The Music Education program prepares students for a career in K-12 music education through coursework in musicianship, performance, teaching methodology and professional education, and general studies.
Location:
Chicago
Start Term:
Fall, Spring
Program Type:
Major
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, CCPA’s music education program has been a nurturing space for quality teachers for several decades. Music education majors at Roosevelt University are given the opportunity to engage the best of theory and practice with caring, knowledgeable faculty and opportunities for preservice teaching practice. Students engage the Roosevelt University mission of social justice through focused pedagogy, scholarship, and activism. Students have the opportunity to study with unparalleled applied studio faculty, all of whom are experienced master performers. Many of our artist faculty perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera, world-class organizations just blocks from CCPA.
The program also gives students the opportunity to explore the best of music education and performance with its unique dual degree programs. CCPA puts a premium on musical performance, and music education students will have the opportunity to give exhilarating performances at venues such as Symphony Hall and the Jazz Showcase. Graduates of the music education program at CCPA have enjoyed high records of employment after graduation and many have gone on to direct award-winning programs, including Grammy education awards and featured slots at conferences such as Midwest and ILMEA. Other graduates have participated in educational outreach with organizations such as the Lyric Opera, and high-ranking fine arts policy positions.
The double major enables strong performers to achieve a high level of musicianship while preparing for teaching licensure. Please refer to the curricula for BM in Music Education and Piano Performance, BM in Music Education and Voice Performance, BM in Music Education and Instrumental Performance, and BM in Music Education and Instrumental Jazz Performance for details.
What Differentiates Us
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Service-learning is integrated into teaching methods; get hands-on teaching opportunities in real school situations. Informed by Roosevelt University’s mission, students participate in teaching activities that engage social justice and diversity.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
You'll have weekly hour-long private lessons with conservatory artist faculty and opportunities to participate in ensemble every semester.
WEEKLY EDUCATION LAB
Weekly music education lab cultivates a sense of professional identity and addresses career preparation.
Guest speakers and clinicians have included:
• Joseph Abramo, The University of Connecticut
• Carlos Abril, The University of Miami
• Janet Barrett, Ph.D, The University of Illinois, Champagn-Urbana
• Gail Burnaford, Ph.D, Director of Research at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
• Carol Frierson-Campbell, Ph.D, William Paterson University
• Ken Elpus, The University of Maryland
• Dan Isbell, Louisiana State University
• Mitchell Robinson, Michigan State University
Expectations & Requirements
Standards
Music education students at CCPA come from all over the world to experience Chicago and develop their music teaching practice. Students enroll in degree plans with a choral or instrumental focus but all music education majors develop well-rounded knowledge and skills through methods courses in general music, choir, band, and orchestra as well as techniques and conducting courses. Students have access to a wide spectrum of school settings that help them relate real-life teaching situations to their coursework.
Sample Courses
Examples of a few music education classes include:
- ME 351 – Issues in Music Education: This class provides a lively examination of the contemporary issues in the changing landscape of education.
- ME 200 – Music Education Lab: This recurring class addresses key music teaching practices and guides students toward their final Digital Portfolio, a tool that has been particularly useful in securing employment opportunities.
- ARTL – Arts Education and Community Engagement: This class examines social justice and artistic citizenship through the lens of urban music programs and community arts organizations.
More Opportunities
Performance Opportunities
CCPA music education students experience the opportunity to perform in several different ensembles at many distinguished performance venues. Depending on the Student’s Specific Degree Track, students may have the opportunity to perform in ensembles such as:
- University Opera
- Conservatory Chorus
- Wind Ensemble
- Symphony Orchestra
- Large Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz Combos
- The New Deal Ensemble (Jazz Vocal)
- Percussion Ensemble
- Brass Ensemble
- String Chamber Ensemble
- Woodwind Chamber Ensemble
- Collaborative Piano
Students have had the opportunity to perform at venues including:
- Symphony Hall (Home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
- The Auditorium Theatre
- Harris Theatre
- The Jazz Showcase
- The Chicago Jazz Festival
- Grace Episcopal Church
Testimonials
I am a proud graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University! As a music education major, I was afforded the opportunity to study music education with an emphasis on social justice. This became the foundation of my philosophy that every student in every school deserves access to high-quality music education and has served me well in my position as Music Curriculum Specialist in Milwaukee Public Schools.
What makes the Bachelor of Music Education Program special is access to both active and retired music teachers, small class sizes, and the wide-range teaching experiences in urban and suburban schools. Most importantly, CCPA instilled in me a passion for music education that continues to guide me today.
Anthony Soyak
2011
Music Curriculum Specialist, Milwaukee Public Schools
I didn't realize until getting here just how much Roosevelt prepared me for so many things. Every crazy assignment, every stressful morning feeling like I understood nothing going into class that day... it all definitely paid off. Lately, I'm constantly thinking back to ‘Issues in Music Education.’ The classroom management that we focused on in that class has been unbelievably helpful in getting my year off to the best start. One of the most important things I learned in my entire time at RU was that your management and your routines will be learned from day one, whether you teach them or not. My students, from the 6-year-olds up to the 11-year-olds, already very clearly know my routines and are learning how best to follow them, and because of that, I'm able to trust them with instruments and music games in the room. It was even to the point that my first graders knew the expectations so well that I was able to give them instruments in their second music class, and they were FANTASTIC with them!
This job is crazy. This job is fun. This job is tiring. This job is wonderful. This job is unbelievable. Thank you for preparing me for this.
Ellie Knoll
2018
Bachelor of Music Education,
Admission Info
Applicants must complete the following for consideration:
- A performance audition on your primary instrument (or voice). Follow the Classical Performance undergraduate audition requirements for the appropriate instrument/voice, unless a specific Music Education requirement is noted.
- Attendance at the Music Education discussion or interview on your audition date. Applicants who do not audition on campus may be asked to complete a phone interview.
- In addition to an instrumental audition, piano and guitar Music Education applicants must also take part in a short vocal evaluation.
- All Music Education applicants must have complete files (transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation) by the date of their audition/interview.