Music Education (BMME)
https://musicanddance.uoregon.edu/music-education
The UO’s music education program is among the most comprehensive and innovative in the western United States, and the only one in Oregon to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Our faculty members provide expertise in band, choral, elementary general, and string music education. UO is among only a handful of West Coast schools to offer music teacher licensure within the four-year bachelor’s degree.
For more than two decades, nearly 100 percent of UO music education graduates seeking employment as K–12 public school music teachers have received job offers upon graduation. Our alumni teach throughout the United States and internationally, including in China, Italy, Spain, and Vietnam. For future music teachers, a UO music education degree signals outstanding preparation through a rigorous and comprehensive program.
Program's Admission Requirements
Please visit the program's website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- General Studies - Competencies: Think, speak, and write clearly and effectively.
- General Studies - Competencies: A familiarity with fields of study beyond music such as those in the arts and humanities, the natural and physical sciences, and the social sciences.
- General Studies - Competencies: A functional awareness of the differences and commonalities regarding work in artistic, scientific, and humanistic domains.
- General Studies - Competencies: Awareness that multiple disciplinary perspectives and techniques are available to consider all issues and responsibilities including, but not limited to history, culture, moral and ethical issues, and decision-making.
- General Studies - Competencies: The ability to identify possibilities and locate information in other fields that have bearing on musical questions and endeavors.
- Common Body of Musical Knowledge and Skills -Performance: Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music degree.
- Common Body of Musical Knowledge and Skills -Performance: An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory.
- Common Body of Musical Knowledge and Skills -Performance: The ability to read at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the major performance area, a level of skill relevant to professional standards appropriate for the particular music degree.
- Common Body of Musical Knowledge and Skills -Performance: Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation. Rehearsal and conducting skills are required as appropriate to the particular music degree.
- Common Body of Musical Knowledge and Skills -Performance: Keyboard competency.
- Common Body of Musical Knowledge and Skills -Performance: Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences. Ensembles should be varied both in size and nature.
- Musicianship Skills and Analysis: An understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, the ability to employ this understanding in aural, verbal, and visual analyses, and the ability to take aural dictation.
- Musicianship Skills and Analysis: Sufficient understanding of and capability with musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge and skill in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly, and pedagogical applications according to the requisites of their specializations.
- Musicianship Skills and Analysis: The ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
- Composition/Improvisation: Students must acquire a rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music: written, electronic, or improvisatory forms and methods. These may include but are not limited to the creation of original compositions or improvisations, variations or improvisations on existing materials, experimentation with various sound sources, the imitation of musical styles, and manipulating the common elements in non-traditional ways. A basic understanding of how to work freely and cogently with musical materials in various composition-based activities, particularly those most associated with the major field shall be demonstrated.
- History and Repertory: Students must acquire basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time, including study and experience of musical language and achievement in addition to that of the primary culture encompassing the area of specialization.
- Synthesis: While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate study students must be able to work on musical problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal, and visual analysis; composition/improvisation; and history and repertory.
Music Education Major Requirements
The minimum grade requirement of B- will applies to all coursework towards the degree that contains the MUE subject code, as well as MUS 155, MUS 156, MUS 484 and MUS 486.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
MUS 131–133 | Music Theory I-III | 6 |
MUS 231–233 | Music Theory IV-VI | 6 |
MUS 134–136 | Aural Skills I-III | 6 |
MUS 234 | Aural Skills IV | 2 |
MUS 235 | Aural Skills V | 2 |
MUS 137–139 | Keyboard Skills I-III | 3 |
MUS 267 | History of Music 800 to 1600 | 4 |
MUS 268 | Survey of Music History 1600 to 1800 | 4 |
MUS 269 | Survey of Music History 1800 to Present | 4 |
MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
MUS 327 | Analysis: [Topic] (one term) | 3 |
Music Education Core | ||
MUE 126 | Orientation to Music Education | 1 |
PSY 202 | Mind and Society | 4 |
MUE 326 | Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
MUE 406 | Field Studies: [Topic] (Practicum Public Schools (Two, 2 credit courses)) | 4 |
MUE 407 | Seminar: [Topic] (Student Teaching) | 1 |
MUE 412 | Elementary Music Methods | 3 |
MUE 429 | Music in Special Education | 3 |
MUE 430 | Music Classroom Management | 3 |
MUE 486 | Teaching Laboratory II | 1 |
MUE 432 | Music in School and Society | 3 |
MUE 438 | Curricular Strategies in Music Education | 3 |
Ensemble, ten terms 1, 2 | 19 | |
Performance Studies 3 | 18 | |
Specialty Requirements | 17-26 | |
Total Credits | 127-136 |
1 | For band track students only, during the first nine terms, all students enroll in a conducted large ensemble. During the 10th term, students enroll in Small Jazz Ensemble: [Topic] (MUJ 395). |
2 | Students receiving a School of Music and Dance scholarship enroll in a conducted large ensemble for 11 terms. |
3 | Six terms at the MUP 265 level and three terms at the MUP 365 level, with concurrent enrollment in assigned ensemble. |
Band Specialty
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MUE 387 | Teaching Laboratory I | 1 |
MUE 388 | Teaching Laboratory I | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Saxophone Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Flute, Clarinet) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (High Brass) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Low Brass) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Oboe, Bassoon) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Percussion) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Strings) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Voice) | 1 |
MUE 407 | Seminar: [Topic] (Band Materials) | 3 |
MUE 411 | Band Methods | 3 |
MUE 455 | Marching Band Methods | 3 |
MUS 486 | Instrumental Conducting | 3 |
Total Credits | 22 |
Choral Specialty
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MUS 155–156 | Introduction to Lyric Diction | 4 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (High Brass OR Low Brass Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Flute/Clarinet Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Percussion Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (High String Tech OR Low String Tech) | 1 |
MUE 386–388 | Teaching Laboratory I | 3 |
MUE 413 | Secondary Choral Methods | 3 |
MUE 442 | Teaching Singing in the Classroom | 3 |
MUS 484 | Choral Conducting and Literature | 3 |
MUP 163 | Functional Piano (Taken three times) | 6 |
Total Credits | 26 |
Elementary Specialty
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MUE 386–388 | Teaching Laboratory I | 3 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Flute, Clarinet) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Percussion Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (High Brass Tech OR Low Brass Tech) | 1 |
MUE 413 | Secondary Choral Methods | 3 |
MUE 420 | Contemporary Methods in Music Education | 3 |
MUE 442 | Teaching Singing in the Classroom | 3 |
MUS 486 | Instrumental Conducting | 3 |
MUP 163 | Functional Piano (Taken three times) | 6 |
Total Credits | 24 |
Strings Specialty
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (High Brass Tech OR Low Brass Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Flute/Clarinet Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (High String Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Low String Tech) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Percussion) | 1 |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Voice) | 1 |
MUE 387 | Teaching Laboratory I | 1 |
MUE 388 | Teaching Laboratory I | 1 |
MUE 407 | Seminar: [Topic] (String Materials) | 3 |
MUE 456 | String Methods | 3 |
MUS 486 | Instrumental Conducting | 3 |
Total Credits | 17 |
Other Requirements
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 and at least two years in residence. Students must achieve a B– or better in all courses with the MUE subject code. Those failing to do so must retake the course before enrolling in student teaching
- Continued enrollment in the music education program, for which students typically apply at the end of their sophomore year, requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, a grade of B– or better in Foundations of Music Education (MUE 326), a successfully completed audition and application, and faculty approval
Choral option: Students must also pass three terms of Functional Piano (MUP 163). Students whose primary performance is piano or any other wind, percussion, or stringed instrument, must also complete three terms of voice performance studies at MUP 265.
Elementary option: Students must also pass three terms of Functional Piano (MUP 163). Students whose primary performance is piano or any other wind, percussion, or stringed instrument must also complete one term of voice performance studies at MUP 265.
Instrumental Option (Band and Orchestra). Piano, organ, recorder, harp, guitar, or other nontraditional instruments may not be used to meet the primary studio option requirements. String speciality students are also required to complete one term of studio instruction on a secondary string instrument at MUP 265.
The current music education checklist is available from the music undergraduate office.
Four-Year Degree Plan
The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students shoulc consult their advisor to determine the best path for then.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 | |
MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 | |
MUS 137 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 265 | Music Performance Studies: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 | |
Credits | 13 | ||
Winter | |||
MUS 132 | Music Theory II | 2 | |
MUS 135 | Aural Skills II | 2 | |
MUS 138 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 265 | Music Performance Studies: [Topic] | 2 | |
WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
Science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Credits | 17 | ||
Spring | |||
Placeholder | |||
MUS 133 | Music Theory III | 2 | |
MUS 136 | Aural Skills III | 2 | |
MUS 139 | Keyboard Skills III | 1 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 265 | Music Performance Studies: [Topic] | 2 | |
WR 123 | College Composition III | 4 | |
MUE 126 Orientation to Music Education | 1 | ||
Credits | 14 | ||
Total Credits | 44 |
Second Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
MUS 231 | Music Theory IV | 2 | |
MUS 234 | Aural Skills IV | 2 | |
MUS 267 | History of Music 800 to 1600 | 4 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 265 | Music Performance Studies: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] High brass | 1 | |
Science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Credits | 17 | ||
Winter | |||
MUS 232 | Music Theory V | 2 | |
MUS 235 | Aural Skills V | 2 | |
MUS 268 | Survey of Music History 1600 to 1800 | 4 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 265 | Music Performance Studies: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] Low brass | 1 | |
Credits | 13 | ||
Spring | |||
MUS 233 | Music Theory VI | 2 | |
MUS 269 | Survey of Music History 1800 to Present | 4 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 265 | Music Performance Studies: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUE 326 | Foundations of Music Education | Enrollment checkpoint | 3 |
Credits | 13 | ||
Total Credits | 43 |
Third Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
MUS 327 | Analysis: [Topic] | 3 | |
MUE 407 | Seminar: [Topic] (Band materials) | 3 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 365 | Music Performance Studies | 2 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] Flute and clarinet | 1 | |
PSY 202 | Mind and Society Social science group-satisfying course | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | ||
Winter | |||
MUE 410 | Experimental Course: [Topic] Jazz Methods | 3 | |
MUE 406 | Field Studies: [Topic] MUE 410 corequisite | 1 | |
MUS 486 | Instrumental Conducting | 3 | |
MUE 387 | Teaching Laboratory I MUS 486 corequisite | 1 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 365 | Music Performance Studies | 2 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Saxophone) | 1 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Percussion) | 1 | |
MUE 432 | Music in School and Society | 3 | |
Credits | 17 | ||
Spring | |||
MUE 411 | Band Methods | 3 | |
MUE 388 | Teaching Laboratory I MUE 411 corequisite | 1 | |
MUE 406 | Field Studies: [Topic] MUE 411 corequisite | 1 | |
MUS 395 | Band: [Topic] | 2 | |
MUP 365 | Music Performance Studies | 2 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Voice) | 1 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (Oboe/Bassoon) | 1 | |
Arts and letters group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Credits | 15 | ||
Summer | |||
MUE 429 | Music in Special Education | 3 | |
MUE 455 | Marching Band Methods | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | ||
Total Credits | 53 |
Fourth Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
MUE 412 | Elementary Music Methods | 3 | |
MUE 486 | Teaching Laboratory II | 1 | |
MUE 406 | Field Studies: [Topic] | 1 | |
MUE 430 | Music Classroom Management | 3 | |
MUJ 395 | Small Jazz Ensemble: [Topic] (Music education small group) | 1 | |
MUE 392 | Instrumental Techniques: [Topic] (String techniques) | 1 | |
Social science group course that satisfies multicultural requirement | 4 | ||
Science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Credits | 18 | ||
Winter | |||
MUE 407 | Seminar: [Topic] (Licensure course) | 3 | |
MUS 439 | Scoring for Voices and Instruments | 3 | |
MUE 438 | Curricular Strategies in Music Education | 3 | |
Arts and letters group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Social science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Credits | 17 | ||
Spring | |||
MUE 406 | Field Studies: [Topic] (Student teaching) | 12 | |
MUE 407 | Seminar: [Topic] (Licensure course) | 1 | |
Credits | 13 | ||
Total Credits | 48 |