Mar 29, 2024  
Graduate Academic Catalog 2015-2016 
    
Graduate Academic Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Music Education


Master of Music Education

Program Description

The Master of Music Education program is designed for students who already possess the Massachusetts Initial License and who wish to pursue additional licensure through the completion of this degree program. The Master of Music Education (M.M.Ed.) degree at Gordon College emphasizes the improvement of music teaching skills. All coursework is relevant to the music classroom and prepares the music educator to become more effective in aiding students’ musical development. While cognitive and academic areas are essential, this degree program recognizes the importance of applying knowledge and theory to the process of teaching.

The M.M.Ed. is a summers-only program except for three (3) hours of Field-Based Teaching Experience or Thesis during the academic year (total 30 hours). Students who take a full load of courses each summer, nine (9) credits, may expect to complete the degree in three summers plus one year to complete the Field-Based Experience or Thesis. Courses meet three weeks online, two weeks in the classroom on campus, suspend for a one-week mini-term during which workshops are offered, and resume for two additional weeks on campus in the classroom.

A maximum of three (3) credits may be earned each summer during workshop week. Workshop credits range from 1.5 credits for a 2.5-day workshop to 3 credits for a full-week workshop. A maximum of six (6) workshop hours count as electives towards the degree. Electives also may be taken as Special Topics or Ensembles, one (1) credit each. Students may also register two times for the MMEA Conference, one (1) credit each.

All students must register for Lab Ensemble each of three summers. This rehearsal/class seminar permits music teachers to be music makers, thus allowing students to learn from one another and the instructor(s) involved. If there are sufficient students registered, the Lab Ensemble will consist of choral, instrumental and general music sections.

Gordon also offers an initial licensure only program for those with an undergraduate degree in music-see separate section for licensure only-and a 12-credit professional license program.

Initial License in Music Education

(Licensure Only, not a degree program)

Program Description

The program in this section is designed for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a liberal arts field and do not yet hold the Initial License in Music. Students will need to have passed the MTEL (Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure) in communication and literacy and in the applicable content areas in music prior to their enrollment in the Initial License program.

With a summer component and evening classes during the academic year, the program is meant to meet the needs of career changers and current educators. Upon completion of the courses listed below and the practicum, the student will be eligible for recommendation to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Initial License. This may enable the student to secure a full-time teaching position while continuing study in the master’s degree program. See Master of Music Education section for M.M.Ed. admission and program requirements.

12-Credit Professional License in Music Education

(Licensure Only, not a degree program)

Program Description

The program in this section is designed for students who have the Initial License in Music, have completed a master’s degree and do not yet hold the Professional License in Music.

Coursework for the 12-credit professional license is derived from the current offerings in the Master of Music Education curriculum, which is a mostly summers-only program. Upon completion of the required courses listed below, the student will be eligible for recommendation to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Professional License. See Master of Music Education section for course descriptions.

Programs

Master

Licensure

Courses

Education

  • EDU 641 - Sheltering English Immersion Endorsement Course for Teachers

    Credits: 3
    The purpose of this course is to prepare teachers with the knowledge and skills to effectively shelter their content instruction so that English language learners (ELLs) can access curriculum, achieve academic success, and contribute their multilingual and multicultural resources in the classroom and beyond. Teachers will have opportunities to practice strategies, analyze their practice, provide and receive feedback, and to reflect on their experiences.

Music

  • GMU 5– - Music Education Workshops

    Credits: 0-3
    Mini-term of one week is held each summer for the presentation of up to 10 workshops that concentrate on advanced instruction in vocal, instrumental (band), general music, strings, and music technology. Workshop length varies from 2.5 days up to 5 days.  Participation is open to music educators will any level of experience.  Degree students may elect up to 6 credits or workshops in three summers.

  • GMU 543 - Woodwind Class

    Credits: 1
    Laboratory course prepares students to teach instruments (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitar, (Orff/Kodaly Method) in public schools.) Techniques of tone production, fingering and class procedure learned through individual and ensemble playing experience under supervision. Group instrument course fee.

  • GMU 544 - Brass Class

    Credits: 1
    Laboratory course prepares students to teach instruments (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitar, (Orff/Kodaly Method) in public schools. Techniques of tone production, fingering and class procedure learned through individual and ensemble playing experience under supervision. Group instrument course fee.

  • GMU 545 - Strings Class

    Credits: 1
    Laboratory course prepares students to teach instruments (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitar, (Orff/Kodaly Method) in public schools. Techniques of tone production, fingering and class procedure learned through individual and ensemble playing experience under supervision. Group instrument course fee.

  • GMU 546 - Percussion Class

    Credits: 1
    Laboratory course prepares students to teach instruments (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitar, (Orff/Kodaly Method) in public schools. Techniques of tone production, fingering and class procedure learned through individual and ensemble playing experience under supervision. Group instrument course fee.

  • GMU 547 - Guitar Class

    Credits: 1
    Laboratory course prepares students to teach instruments (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitar, (Orff/Kodaly Method) in public schools. Techniques of tone production, fingering and class procedure learned through individual and ensemble playing experience under supervision. Group instrument course fee.

  • GMU 550 - Conducting

    Credits: 2
    Studies beat patterns and fundamental baton techniques; laboratory experience in conducting literature of medium difficulty.

  • GMU 555 - World Music

    Credits: 2
    Introduces study of world music in social, cultural and political contexts; folk and native music of North and South Americas and Africa; current critical approaches to contemporary forms of Western popular music such as rap.

  • GMU 557 - Choral Methods and Literature

    Credits: 3
    Explores selected repertoire and organization and administration of choral program; emphasizes choral tone, blend, balance and intonation.

  • GMU 558 - Instrumental Methods and Literature

    Credits: 3
    Explores purpose, aims and techniques of instrumental program; emphasizes rehearsal, repertoire and organization.

  • GMU 565 - Music Education I Elementary Methods (K–5)

    Credits: 3
    Introduces methods and materials for teaching music to younger children; discussion, development and implementation of individual lessons for general music classes and curriculum planning.

    Field work.
  • GMU 566 - Music Education II Secondary Methods (6–12)

    Credits: 3
    Introduces methods and materials for teaching music to older children and adolescents; discussion, development and implementation of individual lessons and total curriculum; general music, music theory, music appreciation and performing classes.

    Field work.
  • GMU 577 - Music Education Seminar

    Credits: 2
    Analyzes issues in music education, classroom management and techniques.

  • GMU 580 - Practicum

    Credits: 3-6
    Field placement in elementary (150 hours), middle and/or high school (150 hours). Supervision by College faculty and cooperating teacher(s) in schools. Fifteen weeks of full-time student teaching required, or required hours (300) can be spread over a longer period of time due to professional and personal commitments. Student must be registered and finalized prior to starting teaching assignment.

  • GMU 601 - Graduate Music Theory Review

    Credits: 1
    Reviews fundamentals of music theory including scales, chord structure, harmonic progression, modulation, etc. Required for all students who do not pass music theory diagnostic exam. Prestudy guidelines for exam available.

  • GMU 602 - Graduate Music History Review

    Credits: 1
    Reviews major eras and compositional styles of music history. Required for all students who do not pass diagnostic exam in music history. Prestudy guidelines for exam available.

  • GMU 610 - Analytical Techniques

    Credits: 2
    Explores advanced techniques employed in score analysis.

    Prerequisite(s): GMU 601 .

  • GMU 612 - Western Music

    Credits: 2
    Studies great musical masterpieces applicable to K–12. Develops analytical tools for understanding compositional practices in major eras of Western art music.

  • GMU 614 - Non-Western Music

    Credits: 2
    Presents multicultural perspective on music through use of non-Western musical examples. Emphasis on methods for teaching non-Western music K–12.

  • GMU 616 - Techniques of Conducting

    Credits: 2
    Reviews basic conducting technique followed by more advanced study of conducting and score analysis. Required of all students unless waived by audition.

  • GMU 618 - Conducting Seminar

    Credits: 2
    Required for any student conducting Lab Ensemble. Choral and instrumental sections available.

    Prerequisite(s): GMU 616  (unless waived by audition) and permission of program director. (Elective)

  • GMU 619 - General Music Seminar

    Credits: 2
    Required for any student leading general music portion of Lab Ensemble. Team presentations explore relation of general music (K–8) to national standards in music education.

    Prerequisite(s): GMU 614  and permission of instructor. (Elective)

  • GMU 620 - Lab Ensemble

    Credits: 1
    Hands-on teaching lab in which music teachers are also music makers, participating in activities related to general music, chorus and band. Must be taken for three summers.

  • GMU 621 - Child and Adolescent Vocal Pedagogy

    Credits: 2
    Instruction in vocal method from Teaching Kids to Sing by Kenneth H. Phillips. (Elective)

  • GMU 622 - Foundations of Music Education

    Credits: 2
    Explores foundational roots of music study in American schools and challenges students to determine their own rationale for the value of including music in school curriculum.

  • GMU 624 - Learning and Assessment in Music Education

    Credits: 2
    Includes information on learning theories in music—particularly that of Edwin E. Gordon—and ways of assessing students’ musical achievement and ability.

  • GMU 626 - Curriculum Development in Music Education

    Credits: 2
    Students learn to write curricula reflecting nine national standards in music education, and to evaluate current curricula.

  • GMU 628 - Supervision and Administration in Music Education

    Credits: 2
    The clinical supervision process is explored in the first half of the course, which is most helpful for working with student teachers. Administrative techniques such as budgeting, grant writing, personnel management, etc., studied in second part of course.

  • GMU 630 - Introduction to Research in Music Education

    Credits: 2
    Explores understanding of quantitative and qualitative research processes; provides means for interpreting and applying this research to music processing.

  • GMU 651 - Symphonic Band

    Credits: 1
    Admission by audition. Representative music of each period of music history studied and performed. Minimum of three to five hours rehearsal and participation in all public appearances required.

  • GMU 653 - Symphony Orchestra

    Credits: 1
    Admission by audition. Representative music of each period of music history studied and performed. Minimum of three to five hours rehearsal and participation in all public appearances required.

  • GMU 655 - Symphonic Chorale

    Credits: 1
    Admission by audition. Representative music of each period of music history studied and performed. Minimum of three to five hours rehearsal and participation in all public appearances required.

  • GMU 671 - Special Topics in Music

    Credits: 1
    Students may elect to study specialized area independently as in-depth study. Final paper or project required of each special topic.Gmu682 field-based teaching experience (3) Independent teaching practicum carried out in teacher’s own classroom and includes goal setting, mentoring, journaling and portfolio building. Candidate for master’s degree expected to demonstrate qualities in teaching one would expect from a “master” teacher. Final, comprehensive exam is capstone of practicum experience.

  • GMU 677 - Flute

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 684 - Violin

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 685 - Viola

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 686 - Cello

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 687 - Double Bass

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 688 - Guitar

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 689 - Harp

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 690 - Thesis

    Credits: 3
    For students considering doctoral program (Ph.D.), thesis provides way to explore suitable research topic. Expect to spend minimum of one full year completing written thesis.

  • GMU 691 - Oboe

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 692 - Clarinet

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.

  • GMU 693 - Bassoon

    Credits: 1
    Students enrolled in the music education degree program may study applied music for graduate credit during regular academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards degree as electives. Lessons arranged individually and audition may be required.