School of Music

83 hours, including licensure hours

This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. A degree in music education prepares the student for K-12 licensure as a public school music teacher with a choral emphasis. The degree program is a composite of music and education. Graduates may obtain a teaching position, pursue graduate work, or use the degree as professional preparation for other fields of endeavor.

Students seeking membership in the Choral Music Education Program must apply directly to the major. This can only be done by completing Music 176 "Careers in Music Education." This is a 1 credit hour class offered during winter and summer terms. To see the schedule for when this course is offered, please click here. This course leads students through the entire application process including gathering recommendations, compiling application materials, participating in a live vocal audition, and completing an interview with Dr. Broomhead.

Purpose of Music 176:

Music 176 can be completed in two to four weeks and is only 1 credit. It is possible to take the course in the summer without committing an entire summer to school. Each year, approximately 50 students enroll in Music 176 and apply to the Choral Education Program. BYU has the resources to admit 12. For the sake of the students, it is extremely important that faculty members make the best decisions possible. The first thing that needs to happen is that certain students discover for themselves that they are not as compatible with the profession as they originally thought. They "weed" themselves out simply by not completing the formal application process. Others are not strong contenders because of major musical or academic issues. When all is said and done, there are still numerous qualified contenders for the 12 spots in the major (something like 20-30). In order to get the "right" people in the major, faculty members have to get to know them quite a bit more deeply than a brief audition process allows. After students have submitted class assignments, prepared portfolios, auditioned, and interviewed individually with members of the choral education faculty, the likelihood of selecting people who are compatible with the profession of music teaching increases dramatically.

Audition:

For all students applying for Choral Music Education (only), a special live audition is held at the conclusion of Music 176 both in the winter and summer terms. No other vocal audition is necessary to be considered for Music Education. If an applicant is applying to the program for the 2nd time, he/she need not retake Music 176 but may sign up for an audition by contacting the Music Education Assistant before January 15th for winter auditions and July 1st for summer auditions (music.ed.assistant@gmail.com). These auditions typically take place at the beginning of February and in mid July. To prepare for your audition, please review the audition requirements.

Incoming Freshman:

In order to start the Choral Education Program in the fall of the freshman year, incoming freshmen must complete Music 176 during the summer term prior to their first Fall Semester. It is worth noting that the Choral Music Education major is a limited enrollment program (LEP) and incoming freshmen must compete with current freshmen and even some sophomores for a spot in the major. While it is possible for incoming freshmen to earn a spot in the program, more frequently they are not successful, and, in lieu of starting the program right away, they focus on General Education requirements and other areas of interest during their first year in college. Often they reapply during Winter Semester of their first year (they need not retake Music 176) and, if successful, start the program at the beginning of the second year. Given these realities, it makes sense for most students to wait until the winter of the freshman year to enroll in Music 176 and apply for the program. Waiting until during the freshman year to apply does not create any disadvantages for the student!

Admission to the University:

Incoming freshmen who elect to come for Music 176 during the summer prior to the first year may need to change their admission date with the university. The admissions office has indicated that students who want to change their admission date to Summer Term need only request the change. However, once the date is changed to Summer, the Fall spot is forfeited and students MUST attend during the Summer in order to continue in the all. Incoming freshman should contact the admissions office to confirm this information since we cannot officially speak for that office.

For any further questions about the choral music education program, please contact Paul Broomhead.

90 hours, including licensure hours

This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. A degree in music education prepares the student for K-12 licensure as a public school music teacher with an instrumental emphasis. The degree program is a composite of music and education. Graduates may obtain a teaching position, pursue graduate work, or use the degree as professional preparation for other fields of endeavor.

• Apply for admission to the university.
  Note: Often students do not find out whether they have been accepted to the university until after their audition with the School of Music.
• Complete and submit a School of Music Undergraduate Admission and Scholarship Application by the appropriate deadline.
  Note: To complete this application, you will need a NET ID user name (not a BYU ID number) and password, which are assigned when you apply to BYU for general admission (see above).
• Prepare for your audition by reviewing the audition requirements for your instrument.
  

  Instrument	Coordinator
  Bassoon	Christian Smith
  Cello	Julie Bevan
  Clarinet	Jaren Hinckley
  Double Bass	Eric Hansen
  Flute	Hillary Kimball
  Guitar	Lawrence Green
  Harp	Nicole Brady
  Horn	Laurence Lowe
  Oboe	Geralyn Giovannetti
  Organ	Don Cook
  Percussion	Ron Brough
  Piano	Scott Holden
  Saxophone	Raymond Smith
  Trombone	Will Kimball
  Trumpet	David Brown
  Tuba	Steven Call
  Viola	Claudine Bigelow
  Violin	Monte Belknap

• Take the Aural Skills Exam (see FAQ here for more information).
• Audition by doing one of the two options:

  1. Live audition

     1. Your online application must be completed before you can schedule an audition. If you have completed your application materials, you may schedule your audition on your online application page. Please be sure to schedule your time before the week of the audition.
     2. Auditions are held in the Harris Fine Arts Center. For driving directions and hotel information, click here.

  2. Recorded audition: DVD mailed in to the School of Music by the appropriate deadline (if you are unable to come to BYU for a live audition)
     

     Send DVDs to:
     School of Music Admissions
     Brigham Young University
     C-550 Harris Fine Arts Center
     Provo, UT 84602

  Deadlines
  BYU Application	December 1 (priority); February 1
  School of Music Application	January 15, 2012
  Aural Skills Exam	January 28, 2012
  Recorded Audition	January 15, 2012 (Postmarked)
  Live Audition	January 28, 2012

• If not accepted into the School of Music:
  Students having a strong desire to teach public school music who are not accepted into the School of Music based on the entrance audition should consider additional private study on their major instrument (Music 160R), performing in an ensemble, and taking General Education courses. They may re-audition for the School of Music the following year. It is sometimes assumed that delayed acceptance into the major will extend time to graduation but it often does not because of early completion of required GE courses.
• Enroll in Music 176 Careers in Music Education (1 credit):
  Within this course, students make a final decision regarding whether or not to apply to the music education program. Those who elect to apply will prepare and submit a portfolio to the music education faculty as the culminating assignment for the class. Decisions for acceptance into the program will then be made for the next fall semester. Music 176 can be taken Winter or Summer term.
• Submit Portfolio(at conclusion of Music 176)
• Interview:
  Sign-up sheets will be posted on the doors Dr. Saville (band) and Dr. Dabczynski (orchestra) around February 15th. The interview is a time for the music education selection committee to learn about your specific teaching interests and your potential as a music educator. Think deeply about your reasons for pursuing a career in music education before your interview.

Emphasis 120.5-121.5 hours*, including licensure hours

This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see the college advisement center for information regarding requirements for admission to this emphasis. A five-year program, the degree offers a dual major in elementary music education and elementary education. It will also prepare the student for dual licensure as an elementary music specialist and as an elementary classroom teacher. Graduates may obtain a teaching position in either area or a combination of both, pursue graduate work, or use the degree as preparation for other fields of endeavor.

• Take Music 176 at BYU. This course is offered in the winter and summer terms. To see the schedule for when this course is offered, please click here.
• While taking Music 176, students will have the opportunity to audition with the vocal faculty. To prepare for your audition, please review the audition requirements. Students will fill out an application form, prepare a portfolio, send out a recommendation form, and record a teaching video during their semester in 176. At the end of the course, they will also have an interview.
  Note: Because students must take Music 176 to audition, high school seniors or transfer students who are not yet attending BYU will not be able to audition for the choral music education program until they are attending BYU and are able to take 176.
• For any further questions about the choral music education program, please contact Jerry Jaccard.

The Graduate Program in Music Education at BYU is designed for licensed music teachers with at least one year of successful public school teaching experience who wish to pursue further academic study as a means to develop professionally. We do not offer a masters degree that leads to teaching licensure.

Our masters programs consist of 32 hours, including coursework and a final document (Personal Improvement Project for the MM; Thesis for the MA). The coursework is usually done over the course of three to four summers, with occasional classes taken after hours during the school year if possible. Very limited spots for full-time study are available. However, all programs begin with a summer term. The timeframe for completion of the degree depends on the diligence of the student in completing the final exams and final document.

Although we offer the MA program, we have all students enter the program through the MM program. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

A student interested in pursuing any of the graduate programs in the School of Music should apply online at http://gradstudies.byu.edu. This process serves as both the University and School of Music application, including applicable fees and letter of recommendation requests. Deadlines are listed here as well.

All students should apply for the MM Program. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

Information for International Students is found here.

Supplemental Application Materials

In addition to the regular graduate studies application, you are required to send supplemental application materials to the attention of the School of Music Academic Administrative Assistant (BYU School of Music, C550 HFAC, Provo, UT 84602). These materials should arrive by the application deadline.

For the Music Education Program, the following supplemental materials are required:

1. A current résumé.
2. Verification by a school administrator of successful public school teaching experience as a certified teacher (1 year minimum or equivalent required before beginning the program).
3. A DVD video or audio recording of:
   1. A representative rehearsal or music class taught by the applicant;
   2. A representative performance of a group trained and conducted by the applicant;
   3. A representative solo performance of the applicant on his/her major instrument (2 pieces in contrasting style).
4. Two 800- to 1200-word essays on the following topics:
   1. Discuss what you perceive to be one of the most important problems in public school music education today and propose a possible solution(s).
   2. Reflect on an area of personal interest in music teaching/learning–one that has direct connection with your own teaching–and propose how you might explore it further given the time and opportunity to do so.

Masters students in the Music Education Program are eligible for annual scholarship awards.

Applications may be obtained from the Music Education Faculty. The application deadline each year will be toward the end of February, and the awards will be determined by mid-April for the following Summer, Fall and Winter terms.

A new student is not eligible for scholarship awards until the successful completion of a first term of study. However, a new student may apply upon acceptance to the program for Fall or Winter terms during the same school year if he or she may be taking classes.

Scholarships are awarded based on scholastic merit, consistent and timely progress through the degree, need, and availability of funds. Scholarship awards vary, ranging from partial to full tuition. Generally, the maximum cumulative award during a degree program is limited to support for 26 credit hours (out of 32 the credit hours required hours for the degree). Scholarship funds are to be used only for courses on a Program of Study (revised Programs of Study are acceptable, but only after approval).

Receiving a grade below B results in scholarship probation. Students who receive grades below B for two semesters are ineligible to apply for further scholarships until notified by the advisor.

All students coming into the program are to apply to the MM Degree. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

MM Degree Requirements (32 hours)

MA Degree Requirements (32 hours)

Dear Current Graduate Students in Music Education,

We are delighted you were prepared to be a part of our program. While you are here, we will do our best to provide you the best educational experience we can provide. This begins with the educational aims of Brigham Young University. In addition, we hope to see your potential grow in the following areas during your time with us:

• Improved musicians
• Self-directed, lifelong learners
• Reflective educators/practitioners
• Emerging scholars
• Proactive contributors to the profession

Working closely with your adviser is important as you progress through your degree. Ultimately, however, you are responsible to meet all deadlines and make sure you understand all the requirements. We hope to facilitate your timely progress through the degree. However, this depends in large part upon your diligence, commitment, and quality of work. Let us know how we can be of support.

To help you be informed:

• BYU Graduate Studies (Particularly, pay attention to the Deadlines section each year)
• School of Music Graduate Handbook
• BYU Catalog
• Professional Improvement Project Information
• Changing Your Program of Study

• Undergraduate Application Information
• Major Academic Plans (MAPs)
• Graduate Handbook