The Department of Music Education prepares talented and dedicated students to meet the challenges of teaching choral, instrumental and general music in the coming years. The Music Education curriculum combines the rigor of conservatory training with a solid foundation in educational methodology. The program includes observation and participation in public schools starting in the sophomore year and continuing throughout the degree program, culminating in the student teaching experience in the senior year. This intensive full time student teaching experience, with additional professional feedback from faculty and public school teachers, is the culmination of the degree leading to State of Ohio teacher licensure. The department has established a reputation across Ohio and beyond for the consistent high quality of its graduates both as musicians and as educators.
Music Education majors seeking an international experience can elect to study for a semester at the Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary. Music Education students also have the opportunity to use the latest technology for teaching and performing, take 7 semesters of applied study with expert faculty in the Instrumental, Keyboard or Voice Areas, participate in superb ensembles both large and small, work with many of the finest educators across the state, and be involved in the Capital chapter of Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (an affiliate of the Ohio Music Education Association ), the college chapter of ACDA (American Choral Directors' Association), and CCKE (Capital Collegiate Kodály Educators - an affiliate with the Organization of the American Kodály Educators).
In addition, the Department of Music Education offers two graduate programs:
Music Education Department Faculty
Instrumental/Vocal
- James Swearingen, chair
Intro to Music Education
Elementary/Middle School Field Experience
- Dr. Jeff Keller Conducting
- Charles Miller High School Field Experience
Instrumental
- James Swearingen
Marching Band & Jazz Band Methods,
Instrumentation/Orchestration,
Pedagogy for Instrumental Music Programs
- Nathan Anders - Percussion Methods
- Cynthia Cioffari Woodwind Methods
- Dr. Lisa A. Jelle Woodwind Methods
- Dr. Barry E. Kopetz Instrumental Conducting
- Sydney Townsend String Methods
- Dr. Gail Lehto Zugger Woodwind Methods
- Dr. Thomas Zugger Brass Methods
Vocal
- Prof. Tracy Herrmann
Student Teaching Oberservation,
Pedagogy for Early and Middle Childhood Vocal Music Programs
- Sharon Bennett Vocal Pedagogy
- Dr. Lynda Hasseler Choral Conducting, Choral Methods
- Dr. Jeff Keller Survey of Instrumental Teaching Methods
- Prof. Craig Choral Arranging