Page 76 - 2020 Classical Singer Magazine January Summer Program Issue

The Music Major Minute
Why Major in Music Education?
BY CHRISTI AMONSON
Don’t view an education degree as Plan B. Bene ts to this route are many, including shared artistry and stability.
Christi Amonson
Have you been reading
the trending articles about college graduates struggling to find work in their chosen field of study? This is not a problem if you answer yes to the following:
• Do you love teaching?
• Are you ready to change the
degree can increase your salary by 20–30 percent, depending on the state where you teach.
The current music education student is essentially double majoring in music and education. As a vocal music education major, you will take the same theory, sight-singing, and music history classes as vocal performance majors. You take weekly private lessons and work toward a full junior or senior
recital, depending on your school requirements. All university music departments partner with education departments, and there is an entrance exam to be admitted into the required education courses for the degree.
Upperclassmen will be required to complete observation hours, and the final semester of the degree is an internship, a.k.a. student teaching. The student teaching experience is typically the final semester of an undergraduate degree. Student teachers are placed with collaborating teachers to assist and learn on the job how to put theoretical knowledge into practice. Welcome to the real world of rehearsing and performing in the cafetoriums of public schools within your university’s jurisdiction!
Once upon a time, music education might have been a “fallback” degree—but as RuPaul says, “Not today, Satan, not today!” There are many requirements that will be exciting for those who
•
world?
Do you have the talent and patience to guide the
youth of tomorrow?
The most common reason music majors choose an education degree is to certify for public classroom teaching. There is currently a national shortage of certified music teachers, so most graduates looking for work will be able to find jobs teaching general elementary music or middle school and high school choirs. Smaller schools might hire a teacher to
cover both middle and high school choir or possibly K–12 general music. Private schools do not require certification, but they often offer incentives for teachers to get certification or a master of education degree because it can improve their accreditation.
If public school teaching sounds like a good fit for you, then a master of music or a master of education
76 Classical Singer / Jan/Feb 2020