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Vocal Emphasis

This program is for students who want to teach music. You can choose either a vocal emphasis or an instrumental emphasis. In addition to music courses, you'll take courses in education to be prepared to teach kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements stated below, students must complete 34-35 hours of General Education, all requirements for a Bachelor of Music degree, and any additional hours needed to reach the minimum 120 credit hours required for graduation. Some of the courses below may also fulfill general education or other degree requirements.  Please see your advisor for more information.

Students seeking certification to teach Vocal Emphasis must also be formally admitted to the University’s Professional Teacher Education Programs.

Required Courses Inside Department
Theory
MU 120Fundamentals of Music Theory 12
MU 122Rhythm Perception-Music Majors (proficiency requirements for 4th semester jury performance exam) 11
MU 123Integrating Technology in Music1
MU 215Music Theory I3
MU 314Music Theory II3
MU 315Music Theory III3
MU 316Music Theory IV3
MU 217Aural Skills I1
MU 311Aural Skills II1
MU 312Aural Skills III1
MU 317Orchestration2
Music History and Literature
MU 325Music History I3
MU 326Music History II3
MU 327Music History III2
Music Lessons
Applied Lessons in concentration area (MU 070 a required enrollment each semester)12
Piano - Students must take at least 2 hours of group piano or piano lessons and pass the Piano Proficiency Exam prior to the 4th Semester Jury. Students must enroll in Group Piano until the Piano Proficiency Exam is passed. For most, the following are required:
MU 133Group Piano I1
MU 134Group Piano II1
MU 213Group Piano III (or until the Piano Proficiency Exam is passed)1
MU 214Group Piano IV (or until the Piano Proficiency Exam is passed)1
Ensembles
Large Ensembles 26
Small Ensembles1
Vocalists: MU 250 / MU 450 Washburn Opera Studio
Conducting
MU 237Choral Lab (requirement for conducting courses, enroll for 0 credit)0
MU 238Instrumental Lab (requirement for conducting courses, enroll for 0 credit)0
MU 240Beginning Conducting1
MU 441Advanced Choral Conducting1
MU 442Advanced Instrumental Conducting1
Techniques / Pedagogy
MU 208Guitar Techniques1
Select 3 of the 4 remaining Instrumental Techniques courses: 3
Woodwind Techniques
Brass Techniques
String Techniques
Percussion Techniques
MU 220Vocal Diction I2
MU 222Vocal Diction II2
MU 320Form and Analysis2
Music Education
MU 150Introduction to Music Education 31
MU 313Foundations of Elementary Music Education 32
MU 417Secondary Choral Methods 33
MU 418Elementary/Secondary Music Education Instrumental Methods 33
MU 420Jazz Band Pedagogy1
MU 421Marching Band Pedagogy1
Required Courses Outside Department
CN 150Public Speaking3
ED 285Educational Psychology3
ED 302Teaching Exceptional Learners3
ED 440Student Teaching Grades P-1212
HI 105/MU 106Introduction to World Music and its History3
Total Hours100
1

Students must enroll in this course for credit if they do not pass the entrance exam.

2

​Students must enroll in 2 large ensembles each semester - one must be the major ensemble for the primary performance concentration.

Voice, Keyboard, Strings: Marching Band is required for at least one semester.

3

Courses that require fieldwork outside of class.