B.M. in Music Education (Birth - Grade 12)
Music teachers combine a love of music with a love of teaching. This 120-credit undergraduate program, leading to New York state teacher certification, places a strong emphasis on musical performance. By highlighting performance, the Bachelor of Music in Music Education recognizes that teachers teach by example as well as classroom instruction.
As a student in this program, you will work with faculty members who are active musicians with flourishing professional careers. In addition, you will have access to workshops and master classes conducted by high-profile musical artists from New York City and around the world. Music education majors also perform on national and international tours organized and led by their professors.
Along with a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum and a core of courses in music history and theory and general classroom teaching, the program includes 20 credits of applied music: one-to-one lessons in your instrument or voice. All students give a recital in the first semester of their senior year, followed by a semester of supervised student-teaching.
As a music teacher you will make an important difference in the lives of your students. While introducing young people to the joys of singing, playing and listening to music, you will be contributing to their cognitive development, fine-motor competence, cultural awareness and literacy skills.
Qualities that Set Our Program Apart
- You will work with some of the most talented and successful musicians and teachers in the New York metro area. Our faculty members are active musicians and teachers, and they represent some of the most cutting-edge and high profile people in the profession. The program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
- Our proximity to New York City and connection to Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post will give you direct access to a wide variety of outstanding professional music-making in the form of concerts, workshops, master classes and collaborative projects. Recent musical artists who have worked with our students include: the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Chanticleer Choral Ensemble, Shanghai String Quartet, Bobby McFerrin, United States “President’s Own” Marine Band, New York Voices, United States Air Force Band, guitarist David Leisner, flutist Sir James Galway, jazz artist Paquito D’Rivera, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
- You will gain real-world experience in local classrooms, learning the profession of education and building a professional network.
- You will have an opportunity to make music as a soloist, chamber musician and large ensemble member both on campus, and as part of our domestic and international touring program.
- Music majors can become members of the Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), which promotes excellence in music teaching and learning through its outreach programs, national and international guest speakers, and conference participation.
- As a graduate of our Music Education Program you will be a competent, qualified and caring music educator, fully prepared to seek and obtain a music teaching position.
