Preparing Tomorrow's
Music Educators
Students who graduate from Tougaloo College with a bachelor's degree in Music Education will be prepared to teach elementary and secondary music students. Our comprehensive program develops understanding of the role of music in the school curriculum and prepares students to develop effective techniques and strategies for teaching.
Music Education majors combine performance excellence with pedagogical training, classroom management skills, and educational theory to become effective K-12 music educators who inspire the next generation of musicians.
Program Requirements
Music Education majors must complete all core music courses plus specialized education coursework. Students are required to pass the PRAXIS CORE and PRAXIS II: Principles of Learning and Teaching examinations prior to student teaching. The program includes extensive classroom observation, instructional planning, and practical teaching experience in both elementary and secondary settings.
All Music Education majors must participate in ensembles, complete performance requirements including recitals, and demonstrate proficiency in conducting, pedagogy, and classroom management. Student teaching placements are available in both elementary (EDU 424) and secondary (EDU 436) settings.
Course Requirements
The Music Education program combines comprehensive musical training with specialized pedagogical coursework and practical teaching experience. Students develop both performance skills and teaching effectiveness through a carefully structured curriculum.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: MUSIC CORE
Requirements
The Music major consists of 70 semester hours, of which 30 semester hours are core courses required of all students. In addition, the student must complete 20 semester hours of studio instruction in piano or voice as listed in the sequence of courses in this section. All Music and Music Education majors must participate in the Concert Choir and/or other musical ensembles unless excused by the Department Chair. All students must take the Sophomore Written and Piano Proficiency Examinations. Piano Music Majors must complete the Sophomore Piano Major Proficiency Examination.
Junior and Senior Music majors are required to present a recital in their performance emphasis. The minimum length for recitals is 30 minutes for the Junior Recital and 60 minutes for the Senior Recital. Each recital must be performed entirely from memory. The Senior Thesis and its defense must be completed and passed before the student is permitted to present the senior recital.
This course is designed for study and performance of masterpieces of choral music. Admission is by audition and is open to non-music majors. Daily rehearsal, occasional public concerts, and spring tour are mandatory. Music majors must complete eight semesters of an ensemble (instrumental or choral) for credit to meet the curriculum requirement.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MUS 113CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSPerformance Seminar is a zero-credit, pass/fail monthly meeting of all music majors and minors for the purpose of student performances, seminars, workshops, special lectures, guest recitals, and listening labs. Music majors must be enrolled in a Performance Seminar each semester for a total of eight (8) semesters. Music minors must be enrolled in a Performance Seminar each semester for a total of four (4) semesters. Performance Seminar meets bi-monthly. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ZERO SEMESTER HOURSSight singing and ear training with emphasis upon diatonic materials. One hour per week.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 114CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
Sight singing and ear training with emphasis upon diatonic materials. One hour per week.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 209CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
This course guides the development of listening skills and the ability to use the score as a tool for listening and study. Standard works from the major periods in the history of western music will constitute the main body of the material studied. Offered yearly.
Prerequisites: MUS 113 and MUS 114 or consent of the instructorCREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course guides the development of listening skills and the ability to use the score as a tool for listening and study. Standard works from the major periods in the history of western music and styles of diverse cultures will constitute the main body of the material studied. Offered yearly.
Prerequisites: MUS 113 and MUS 114 or consent of the instructorCREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a continued study of part writing, seventh chords, chromatic harmony, modulation, and some twentieth-century concepts. A composition project required each semester.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 113 and MUS 114CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This is a continued study of part writing, seventh chords, chromatic harmony, modulation, and some twentieth-century concepts. A composition project required each semester.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 113 and MUS 114CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides historical and stylistic development of western music from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 211 and MUS 212 or permission of the instructorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides historical and stylistic development of western music from the Baroque period to the present, with emphasis on styles of diverse cultures. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 211, MUS 212 and MUS 311 or permission of the instructorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is a study of 18th Century two-part counterpoint with emphasis upon technique used, J. S. Bach's Two Part Inventions. Composition of an original invention. Offered once per year in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 214CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a study of musical structure from its basic elements through large composite forms such as the sonata and the symphony. Analysis and composition projects. Offered once per year in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 214, MUS 313CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Junior Piano Recital. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, and MUS 216CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparation, presentation, and completion of the required Junior Piano Recital upon completion of the required Piano Hearing with music faculty. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required. Recital must be completed before the student will be allowed to enroll in MUS 415.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, MUS 216 and MUS 315CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Junior Voice Recital. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, and MUS 218CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparations, presentation, and completion of the required Junior Voice Recital upon completion of the required Vocal Hearing with music faculty. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required. Recital must be completed before the student will be allowed to enroll in MUS 417.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, MUS 218, and MUS 317CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a required course for the guidance of students in preparation of the Senior Thesis and/or the Music Education Document. The objective of the course is to enable students to analyze in-depth issues and topics in Music Performance and/or Music Education. The course also includes the study of music materials and bibliography with a survey of the style manuals: APA, Turabian, and Richard Wingell's Writing About Music. The course includes two class sessions per week with the expectation of a fully developed research prospectus at the end of the semester.
Prerequisites: MUS 214, ENG 201CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a required course for the guidance of students in preparation of the Senior Thesis and/or the Music Education Document. The objective of the course is to enable students to analyze in-depth issues and topics in Music Performance and/or Music Education. The course also includes the study of music materials and bibliography with a survey of the style manuals APA, Turabian, and Richard Wingell's Writing About Music. Students will have the time needed to complete the Senior thesis prior to fulfilling the additional requirement of a senior recital.
Prerequisites: ENG 201, MUS 213, MUS 413CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Senior Piano Recital. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, MUS 216, MUS 315, and MUS 316CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparation, presentation, and completion of the required Senior Piano Recital upon completion of the required Piano Hearing with music faculty. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice per week are required. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, MUS 216, MUS 315, MUS 316, and MUS 415CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Senior Voice Recital. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, MUS 218, MUS 317, and MUS 318CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparation, presentation, and completion of the required Senior Voice Recital upon completion of the required Voice Hearing with the music faculty. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, MUS 218, MUS 317, MUS 318, and MUS 417CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: MUSIC EDUCATION
Students who graduate from Tougaloo College with a bachelor's degree in Music Education will be prepared to teach elementary and secondary music students. Students will have acquired an understanding of the role of music in the school curriculum and will be prepared to develop techniques and strategies for teaching.
Additional Music Courses for Music Education Majors
This course is designed for music education majors. Students will become familiar with techniques of playing several wind instruments, the history and literature of several instruments, and the role of wind instruments in the symphony orchestra. Offered only on demand.
Prerequisites: MUS 113-MUS 114CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
This is a study of the psychological, sociological, and philosophical foundations of music education. Curriculum planning and materials, national standards for music education, special problems, and classroom observation. Three hours per week.
Prerequisites: MUS 113, MUS 114, MUS 213, MUS 214, MUS 209, MUS 211, MUS 212 and junior standing as a Music or Music Education majorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides basic principles of choral/instrumental conducting and baton technique. Score preparation. Offered on demand.
Prerequisites: MUS 213CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This is the beginning course in the study of varied pedagogical techniques and approaches for healthy vocal production, how those techniques can be applied to solo and choral literature, and the elementary exploration of classical vocal repertory. It meets twice per week.
Prerequisites: MUS 113-MUS 114 or permission of instructorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is the continuation of the study of pedagogical techniques and approaches for healthy vocal production began in MUS 351. It provides a continuation of how those techniques can be applied to solo and choral literature, and a more in-depth exploration of both classical and world vocal repertory. It meets twice per week.
Prerequisites: MUS 113-MUS 114, MUS 351 or permission of instructorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides the foundations of music curricula for junior and senior high schools. It includes instructional techniques and materials. Classroom observations and instructional planning portfolios required.
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing as a music majorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Education Courses for Music Education Majors
This course is designed to acquaint the student with exceptionalities. Emphasis will be placed on the educational programs, problems and needs, laws, and the skills for assessment, observation, and recording the behavior of the special student. Practicum is required.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis seminar is designed to address issues and trends in behavior management. The seminar includes a wide range of theoretical approaches and correlating applications relevant for the field of behavior management. Emphasis will be positioned on viable comprehensive methodology and strategies useful for managing student behavior in educational settings. Students are expected to cultivate a practical understanding of the application of behavior management with diverse populations. In addition, the students are expected to formulate, design, conduct, write, and present a behavior management project. A practicum is required.
Prerequisites: EDE 101CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
The course is designed to focus on studying the developmental and remedial reading processes for elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Topics will include approaches for diagnosis teaching, preparation, selection, evaluation, utilization of instructional materials, and equipment in different learning environments. Language development, listening, speaking, and writing across the curriculum will also be studied. The use of technology in the content area will also be examined. Practicum is required.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis course is designed to acquaint students with the use of tests as instruments of measurement for cognitive and diagnostic purposes; educational research development from the historical to the present studies in the field; methods of educational research for quantitative studies and knowledge of simple qualitative measures. The use of technology in testing and measurement will also be explored.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis course is designed to provide field experience for candidates for the Teacher Education program in elementary schools. While enrolled in this fifteen-week course in practicum, students will participate in a student teaching experience under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and a college supervisor. Students must pass the Praxis CORE and Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching examinations prior to student teaching. Students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the competencies measured by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium.
CREDIT: FIFTEEN SEMESTER HOURSThis course is designed to provide field experience for candidates for the Teacher Education program in secondary schools. While enrolled in this fifteen-week course in practicum, students will participate in a student teaching experience under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and a college supervisor. Students must pass Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching examination and Praxis II (subject area/content) examination prior to student teaching. Students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the competencies measured by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium.
CREDIT: FIFTEEN SEMESTER HOURS