MISSION STATEMENT:
To advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all of our music education majors to the end that they will be prepared to develop musical skills and understandings to the highest potential in their own future students.
PROGRAM GOALS:
• To provide a comprehensive knowledge of music through performance, creation, and description.
• To provide a systematic, experience-based curriculum in the areas of music philosophy, methodology, psychology, pedagogy, and field experience.
• To provide training in the pedagogical skills necessary for teaching all children from birth through grade 12 diverse, sequentially valid, and artistically rich musical experiences.
• To provide an environment that promotes and encourages life-long learning and professional and service-related collaboration.
PROGRAM STANDARDS:
Content Knowledge: The Music Education teaching professionals demonstrate a rich, thorough understanding of content and skill knowledge (processes of creating, performing, and describing), theories, and issues comprising their discipline (mastery of performance/musicianship, conducting, and rehearsing), including an understanding of cognitive, physical, and social development.
Planning and Instruction/Implementation: The Music Education teaching professionals plan and implement effective, developmentally appropriate (intellectually, physically, socially, and psychologically) lessons and curricula based upon sound principles of content knowledge, skill development, and pedagogy. They implement the National Standards in Music Education and use appropriate materials and strategies to develop students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
Positive Learning Environment: The Music Education teaching professionals create safe, healthy, dynamic, and motivational learning environments that encourage every student to meet standards, to develop independence, to become actively involved, and to trust, take risks, and collaborate.
Diversity: The Music Education teaching professionals understand and celebrate the unique nature, abilities, cultures, and characteristics of all learners, including literacy and second language acquisition, and are able to modify instruction so everyone can be successful. They also believe that all students can and should have rich and diverse musical experiences, and they are committed to teach music in a diverse society to all people regardless of individual difference or ability.
Technology: The Music Education teaching professionals effectively utilize technology to enhance students’ learning and professional growth.
Assessment: The Music Education teaching professionals develop and utilize a variety of assessment approaches designed to evaluate student learning and performance, encourage student reflection and self-evaluation, provide feedback, and shape future lesson planning and curricula.
Collaboration and Outreach: The Music Education teaching professionals foster positive relationships and collaborate with a variety of target groups (e.g. students, colleagues, families, local community members, etc.) in order to promote and enhance partnerships within the learning environment.
Professional Development: The Music Education teaching professionals continually seek to improve their knowledge base and effectiveness as teachers and make positive contributions to the culture of their fields. They reflect on their teaching, students’ performance, and developments in their field to extend their knowledge and refine their philosophy of music education.
