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MA in Music Education Instrumental Concentration

About the MA in Music Education Instrumental Concentration

The MA in Music Education Instrumental Concentration features a broad range of core courses balanced by requirements that apply to the instrumental experience. You will place an emphasis on practical application in graduate study, while collaborating music educators from a diverse array of musical settings and backgrounds.

Contact

Email
music@stthomas.edu
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Be a better teacher for your students

Every Day Matters

"St. Thomas' music education degree program is a great way to grow yourself as a musician and to help your students grow." - Vicki Tam-Anderson '17

Curriculum Details

  • Program Overview
  • Core Courses
  • Instrumental Concentration Courses
  • Instrumental Electives
  • Other Degree Requirements

    • Program Overview

    The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in instrumental music features a broad range of core courses balanced by requirements that apply to the instrumental experience. Unique to this program is its emphasis on practical application in graduate study as well as cooperation among classroom, vocal, and instrumental music educators to produce superior music education in our schools and other musical settings. Informed pedagogy is the cornerstone of this concentration.

    The Master of Arts in Music Education curriculum requires 33 credit hours and consists of three elements:
    • Core courses covering a variety of topics.
    • A concentration to develop specific skills.
    • A master’s thesis or final project to conduct applied research in music education.

    Core Courses

    Core courses provide opportunities for all master’s students to place their specific skills within a broader musical and educational context.

    Required Core Courses (17 credits)
    • GMUS 600 Introduction to Scholarship and Research Methods in Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature and Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 750 Musicianship, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 890 Master of Arts Final Project, 1 cr.

    Instrumental Concentration Courses

    The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in instrumental music features coursework that applies to work with instrumental students of all ages. Our students gain pedagogical insights into instrumental pedagogy, musicianship and instrumental music learning for ensembles of all ages and ability levels.

    Instrumental Concentration Courses (11 credits)
    • GMUS 570-592 Performance Studies - Piano, 2 cr.
      • Major Instrument 30-minute lessons, 1 cr.
      • Secondary Instrument 30-minute lessons, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 665 Instrumental Musicianship Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 687 Advanced instrumental Score Study and Literature, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 690 Advanced Instrumental Conducting, 3 cr.

    Instrumental Electives

    Elective credits provide students opportunities to expand skills in their areas of interest.

    Instrumental Elective Courses (5 credits)
    • GMUS 536 Smithsonian Folkways Certification in World Music Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 537 Latin American Music, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 544-xx Topics in Music Education, credits vary (advisor approval required)
    • GMUS 557 Marching Band Techniques, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 558 Small Ensemble and Solo Literature, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 651 Dalcroze Musicianship, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 664 Jazz Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 671 African Music Ensemble, 2 cr.
    • Other courses considered for elective credit (advisor approval required)

    Other Degree Requirements

    All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education program with an instrumental concentration will complete the following non-credit requirements:
    • Music Diagnostic Exams
    • Oral Comprehensive Exam

    Program Overview

    The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in instrumental music features a broad range of core courses balanced by requirements that apply to the instrumental experience. Unique to this program is its emphasis on practical application in graduate study as well as cooperation among classroom, vocal, and instrumental music educators to produce superior music education in our schools and other musical settings. Informed pedagogy is the cornerstone of this concentration.

    The Master of Arts in Music Education curriculum requires 33 credit hours and consists of three elements:
    • Core courses covering a variety of topics.
    • A concentration to develop specific skills.
    • A master’s thesis or final project to conduct applied research in music education.

    Core Courses

    Core courses provide opportunities for all master’s students to place their specific skills within a broader musical and educational context.

    Required Core Courses (17 credits)
    • GMUS 600 Introduction to Scholarship and Research Methods in Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature and Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 750 Musicianship, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 890 Master of Arts Final Project, 1 cr.

    Instrumental Concentration Courses

    The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in instrumental music features coursework that applies to work with instrumental students of all ages. Our students gain pedagogical insights into instrumental pedagogy, musicianship and instrumental music learning for ensembles of all ages and ability levels.

    Instrumental Concentration Courses (11 credits)
    • GMUS 570-592 Performance Studies - Piano, 2 cr.
      • Major Instrument 30-minute lessons, 1 cr.
      • Secondary Instrument 30-minute lessons, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 665 Instrumental Musicianship Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 687 Advanced instrumental Score Study and Literature, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 690 Advanced Instrumental Conducting, 3 cr.

    Instrumental Electives

    Elective credits provide students opportunities to expand skills in their areas of interest.

    Instrumental Elective Courses (5 credits)
    • GMUS 536 Smithsonian Folkways Certification in World Music Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 537 Latin American Music, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 544-xx Topics in Music Education, credits vary (advisor approval required)
    • GMUS 557 Marching Band Techniques, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 558 Small Ensemble and Solo Literature, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 651 Dalcroze Musicianship, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 664 Jazz Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 671 African Music Ensemble, 2 cr.
    • Other courses considered for elective credit (advisor approval required)

    Other Degree Requirements

    All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education program with an instrumental concentration will complete the following non-credit requirements:
    • Music Diagnostic Exams
    • Oral Comprehensive Exam

    Our Students and Alumni

    Roy Pienaar headshot.

    Roy Pienaar

    One of our current graduate students, Roy is getting his MA with an instrumental concentration. Along with classes, Roy is teaching band at St. Louis Park Middle School in St. Louis Park, MN.
    Sarah Minette headshot.

    Sarah Minette '11

    Sarah is a music educator at Minneapolis South High School and adjunct faculty at St. Thomas. She has taught middle school band, jazz band, marching band and secondary general music. Her focus is to provide music-making opportunities for all students.
    Reid Wixson headshot.

    Reid Wixson '10

    Reid earned his MA in Instrumental Education and is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Southwest High School in Minneapolis. In 2020, he was named Music Educator of the Year by the Minnesota Music Educators Association.

    Faculty

    Our faculty has a vast amount of experience, diverse background and interests. We pride ourselves on the personal attention each student receives and the success they enjoy after graduation.
    Doug Orzolek headshot.

    Dr. Doug Orzolek

    Dr. Doug Orzolek is a Professor of Music, Director of the Graduate Programs in Music Education, the Associate Director of Bands and the Associate Chair of the Music Department at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Orzolek teaches music education methods and techniques, conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches musical acoustics, music literature and conducting. He also teaches core classes; courses related to instrumental music education and advises papers in both the master’s and doctoral level music education programs.
    Read Dr. Orzolek's Full Bio
    Matthew George headshot.

    Dr. Matthew George

    Dr. George holds a DMA degree in conducting from the University of North Texas, a MM degree in music education from Southern Methodist University and a BM degree in music education and trumpet performance from Ithaca College. He is Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Orchestra at St. Thomas.
    Read Dr. George's Full Bio

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