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students playing recorders in music education course

Music Education Major

Become a music teacher

Do you love music? Do you enjoy working with kids and youth? SBU's music education degree will equip you to become a certified music teacher for all grade levels, K-12.

As a music education major at SBU, you can choose a vocal, instrumental or combination of both vocal and instrumental music education certification.

Learn from faculty in both the music and education academic disciplines, and gain valuable hands-on experiences through classroom field experiences that begin your sophomore year and culminate with a semester-long student teaching experience your senior year.

Start your journey to become a music teacher by applying to SBU today.

The Music Education degree is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Resources

Degree Plan

The SBU Advantage

SBU's music program is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Nearly 100% of music education graduates find positions within their field upon graduation or continue their education at graduate school.
Many of SBU's performance ensembles tour regionally, nationally and even internationally.

Faith Integration

Faculty in SBU's department of music are all professing Christians while also highly acclaimed musicians in their own rights. Courses are intentionally taught through a Christian perspective and the personal faith of the faculty is naturally integrated in how they teach and interact with students.

As a music education major, you will be challenged to consider your classroom as your mission field and intentionally integrate your Christian faith in how you teach, even in a public school environment.

Music Education Careers

Nearly all of SBU's music education graduates pursue teaching positions across the country in both public and private schools. Faculty will work with you to find job opportunities and use their connections to help you network. Your classroom field experiences and student teaching semester also will provide valuable job networking opportunities.

As a music education major, you are encouraged to join SBU's chapter of Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA) to benefit from professional development and networking opportunities as you prepare for your future teaching career.

Graduate Schools

If interested, you can pursue graduate level education after completing your bachelor's degree in music education. Take advantage of the multiple graduate education degrees offered here at SBU including:

"I was very prepared academically for my career. Many of the projects I did in school I have been able to use as lessons in my teaching. Skills I developed at SBU — classroom management, lesson planning and actualizing my teaching philosophy — are what influence my teaching on a daily basis."

Deborah Breon '15

Middle school and high school choir teacher for Monett R-1 Schools (Mo.)

Clubs and Organizations

Pi Kappa Lambda

Join SBU's Zeta Zeta chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society. It is the only music organization recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Each year, a select few of the top junior and senior music majors are voted upon by music faculty to join this distinguished national organization.

Student Advisory Council

Student presidents of Chorale, Concert Choir, Wind Symphony, University Band, Chamber Orchestra, Church Music Conference, and National Association for Music Education, along with a representative of keyboard students and one at-large member comprise the Student Advisory Council. This group serves the department of music by assisting in planning social events, identifying problem areas, and setting goals for the future. By serving on this council, you will help represent other music students to faculty and administration, and grow in leadership opportunities.

Performing Groups

wind symphony performing on stage

More than 15 music performance ensembles provide you many opportunities for developing your music performance skills. Ensemble options include various vocal ensembles, bands, orchestra and more.

Audition for one or more of these groups as you put your learning into action!

Learn about music ensembles

Church Music Conference

Join SBU's student chapter of the national Baptist Church Music conference. Membership is open to all students with an interest in worship leadership regardless of major. By joining this organization you will have the opportunity to attend the annual conference each spring and benefit from fellowship and informational meetings each semester.

Collegiate National Association for Music Education

SBU's collegiate chapter of NafME introduces music education students to the world of professional music educators. In addition to regular on-campus meetings, you also will have the opportunity to attend the Missouri Music Educators Association in-service conference each January.

Full-Time Faculty

Dr. Alex Favazza, Division Head

Dr. Terri Wehmeyer, Professor

Dr. Sarah Howes, Assistant Professor

John Wilson, Assistant Professor

Dr. Melinda Jones, Professor

Faculty Associates

Marc Baker, Percussion

Hannah Fong, Elementary Music Education

Carol Harrison, Violin/Viola

Charlton Miller, HigherGround

Renee Waters, Intro to Music/Theory/Orchestration

Esther Clifton, Cello

Crystal Grosvenor, Intro to Music

Eric Jackson, French Horn

John Trew, Guitar

Tim Wootton, Trumpet

Michelle Draper, Flute

Dawn Gutierrez, Voice

Andy Johnston, Chamber Orchestra

Jeff Waters, Clarinet/Saxophone/Woodwind Ensemble

Scholarships

The majority of SBU music students are selected to receive financial assistance through a music performance scholarship in one or more areas (keyboard, vocal and instrumental). Awards are renewable annually. Requirements for receiving scholarships are listed with each scholarship:

Choral and Instrumental Scholarships — Participate in an assigned role in SBU ensembles
Keyboard Scholarships — Perform assigned accompanying duties for soloists and/or ensembles in the department

All scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.5 minimum grade point average in all college coursework.

Music Scholarship Application (PDF)

Repertoire Guidelines (PDF)

Instrumental MUSIC EDUCATION FOUR YEAR PLAN

Vocal MUSIC EDUCATION FOUR YEAR PLAN

Discover Core Curriculum