Activities and Opportunities
The School of Music offers exceptional opportunities for music education students at every level. The student MENC chapter is the largest in the state and has been named one of three outstanding chapters in the United States. The Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity has been selected as one of the top ten chapters in the nation. The UNC Collegiate Chapter of ASTA WITH NSOA provides opportunity for string pedagogy workshops and student camaraderie for university string majors.

The combination of the Music Technology Center and the Skinner Music Library allows the School of Music to provide avenues of exploration for students and music educators. These facilities offer experience with the latest technology in music education, research, composition and recording. Computer-assisted instruction in music history, theory, and keyboard are offered through a complete electronic piano/computer laboratory, computer synthesis workstations, and interactive audio/video facilities. Students have access to Macintosh and PC computers for research, for computer-assisted instruction and for evaluation of music education software programs.

Degree Programs and Objectives
The UNC School of Music offers a full range of degree programs, bachelor through doctoral, with emphases in performance, music education, music history and literature, composition, performance/pedagogy, conducting, jazz studies, musical theatre and opera theatre.

Undergraduate programs in music education are elected during the freshman year. Students enjoy outstanding instruction in instrumental, choral and general music education. UNC Music Education graduates are eligible for Colorado K-12 music teacher licensure and are also readily accepted for graduate study at institutions across the nation, as well as at UNC.

All degree programs require you to become highly proficient in performance and academic areas and to demonstrate a high level of musicianship as well as scholarship. You will develop and enhance practice techniques along with the basic skills needed in performing, composing, arranging and understanding music of many styles and periods. In addition to your applied music studies, you will have the opportunity to develop research skills and scholarship tools. Development of your teaching skills is a critical component of every aspect of the curriculum.

DEGREES IN MUSIC EDUCATION
Bachelor of Music Education
This is a teaching degree leading to licensure as a K-12 music teacher.
BACHELOR of MUSIC EDUCATION ADVISING HANDBOOK , click here to download PDF

Master of Music (Music Education Emphasis)
The Master of Music degree is intended to assist the professional K-12 music teacher to develop and enrich musical competencies, professional understandings and skills, and personal qualities that are essential for success in a world and profession characterized by perpetual change. The program’s structure allows extensive flexibility in designing an in-depth program based on individual career interests and professional orientation.

Doctor of Arts (Music Education emphasis)
The Doctor of Arts degree emphasizes the philosophy, psychology, and history of music education, as well as research. It includes scholarship and musicianship through study in the areas of music history and literature, theory, composition and performance. This degree program places primary emphasis on a comprehensive working knowledge of contemporary music education practices in public school and college music programs and community cultural life. Numerous options exist for secondary emphases.

Private Study
For undergraduates, an important aspect of your music education program will be the applied study of your chosen performance medium (instrumental or voice). Graduate students in the Masters or Doctoral programs in music may elect private study as part of their coursework. The School of Music faculty includes nationally recognized artist teachers, with specialists on every instrument. Weekly sessions with your applied teacher will serve as the basis for a thoughtful evaluation of your present needs and development of your future goals. As you study and perform with fine faculty and student musicians, you will develop mutual respect, understanding and friendships—the rewards of joining a distinguished community of artists.

Graduate Placement
Demand for School of Music graduates is often greater than the number of students available to fill positions. A recent North Central Accreditation Report indicated that 95% of all UNC School of Music graduates found placement in their preferred field, with Masters of Music and Doctor of Arts (emphasis in music education) graduate placement at 98%.

UNC-prepared educators hold positions at universities, colleges, high schools, junior high and elementary schools throughout the United States and Canada. Currently more than 100 UNC doctoral graduates, including 15 music deans and directors, are in leadership positions in music schools accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Performance Opportunities
In addition to a rewarding program of study, UNC offers abundant opportunities for you to demonstrate your artistic ability. You will join some 40 faculty and 450 music majors who present more than 250 cultural events each year. The UNC School of Music boasts more than 50 performing ensembles, a number of which are nationally recognized. UNC music students and ensembles are finalists and winners in state, regional, national and international collegiate and professional competitions.