Our degree and state certification program in music education is a comprehensive k-12 experience that prepares our students to be dynamic leaders in their field. Our successful job placement rate is a direct result of the diversity and hands-on approach our curriculum offers. From the very first semester, students in music education are in the field working side by side in partnerships with expert area school music teachers. These partnerships give our students the advantage of leaving our program with four years of experiences in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.
Over the four years on campus, students in music education become aware of themselves as socially and culturally embedded, understand that they and their students bring prior musical knowledge and practice into the classroom, construct environments where prior knowledge and practices are honored, and are able to examine the relationships between schools and other sources of music learning.
We encourage students in our program to be the strongest possible performers who inspire young people with their musical skills. Candidates become proficient in piano, guitar, and all ensemble instruments and learn a wide variety of world and classroom instruments ranging from gamelan to recorder. In addition, they become familiar with technologies that facilitate music making and music learning, such as dj-ing on our campus radio station, using interactive whiteboards and slates, and working in music production and recording labs.
Our students are strong researchers and practitioners who explore and create new ways of teaching and learning that are inclusive, relevant and able to meet the needs of diverse student populations. Candidates learn to reach all students by applying their knowledge of child psychology and development, using multiple forms of assessment, and embedding assessments in their music learning activities. Music education majors explore a variety of methodologies and pedagogies in world and popular music, as well as develop a solid foundation in choral, band, and orchestral teaching and conducting at the elementary and secondary levels.
Students at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music are known as leaders at the district, region, and state levels in music education. All majors in music education participate as members of the National Association for Music Education Collegiate chapter on campus and attend and participate at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association district, region and state conferences. Currently, both the acting PCMEA President and Region V Coordinators of Pennsylvania are students in our program.
For more information about becoming a music education major, please contact Dr. Amanda Heim, Conservatory Coordinator of Recruitment and Outreach.