Music, Music Education Concentration, B.A.

Throughout the history of humanity, music has been one of the most universal, essential, and enduring of human endeavors.  Through the study of the art of music, individuals can be empowered to deeply explore, understand, and give form to their own intellectual, emotional, and creative energies and impulses.  The study of music is therefore both an appropriate and an indispensable component of the educational development of university students, serving the mission of Cal Poly Humboldt in unique and powerful ways.

The Cal Poly Humboldt Music Program immerses students in a hands-on exploration of diverse musical traditions and experiences, integrating musical performance, music scholarship, and the connections between music and technology. We cultivate musical skills, encourage musical expression, and nurture musical creativity to empower students to achieve their highest artistic, scholarly, and professional potential.

Students receive studio instruction in voice, piano, or instruments from highly qualified faculty who are active performers. Quality performance organizations (wind ensemble, symphony, chamber music ensembles, opera workshop, jazz band, vocal jazz ensemble, combos, percussion ensemble, and calypso band) allow study of the finest musical literature. The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 21, Reston, VI, 20190-5248, 703- 437-0700.

The music education concentration prepares students to teach music in elementary, middle, and high schools. The department is vitally concerned with providing quality experiences to prepare future music educators. A broad spectrum of course offerings provides opportunities to learn all aspects of music education. Following graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in music education, students may be eligible to enter a professional preparation program leading to a music teaching credential. Students in the music education concentration receive instruction in all instrumental areas, keyboard, and voice. They may choose from a wide variety of performance organizations - wind ensemble, choir, symphony, madrigals, chamber ensembles, opera workshop, jazz band, chorale, vocal jazz ensemble, and jazz combos. The high quality of these ensembles allows students to perform the finest of musical literature from a wide variety of historical eras and musical styles, while observing a conductor’s effective rehearsal techniques that are vital for success as a teacher.

All entering majors begin in the music studies concentration, which offers a broad view of the field of music. Once students are on campus, they may audition to enter the music education, performance, or composition concentrations. The music education concentration prepares students to teach in K-12 schools. The performance concentration provides opportunities and training for advanced musicians. The composition concentration gives a practice background in music composition with an emphasis on the use of music technology.

Entrance into the music education concentration involves four steps. Students must:

1. Complete an application, including questionnaire, available from the Music Department office.
2. Audition demonstrating performance skills on the student’s primary instrument or voice.
3. Interview before a panel of faculty and local practitioners.
4. have their transcript evaluated by the Coordinator of Music Education. Courses are assigned based on the results of this evaluation regardless of courses completed at other institutions.