Music Education (MUED)

MUED 230. Psychology of Music. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Survey course of the literature in psychology of music with applications to music teaching, learning and performing, as well as its therapeutic uses in clinical and educational settings.

MUED 260. Introduction to Music Therapy. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Provide a historical, theoretical and clinical basis for defining and understanding music therapy. As a survey course to give historical background to the development of the profession, as well as basic understanding of techniques and populations now served by music therapists.

MUED 274. Functional Keyboarding for the Music Classroom. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. Prerequisite: APPM 273. Enrollment is restricted to VCU music education majors. The focus of this course is the development of essential keyboard competencies needed to effectively teach and guide individual musical growth of students in elementary and secondary choral music classrooms. Emphasis will be placed on developing the competencies and skills needed to employ effective pedagogical techniques for choral teaching in beginning and intermediate instruction in the public schools. Students will be asked to demonstrate teaching skills that use keyboard support to effectively teach the Virginia Standards of Learning in music.

MUED 301. Methods and Techniques: Guitar. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. For music education majors only. Achievement of basic performance competencies and teaching knowledge on the guitar including chording, single-string technique, plectrum and finger styles.

MUED 302. Methods and Techniques: Voice. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. For music education majors only. Achievement of performance competencies in voice including vocal production, diction and solo and group performance.

MUED 303. Methods and Techniques: Woodwinds. 1 Hour.

Continuous courses; 2 laboratory hours. 1-1 credit. Prerequisite: completion of MUED 303 to enroll in MUED 304. For music education majors only. Achievement of performance competencies and teaching knowledge on flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone.

MUED 304. Methods and Techniques: Woodwinds. 1 Hour.

Continuous courses; 2 laboratory hours. 1-1 credit. Prerequisite: completion of MUED 303 to enroll in MUED 304. For music education majors only. Achievement of performance competencies and teaching knowledge on flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone.

MUED 305. Methods and Techniques: Brass. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. For music education majors only. Achievement of performance competencies and teaching knowledge on trumpet, baritone, tuba, trombone and French horn.

MUED 306. Methods and Techniques: Strings. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. For music education majors only. Achievement of performance competencies and teaching knowledge on violin, viola, cello or bass.

MUED 307. Methods and Techniques: Percussion. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. For music education majors only. Achievement of performance competencies and teaching knowledge on snare drum. Introduction to basic techniques of other percussion instruments.

MUED 350. Music and Social Justice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1.5 lecture and 1.5 field experience hours. 3 credits. This course will introduce students to social justice issues in a local context with a focus on expanding and deepening their knowledge and skills to effect change through active engagement in the community. The course will comprise a 75-minute weekly lecture on VCU's campus and performances in conjunction with the RVA Street Singers. This course will promote an understanding and critical analysis of factors which impact those experiencing homelessness. Guest lecturers will present on such topics as diverse populations, mental health, chronic illness, food insecurity, housing instability and other social justice issues. The rehearsals with RVA Street Singers will promote skillful physical activities, musical development, mental engagement and aesthetic sensitivity to benefit personal well-being. Students from various disciplines across the university will exchange skill sets, work together to develop their cultural sensitivity with specific insights to the homeless population, interact with and provide support for the RVA Street Singers, and come to understand the effect of community singing in a highly diverse adult population.

MUED 380. Introduction to Music Education. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 2 laboratory hours. 2 credits. Enrollment is restricted to students admitted to music education candidacy by the Department of Music. An introduction to the profession of music education. Emphasis on the study of the historical development of music education in the U.S. along with current thinking, trends, practices and approaches in the profession, and the formation of a personal philosophy of music education. Substantial practicum experience is a fundamental aspect of this course.

MUED 381. Methods and Practicum in Elementary Music Education. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 2 laboratory hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: MUED 380. Study of current methods and materials of music education at the elementary level. Orff, Dalcroze, Kodaly, Gordon and other current music education approaches for the young child will be discussed, observed and demonstrated. An intensive directed practicum is a fundamental aspect of this course.

MUED 382. Secondary Methods, Materials and Instruction Techniques. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 2 laboratory hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: APPM 381, MUED 381, or permission of the instructor and a passing score on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment. Corequisite: MUED 386. Enrollment is restricted to music education majors. Development of the varied skills required to successfully plan, teach and select materials to nurture the individual growth of each student within the secondary music ensemble. Emphasis will be placed on understanding, evaluating and selecting curricular resources; methodologies for teaching state and national standards in music; inclusive teaching practices; effective rehearsal strategies; and literature developmentally appropriate for the musical growth of students. A minimum 30-hour practicum placement in a high school is a fundamental aspect of this course.

MUED 384. Marching Band Techniques. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 1 laboratory hour. 2 credits. Prerequisite: MUED 380. Discussion of marching band techniques that address the different components of preparation, rehearsal and presentation of events. The application of topics and discussions are presented with marching band choreography using computer software simulation.

MUED 385. Music Education Technology and Arranging. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 1 laboratory hour. 2 credits. Prerequisite: MUED 380. Basic understanding of current technology in the field of music education. Specific skills developed for arranging school-aged ensembles with CAI, sequencing, productivity software and basic sound reinforcement will be the primary focus.

MUED 386. Organization and Administration of a Secondary School Music Program. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. Prerequisites: APPM 381 and MUED 381, or permission of instructor and a passing score on the VCLA. Corequisite: MUED 382. Enrollment is restricted to music education majors. The course provides preservice teachers with the opportunity to develop the skills required to successfully lead and administer a secondary school music program. Emphasis will be placed on understanding program structure, program development, student assessment, classroom management, professional expectations of a teacher in the secondary setting, inclusive practices that welcome all students into secondary music.

MUED 483. Special Workshop in Music Education. 0.5-3 Hours.

Semester course; 0.5-3 credits. Flexible semester courses on selected aspects of music education. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

MUED 485. Music Education Student Teaching I: Elementary. 6 Hours.

Semester course; 6 field experience hours. 6 credits. Prerequisites: MUED 382, APPL 416 and a passing score on the Praxis II Music Content Knowledge. Corequisite: MUED 486. Enrollment is restricted to students with a 3.0 overall GPA. The culminating field experience for music education students. An eight-week directed internship at the elementary general music education level. This course and its corequisite provide sequential experience and responsibilities for planning and instruction of music education for children in the P-12 setting.

MUED 486. Music Education Student Teaching II: Secondary. 6 Hours.

Semester course; 6 field experience hours. 6 credits. Prerequisites: MUED 382, APPL 416 and a passing score on the Praxis II Music Content Knowledge. Corequisite: MUED 485. Enrollment is restricted to students with a 3.0 overall GPA. The culminating field experience for music education students. An eight-week directed internship at the secondary instrumental or choral music education level. This course and its corequisite provide sequential experience and responsibilities for planning and instruction of music education for children in the P-12 setting.

MUED 583. Special Workshop in Music Education. 0.5-3 Hours.

Semester course; 0.5-3 credits. Flexible term courses on selected aspects of music education. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

MUED 591. Topics in Music Education. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits with different topics. Flexible semester courses in selected topics in music education philosophy, curriculum, integrated and interdisciplinary arts, technology and selected topics of current interest or needs relative to music education. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

MUED 600. Seminar in Music Education. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. May be repeated up to two times with different topics. Investigation of contemporary issues and problems in music education. Students will present oral reports and written papers, which explore new directions and implications for music educators and music education programs.

MUED 604. Choral Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will seek to develop the skills of the choral conductor in rehearsal and performance. Instruction in rehearsal technique and pacing, conducting technique and interpretive gesture, choral diction, score analysis and preparation, performance practices, and the affective/effective conductor will be applied to individual student performance at the podium.

MUED 606. Choral Literature and Style. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will provide the practicing choral musician with a survey of choral repertoire through the ages, highlighting various genres within each historical period. Emphasis will be placed on stylistic considerations and performance practices. Students will be engaged in determining the standards which define quality choral repertoire.

MUED 608. Teaching the Adolescent Singer. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. In this course students will study psychological, behavioral and developmental aspects of the young singer. An in-depth look at the characteristics of the changing male and female voice will include research and conclude with observations of adolescent voices. The class will also cover range, registration and choral repertoire appropriate for the various stages of the adolescent singer.

MUED 610. Psychology of Music. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an introduction of the psychological foundations of music behavior. Topics will include functions of music in human society and culture, psychoacoustics of musical sound, cognitive processes of music perception and the creation/recreation of music, affective response, music learning theories and measurement of musical ability and learning.

MUED 614. Instrumental Conducting Techniques. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Students in this class will discuss literature, score study strategies, rehearsal techniques and ensemble motivation issues. Conducting technique and rehearsal technique will be developed by hands-on experiences with a workshop band, as well as through guided discussions and classroom sessions. The goal is personal musical growth and enhanced podium effectiveness for each participant.

MUED 616. Researching the Wind Band: Strategies and Resources. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This class is designed to enable students to gain greater access to information relative to all aspects of the wind band. Students will become familiar with a wide variety of sources including written materials, Web-based materials, recordings, video and organizations. There will also be assignments to acquaint students with methods used in the various facets of wind band research.

MUED 618. History and Literature of the Wind Band. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. In this class students will study the historical development of wind bands and wind band repertoire. The result of this study will be to enable students to evaluate new repertoire by comparison to masterworks and to be able to place pieces into a historical continuum. Studying the history of wind bands is necessary to understand the current state of the profession and how wind bands fit into the broader spectrum of music history.

MUED 620. Introduction to Research in Music Education. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Development of fundamental skills necessary to understand and evaluate research in music education. Focuses on the basic principles, concepts and techniques of research methodology applied specifically to music education. Includes introduction to quantitative, qualitative, ethnographic and historical methodology.

MUED 676. School Music Supervision and Administration. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. The study of the organization, curriculum, course content, administration, and personnel problems in public school music.

MUED 783. Final Project in Music Education. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 laboratory hour. 1 credit. May be repeated for a total of 5 credits. The final project is an intensive experience in identifying and developing a topic of interest and value to the student and the profession, and the final presentation of that topic. This course is part of the culminating process for the music education track in the Master of Music program. As an individualized project/course, the faculty chair provides initial approval and gauges progress toward completion of the final project. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain consistent communication with their chair throughout the semester to ensure adequate progress is being made. Completion is determined by the final approval of the faculty chair and committee (if applicable). Completion of the final project is not determined by total number of credits earned in the course. Graded as S/U/F.

MUED 799. Thesis. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Permission of the music education coordinator. Preparation of a thesis based on independent research.