Requirements

Major in Music Education

Requirements for the Major in Music Education:

Fifteen credits total—13 credits in music, 2 credits in education

This major must be completed concurrently with the Education Department’s K-12 Teacher Licensure program. See the Education Department for more information.

MUSIC THEORY (3 courses):

  • MUSC 251: Music Theory I (pre-requisite: MUSC 150, successful testing into MUSC 251, or permission of instructor)
  • MUSC 252: Music Theory II
  • MUSC 351: Music Theory III: Atonal Systems and Theory of Jazz, Rock and World Music  OR MUSC 352: Form and Tonal Analysis

MUSIC HISTORY/CULTURE (3 courses):

  • MUSC 360: History of Western Art Music I
  • MUSC 361: History of Western Art Music II
  • MUSC 217: World Music Survey

MUSIC EDUCATION (7 courses—5 credits in music, 2 credits in education):

  • EDUC 170: Foundations of Music Teaching and Learning (pre-requisite for all other MUSE classes)
  • MUSE 271: The Art of Teaching Winds and Percussion
  • MUSE 272: The Art of Teaching String Instruments
  • MUSE 273: The Art of Teaching Instrumental Ensembles
  • MUSE 274: The Art of Teaching Choral Ensembles
  • EDUC 275: Teaching Music in the Elementary School
  • EDUC 422: Discipline-Specific K-12 Curriculum and Instructional Design for Music (Senior Seminar in Music Education.  In conjunction with EDUC 419, this course meets the senior seminar requirement for the K-12 Teacher Licensure program.)

MUSIC PERFORMANCE:

  • All music education majors must complete weekly 60-minute lessons on their primary instrument/voice for each semester while a declared major. Students must complete MUSA 200-level, 300-level, & 400-level to graduate. Should students complete this sequence before the semester prior to student teaching, the student will continue to take MUSA 400-level (repeatable for credit) each semester they are in residence at the college and not student teaching. Successful passing of a jury performance each semester is required to advance to the next level of lessons. As a capstone performance experience, the music education majors will be required to perform at least a 30-minute recital in the semester preceding their student teaching, including a recital jury to be successfully passed no less than 30 days prior to the recital. Students are to register for MUSA 412 their final semester of lessons prior to student teaching.
  • Music education students must participate in at least 1 ensemble per semester from the time a student declares the major through the rest of the student’s time at Lake Forest College with the exception of the student teaching semester. This participation must include at least one semester in a vocal ensemble (concert choir; men’s chorus or women’s chorus), one semester in an instrumental ensemble (concert band, jazz band, orchestra), and one semester in the West African Drumming Ensemble. Ensembles can earn one quarter-credit each semester but students should enroll for no credit unless advised otherwise by their advisor.

  • Music education students must complete at least two semesters of MUSA 123 Applied Conducting to graduate. These applied lessons should be taken during the student’s junior or senior year prior to student teaching.

PIANO PROFICIENCY:

All music education students must pass a piano proficiency exam by the end of their sophomore year. Students will be tested at the beginning of their sophomore year. If students are unable to successfully pass any element of the exam, half-hour music education piano lessons (not for credit) will be required until successful proficiency is achieved.

Students must earn a minimum grade of B- in all courses used to fulfill the Music Education major. Courses taken Pass-NoPass (with the exception of internships) will not count toward the major. See the Education Department’s policy for further details regarding GEC and Education requirements.

Requirements for the Minor

At least 6 credits:

  • EDUC/MUSE/MUSC 170: Foundations of Music Teaching and Learning (pre-requisite for all other MUSE courses)
  • 1 of the following courses:
    • MUSE 271: The Art of Teaching Winds and Percussion
    • MUSE 272: The Art of Teaching String Instruments
    • MUSE 273: The Art of Teaching Instrumental Ensembles
    • MUSE 274: The Art of Teaching Choral Ensembles
    • EDUC 275: The Art of Teaching Elementary General Music
  • EDUC 210: Observing the Schooling Process
  • MUSC 251: Music Theory I
  • 1 of the following courses:
    • MUSC 360: History of Western Art Music I
    • MUSC 361: History of Western Art Music II
    • MUSC 217: World Music Survey
  • MUSA 111: 1 Semester of applied lessons on instrument/voice (.5 credit)
  • 2 Semesters of Lake Forest College ensemble participation (.25 credit each):
    • MUSC 104: Men’s Chorus
    • MUSC 105: Women’s Chorus
    • MUSC 106: College/Community Chorus
    • MUSC 107: Concert Band
    • MUSC 108: Chamber Orchestra
    • MUSC 109: West African Drumming Ensemble
    • MUSC 110: Jazz Ensemble
    • MUSC 204: Singing Statesmen
    • MUSC 205: Advanced Women’s Chorale
    • MUSC 206: Concert Choir

The minor must consist of at least eight courses (6 credits), including four courses that do not double count in the student’s major or other minor. Music Education minors may take courses Pass-NoPass with the approval of the program chair.