Music Education

Why Choose Music Education?

A career as a music teacher gives you the opportunity to pursue your passion and share it with others. In the Music Education program at SRU, you'll enjoy dedicated, individual instruction and mentorship from our highly skilled faculty in a hands-on learning environment. You'll participate in at least 190 hours of real-world experiences through observation, exploration, and teaching in K-12 schools, culminating in 16 weeks of student teaching supervised by a faculty member certified in music education.

The Music Education program also offers opportunities to develop not only your teaching skills, but also your own professional musicianship. You'll be a performer in large and small ensembles, take lessons on your chosen major instrument, and be able to explore solo and ensemble performance opportunities on and off campus.

What Will You Learn?

In SRU's Music Education program, you'll learn:

• Playing and teaching techniques on all instruments, including voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, piano, guitar, and percussion
• Conducting and rehearsal techniques for instrumental and choral ensembles, including bands, choirs, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and marching bands
• Strategies for teaching general music to students in grades K-12
• Administrative skills for all aspects of a school music program, including budgeting, scheduling, traveling with students, and programming for concerts
• Foundational skills in music theory, music history, and ear-training
• Basic skills in arranging, improvising, and music technology
• Effective techniques for teaching diverse learners, including students with special needs and English language-learners
• Strategies for teaching music in a comprehensive and standards-based program

Careers In Music Education

Graduates of the SRU Music Education program have go on to work in areas such as:

• K-12 teaching in public, private, and cyber school music programs
• Private studio teaching
• Teaching in pre-school programs
• Teaching adult learners
• Conducting community bands, choirs, or orchestras
• Leading summer or other community music programs
• Church musician
• Participation in music advocacy and leadership through organizations like the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

Clubs & Organizations

• Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association
• Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity
• SRU Marching Pride

Student/Alumni Spotlight

Bill Redd is a 2014 graduate of the music education program at Slippery Rock University. He talks about how his major is more of a family atmosphere and how he has received great networking experiences. He has been able to do over 300 hours of field work within his major. Bill is involved in several organizations around campus such as the SRU Marching Band and the Student Government. He has been able to travel to Italy to study culture and history.

Billy Redd