Music Education
Your First Choice
Music Education in the W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts is a rigorous degree program that combines the best of both worlds: the study of music and the art of teaching. We want our best musicians and students to become the educators of tomorrow. To accomplish that goal, our program focuses on helping our students develop the skills, knowledge, and disposition necessary to become outstanding musicians and inspiring teachers. Superb mentoring by renowned artists/teachers, small class sizes, diverse performance opportunities, and a well-rounded curriculum is ideally suited to guide you to professional success.
Program Information
Vocal
The Vocal Concentration in the Music Education program is typically for students who plan to teach general music and/or conduct a variety of choral and vocal ensembles.
About The Program
For music education majors at McNeese, while preparation for teaching is a primary goal, it is equally important that all students become well-trained musicians. Our outstanding faculty in voice, keyboard, strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion provide superior instruction for all students within the music education program.
Here at McNeese you’ll have the opportunity to:
Participate in bands, choirs and orchestras
Study with renowned musicians and educators
Take one-on-one lessons with faculty members
Gain valuable experience in the classroom
What You’ll Learn
All music education students complete a comprehensive set of music methods courses, which prepare students to teach both general music and relevant ensembles at the elementary, middle and high-school levels. Applied lessons are supplemented by additional music courses covering topics such as conducting, arranging, and the use of music technology in the classroom. Education courses cover effective teaching strategies, principles of childhood development, effective classroom management and current theories in music education.
Music education majors choose an emphasis in either vocal or instrumental music.
Students in the vocal music education concentration take specialized courses in vocal pedagogy, diction and vocal ensemble literature.
Students in the instrumental education concentration take specialized methods courses to learn to play and teach wind, brass, string and percussion instruments.
McNeese’s Music Education Program is Unique
- Clinical experiences in the public schools begin in the first year of study, facilitating an in-depth and participatory knowledge base that few programs offer.
- Teaching experiences throughout the four years include an analysis of the components of effective
teaching and reflective teaching practice. - Our low student to teacher ratio ensures ongoing personal interaction with faculty.
- Our curriculum is comprehensive, balanced and sequential, and students benefit from a liberal arts background that provides a well-rounded education.
- Individual mentoring is a hallmark of our program, where students can pursue their musical and
pedagogical interests in ideal class sizes. - Enhanced connections are made throughout Louisiana, Texas and beyond, via our extensive music education alumni network that is highly regarded across the nation.
- The rigorous program prepares music educators to begin their careers with thorough musical training and a mastery of music education skills, and provides opportunities to participate in the finest ensembles in the region.
Program Contact Information
Coordinator of Music Education
jlemke@mcneese.edu