School of Music students in the string quartet practice in a recital hall

Music Education Multi-Award Master's Program at Fredonia

Music Education is at the heart and soul of what Fredonia does best, and our graduates have gone on to enjoy highly successful and fulfilling careers as music educators across New York state and beyond. Fredonia believes music education is one of the most noble and rewarding career paths, and we strive to create an ideal environment for the training of future music educators. Music education majors receive hands-on teaching experiences in the public schools beginning in the second semester of their freshman year.

The Fredonia Difference

Fredonia recognizes the value of your time and money. We are the only school with a NYS-registered multi-award MUSB/MM degree in Music Education. This means you can earn your degree and certification faster, and start teaching sooner. Enter a freshman, leave a professional. We believe that a good teacher is a good musician, and good musicians like to make music. Music education majors enjoy weekly one-hour private studio lessons in their primary performance medium with our leading artist faculty for six or seven semesters, plus weekly master classes with other members of the studio, all culminating in the required performance of a Graduation Recital.

Music education majors also have the same opportunities as other majors to participate in auditioned ensembles and to compete for performance honors. Music Education majors receive 4 semesters of instruction in conducting; instruction in the performance and pedagogy of woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion; and instruction in music education foundations and methods from music education specialist faculty. Private instruction is available, pending studio space, in secondary instruments.

Career Opportunities for Music Education Multi-Award

  • Music classroom teacher
  • Community music teacher
  • Private studio teacher
  • Music school founder/director

It's Different Here

100%

Job placement

Fredonia's Music Education program’s placement rate is top notch.

One-hour private lessons

Music Education majors receive weekly one-hour lessons with our artist faculty (same as our Performance majors)

200

Hours

Students typically receive 200 hours of direct field experience in as many as five different schools or districts before student teaching.

Why Music Education at Fredonia?

music education students play instruments

Masters in Five

Our unique Master’s in Five program allows you to get your degree faster, and start teaching sooner. Enter as a freshman, leave a professional.

Future music teachers serve as both student and instructor in a small-group practice in Mason Hall.

Integration with Education

Music education majors also receive intensive conducting training and benefit from professional Education courses taught by highly specialized faculty dedicated to teaching and student learning.

fredonia symphony orchestra

Excellence

Fredonia has been known and recognized for excellence in music and music education for over 100 years.

Sample Courses

MUED 250 Foundations of Music Education I

Study human and musical developmental processes and variations, including: the impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level, personal health and safety, nutrition, past or present abusive or dangerous environment, and factors in the home, school, and community on students’ readiness to learn.

MUED 291 Technology in Music I

An overview of technology in one's musical life. Basic technological concepts are explored with the goal of developing self sufficiency, and the means to update knowledge and skills in music, with a focus towards utilization of technology in future teaching and study.

MUED 300 Foundations in Music Education III

Study history, philosophy, and role of education, including philosophy of music, education, and music education.

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