Music Education, lots of questions

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I am a junior and obviously very clueless about music education in colleges. I just found out recently that music education majors had to audition! How naive to think that I could just walk right in? >_></p>

<p>So I really want to be a music teacher, I always have. I've done choir, piano, saxophone and drumline, but I'm definitely not up to audition level with any of them. I'm not looking for a conservatory at all, in case with some bizarre twist of events I want to change my major. I'm looking at public universities because my parents freak out at the idea of any private school because of the cost. This is my list so far:</p>

<p>University of Delaware (this is my top choice, campus is beautiful, good music and they have a gymnastics team, I am a gymnast as well, hence my username)
University of Maryland-College Park
UMass-Lowell
SUNY Potsdam and Fredonia
University of the Pacific (only private school, my dad really wants me to go there and has no reason for it o_O)
University of Washington
And my "safeties" are ASU, San Diego State and the University of Arizona</p>

<p>I live in California and, as you can see, I really want to go to the East Coast, but money might be an issue. Its not helpful that none of the UCs have music education majors =(</p>

<p>As far as auditions go, I think I'm a bit screwed. Because of gymnastics, I never took my piano as seriously as I should have and so I am definitely not at the level of everyone else on here, which worries me a lot.
Secondly, how many schools do people audition for? For example, the schools I listed as "safeties" are academic safeties recommended by my counselor. What if I get rejected from all my other schools and have to go there and since I never auditioned, I don't get in the music program? Similarly, its very likely that my parents will not be able to afford for me to travel to audition on the East Coast, should I just drop all those schools and turn my "safeties" into schools I want to go to? Are there audition fees? Are recorded auditions accepted if it doesn't say so on the school's website?</p>

<p>I've heard about taking a "gap year", but that is definitely not for me. I am strong academically and my parents would kill me if I ever considers putting of school, and I would feel terrible about it. Would it be a poor choice to wait and audition after I've already done a year at school? I think its silly you have to audition before you even know if you got in to the school.</p>

<p>At this moment, I feel like my dreams of being a music teacher are pretty much crushed. That just sounds terribly lame. I have no idea what else I would want to do with my life because I love teaching music so much.</p>

<p>Should I forget it and pick a different major? Find different schools? I'm at a loss and I just want to figure out what to do.</p>

2

<p>Hi-
What kind of music teacher do you want to be? Choral/General Music or Instrumental/Band? Pick your instrument (voice is an instrument, too), and focus on that. </p>

<p>If you are really determined, you do have time to work on an audition, but you will need to get a private teacher NOW for this summer and keep working through the fall semester. And working means working- practice like crazy for audition time. </p>

<p>Think about adding UMass-Amherst to your list.</p>

3

<p>pageturner is right about UMass. Note the differences between Lowell and Amherst. The Lowell offering is a masters, not a bachelor’s.</p>

<p>[Department</a> of Music : Music : UMass Lowell](<a href=“http://www.uml.edu/College/arts_sciences/Music/default.html]Department”>http://www.uml.edu/College/arts_sciences/Music/default.html)
[UMass</a> Amherst: Department of Music and Dance: Undergraduate Music Programs and Degrees](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/music/programs_undergrad.php#concentration]UMass”>http://www.umass.edu/music/programs_undergrad.php#concentration)</p>

<p>And she’s also right about the need to pick a specialty and begin formal intensive training.</p>

<p>Music ed is typically most cost effective at an instate school, and if you do plan to teach in your home state, there may be deficiencies in another state’s program than might throw a wrench in ititial certification and licensure. Either sopranomom92 or Singersmom07 had posted a rather detailed description of the CA requirements, and if I find it, I’ll link it.</p>

<p>I’d suggest you do a title search within the music forum for both “music ed” and “music education” (use the quotes), and do a comprehensive reading on what already has been written. The search tips here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/892168-search-tips-other-insights.html?highlight=search[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/892168-search-tips-other-insights.html?highlight=search&lt;/a&gt; may help.</p>

<p>There are a few BA programs that will admit you on a provisional basis, and require an evaluation in the sophmore year to continue within the program. Unfortunately, I cannot remember specific schools.</p>

<p>If you have not yet done so, please read this as well <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Hi
My D is currently a music ed major at University of Delaware going into her sophmore year, The audition is tough there because of the limited size of the music school. She also got into U of Arizona and Arizona State University. We visited U of Arizona in August before her senior year and they auditioned her on the spot since we are from the east coast(very nice of them) they also accepted her on the spot(voice)which was interesting. I guess I’m saying the audition is laid back there. ASU was even more bizare my D didn’t go to the audition there because she was already accepted to other schools and she had them ranked lower on her list(they didn’t offer her an audition when we visited that august). In march we were informed she was accepted in the music school based on her application with no audition. Your dream is not dead. Pick your best instrament,go on the school web sites for audition requirements. You can go to a local college find an upperclassmen music major to give you lessons to prepare for an audition young music students love the idea of making even a little money in the field do it now you still have time. Are you sure no California school offers music ed in their state system?</p>

5

<p>Just a note (sorry about the pun)…you need to check the costs of these out of state public universities. Your cost of attendance there will be much higher than for instate students. If your parents are concerned about the costs, you need to be sure that the cost you will pay as an out of state resident won’t exceed their ability to pay.</p>

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<p>Edit…I checked only one…Cal State Fresno…they seem to offer music education. Cal State Long Beach seems to also…am I reading something incorrectly? It’s possible.</p>

6

<p>I believe there are many many more CSU’s that offer Music Ed, as most of the music teachers in the California schools attended them. I know many music teachers who got their degrees at Cal State East Bay. I don’t have time to research each one, but the OP does. (Ok - just checked out Sacramento State which has a flourishing music department - and, yes, they offer music ed.[Music</a> Education](<a href=“http://www.csus.edu/music/about/BMUE.htm]Music”>http://www.csus.edu/music/about/BMUE.htm)) Also, University of the Pacific in Stockton is another source of many music teachers and offers good aid.</p>

7

<p>CSU Fullerton is a good option. Also, if you have high SAT’s and grades, Chapman will give you excellent merit money, and they do have music ed.</p>

8

<p>I am not sure, but you may find it difficult at some schools to be a music major and on a competitive university gymnastics team. Practices and competitions may conflict with rehearsals and performances for required music ensembles. As you are putting your list of schools together you should make sure to ask BOTH the gymnastics team coach and the music school if it is possible to do both.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

9

<p>UCLA has music ed too</p>

10

<p>This chart shows the ctc-approved subject matter preparation programs:
[State</a> of California](<a href=“http://134.186.81.79/fmi/xsl/CTC_NewSubject/AllSubjects.xsl]State”>http://134.186.81.79/fmi/xsl/CTC_NewSubject/AllSubjects.xsl)
Notice that you’ll need to enroll in one that has a #3 footnote, indicating that the new version of the program is available. The old version is offered at more places than the new one. The disadvantage of studying at a program that is not on the approved list is that you’ll still need to take the subject matter tests before continuing on for your credential. You might call some programs to see if they plan to transition to the new version of the program. My read on this is that CSU is consolidating programs. Also, perhaps the UC system is getting out of the subject matter program prep (all subjects) entirely, since there are NO programs with the “new” version at all.</p>

<p>The CSU schools that have the new version available are: San Diego, Sacramento, Pomona, Northridge, Long Beach, Fullerton, Fresno, Dominguez Hills. UCLA has only the old program. Privates are: UoP, U Redlands, Biola.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for all your help!
Hearing this, I think maybe I’ll just stick to the California area then. As much as I’d love to go to the east coast, I think it would be best of me to stay here, or at least in the west.
I’m not entirely sure though, I’ll have to do some snooping of these schools you all have suggested.
Also though, I go to a really competitive high school and everyone scoffs at Cal States, kids look down on their peers who choose to go to Cal States; are they really that bad?</p>

12

<p>Cal State Colleges - CSU’s are great for specific majors - usually the more practical ones, such as music education. If you know what it is you want - and are not looking for a general liberal arts degree - often you may be better off at a CSU. Yes. they are easier to get into - but often the education you get will be more useful to you in the end. And sometimes they’re just better. The UC’s tend to be more theoretical - the CSU’s more practical. For instance, if you wanted to study either filmmaking - as opposed to film theory, or creative writing - as opposed to literary criticism- in the Bay Area - SF State is a better option than UC Berkeley.
I think for Music Education - the CSU’s will be a better option. If you want to study music theory/history/musicology - the UC’s would be better. Impress your peers with how you’ve risen above peer pressure and picked the school that is right for YOU, not just what everyone says is best.</p>

13

<p>So do you guys think it would be wiser to just stick with California schools that I really be able to go and audition for, or still apply to other schools that are further away and wait a year to go into the music program?</p>

14

<p>It may not hurt to try a few oos publics, or more realistically a few privates where you could reasonably expect to be competitive within the audition pool IF it makes sense that you could take advantage of some stats or academic based scholarships.</p>

<p>On the otherhand, since by your own admission you feel you are not competitive within the audition pools, and at least short term would plan to teach in California, the UC’s are probably your best bet academically and financially.</p>

15

<p>My parents are very anti-private. They think that $38,000 a year means that’s how much they will have to pay, its a bit frustrating. They don’t even want me to apply to private schools =/</p>

<p>Does anybody know if its possible to major in education, minor in music and become a music teacher in the public school system? Or is a degree in music education a must?</p>

<p>At this point, I’m likely to have to wait a year or choose another major. It would be the most logical thing to do, but I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life…</p>

16

<p>You have some aversion to Music Ed in California’s public schools?</p>

17

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<p>Anything is possible, but why make life difficult, potentially more expensive, and maybe having to take additional coursework by not applying to a program designed to achieve the end result? </p>

<p>Licensure is entirely dependent on the specific state’s teaching certification requirements. Besides the general education requirements, the music education curriculum in degree granting programs covers additional applied methodologies and techniques to teach music. Go to one of the professional association websites ASTA, MENC, MTNA and look for a link to state certification requirements. Links to these are within <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/608305-useful-music-links.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/608305-useful-music-links.html&lt;/a&gt;. One of these associations did have a link that charted the fifty states’ requirements, I can’t remember which one.</p>

<p>Or you can google “your state” music educators association. They will have a summary or a direct link to the guidelines for your states current certification requirements.</p>

18

<p>Hey Gymnast, know it’s been about a year since your last reply to this forum, but I just wanted to say that I have the same “I want to be in music ed and nothing else” kind of problem. I’m curious about the decision that you made and I also want to know if CSU education is a good choice for music education. My music director came from CSU Long Beach and told me that these colleges are better when it comes to determining what you get and if it was worth it. So yeah, please reply back and share how your decision was and if you would recommend it to a fellow music lover who wants to spread it to other eager minds. Thanks!
(P.S. Hope you don’t think California is all that bad, considering that I have it pretty rough myself in East L.A.)
(P.P.S. Think you could tell me some good info about the college education program at the school you did choose?)</p>