2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Music, Music Education Concentration, B.A.


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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.  

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major does not include a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course. Students must take a GWAR certified writing intensive course to fulfill the requirement. 

Requirements for the Major (74-75 Units)


The music major with a concentration in music education consists of a 43-unit core (providing foundation courses in music theory, music history, and music performance) and 31-32 units of concentration specific coursework.



Ensembles


Note:


* See separate list of specific ensemble requirements for each instrument, available from the Music Department.
 

Note:


Courses listed above satisfy requirements for the music education major, but not for a teaching credential. Students must be admitted to the Cal Poly Humboldt Secondary Education Program in order to begin taking the professional education courses needed to earn a California teaching credential. Completing the requirements of the music education major obviates the need to take the CSET exam for entrance to a credential program at most universities. Before applying to the Secondary Education Program, students must meet the prerequisite of 45 hours of early field experience or enroll in SED 210 /SED 410 .

Program Learning Outcomes and Vision


Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

  1. Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify, read, write, and work conceptually with the elements of music - rhythm, melody, harmony, and structure.
  2. Familiarity with, and an ability to perform a wide selection of musical literature representing principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
  3. Demonstrate ability in performing areas appropriate to the student’s needs, interests, and degree path.
  4. Demonstrate effective English writing skills

Vision

We commit to being a program where students from diverse backgrounds are able to thrive.  We equip students to understand how music has connections to issues of equity and inclusion, and how exploring music can enable us to develop more just societies.  

We support music for all: university and community, performers and listeners, beginners to advanced musicians, and music from many cultures.  We welcome musicians of all ages to participate in music-making and learning events on campus.  We also embrace opportunities to partner with schools and community arts organizations within our region.

We value excellence and teach our students how to effectively strive for constant improvement.  We endeavor to support each student’s interests, needs, and personal growth during their studies. 

We equip students to engage with music as a lifelong practice. Our students explore the role of music in today’s world and consider how music and musical skills can address the world’s challenges.  

We support explorations of music as it relates to diverse cultures, technology, and other disciplines.  We foster creativity to support musical growth, problem-solving, and the development of human potential.

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