Music Education
This Bachelor of Music in Music Education Program stars graduates who are sought after by school districts and are currently teaching all over the country. Students learn instructional techniques and classroom management skills while performing with a variety of ensembles similar to the ones they will supervise in schools. The education program has a contemporary curriculum designed to assist future teachers in fostering a lifelong love of music in their own students. To receive the degree and certification in music education, all candidates must meet all the requirements outlined in the education department section of the university catalog. Please refer to all standards, policies, and admissions/retention criteria specified for all education majors seeking a degree from Mercyhurst University and certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Fast Facts
- Mercyhurst is the only institution in the Erie area that offers accredited Music Degree Programs. Our five programs are B.A. in music, B.M. in composition, B.M. in performance, B.M. in music therapy, and B.M. in music education.
- Generous performance scholarships are available for music students.
- With the B.A. music degree, enjoy the flexibility of pursuing a minor in an outside area, or perhaps even a double major, to enhance your career options and graduate school opportunities.
- All majors enroll every semester in at least one large ensemble—such as concert choir, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, or civic orchestra. Choose from one of eight small ensembles. All ensembles are open to non-music majors as well.
- As a Music Education major, your student-teaching placement will provide you with excellent hands-on classroom experience. Find professional development and networking in our chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
- MUS 140/240: Large Ensemble (Four semesters, one credit each)
- MUS 1##/2##: Lessons on Instrument/Voice/Composition (Four semesters, one credit, 30-minute lessons per week)
- MUS 101/102: Theory I and II (Two semesters, three credits each)
- MUS 109/113: Theory and Aural Lab I and II (Two semesters, zero credits each)
- MUS 111/112: Aural Skills I and II (Two semesters, one credit each)
- MUS 104: Music History I (Antiquity to 1750); Fall semester only
- MUS 105: Music History II (1750 to the present); Spring semester only
- MUS 114: Music and Media; Fall and spring semesters
- MUS 206: Orchestral/Chamber Music Lit.; Spring semester, alternating years
- MUS 207: World Music/Jazz History; Fall semester only
The music minor involves 19 credits in music theory, aural skills, music history, ensembles, and applied instruction on your instrument or voice.
One Music History course (Three credits), chosen from the following:
Learning Outcomes
- Possess an appropriate understanding of music theory and the skills to properly read and compose music
- Identify significant events, innovations, and composers in music history and identify pieces within each major historical period
- Exhibit a proficient level of piano performance
- Attain an acceptable level of performance proficiency on their respective major instrument
- Obtain an appreciation for and necessary skills to properly evaluate other's musical performances
- Grow musically and socially by participating in musical ensembles
An organization of American music educators dedicated to advancing and preserving music education as part of the core curriculum of schools in the United States. All music education majors at Mercyhurst are required to be members of our chapter.
Meet the Faculty
Music Education
Rebecca Wunch
Mary A. Spadafor Endowed Chair of Music, D’Angelo Department of Music; Director, Sullivan Conservatory of Music, Instructor, Clarinet, Theory/Aural Skills, Woodwind Ensemble
Brittany Barko Krugger, M.M., MT-BC, NMT
Director, Music Therapy Program; Assistant Professor; Director of Liturgical Music
