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Graduate & Professional | Hybrid

Master of Music in Music Education

Looking to advance in your current career field or better prepare yourself to begin teaching? Belmont's Master of Music in Music Education is for you!

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College of Music & Performing Arts

Angela Stenzel
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.8307
Email Angela

Why Study Music Education? 

Belmont University’s Master of Music in Music Education is a hybrid-style program designed for practicing music educators who desire to expand their knowledge in order to better serve the students in their classroom. The program focuses on current research and explores innovative practices ready for classroom use. The curriculum keeps the working teacher in mind and allows candidates to expand on their real-world experiences through examining important topics in the field of education. 

With our hybrid-style program that features two fully online semesters, candidates have the opportunity to advance their careers without the leaving the field. The program structure provides hands-on learning opportunities with instructors, along with individual support exploring new practices during field-based learning. The ability to participate in the program virtually while maintaining a working position as a teacher is a unique advancement the College of Music and Performing Arts is proud to offer.

What You'll Learn

  • Music research tools, materials and techniques
  • Contemporary issues in music education
  • Methodologies for teaching in your preferred specialization. Philosophical/historical background, exemplary techniques and resource materials are presented to clarify these methodologies as optional approaches for teaching music to children.
  • Conducting skills, by taking an advanced choral or advanced instrumental conducting course
  • A broad knowledge base of repertory

Pathways

director orchestrating a symphonyINSTRUMENTAL
Explore commercial styles and advance your knowledge of technology and repertoire.

CHORAL
Study best practices in vocal health and rehearsal techniques, along with commercial and contemporary styles of music.

GENERAL MUSIC
Gain skills in the areas of piano, world drumming, guitar, and advanced technology in the classroom.

Requirements for Entry

  • Applicants must hold a valid K-12 license to teach Vocal, Instrumental and/or General
    Music, and be a current, in-service teacher.
  • Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years, full-time teaching experience.

In lieu of an audition, applicants will submit a video sample of themselves teaching, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Requirements include: 

  • Ensuring the video is at least 10 minutes in length, no more than 15. 
  • Teaching to a live group of students. 
  • Including an additional video of a performance, no more than 10 minutes in length, if teaching at the secondary level. 
  • Teaching should showcase desired pathway. 
  • Two letters of recommendation are required for entry. One letter should speak
    to the applicant’s musical ability, the other to the applicant’s teaching abilities.
  • The writing sample should detail the applicant’s current Philosophy of Music Education.

The dealine to apply for the Summer 2024 Cohort is April 26th.

Program Details

View all program requirements.

  • Introduction to Music Research: Introduction to music research tools, materials, and techniques. The focus of the course will include major references and indexes, database, and internet research. The course will be relevant to all majors and will encompass both quantitative and qualitative research. A research project relating to the student’s major will be required.
  • Music History Seminar: A series of in-depth topical seminars for graduate music students which will cover a wide range of periods, composers, and musical genres. Prerequisites: MUG 5010 or passing score on Graduate History Placement Exam.
  • Analytical Techniques: Advanced study in the analysis of music from across a range of genres and styles. In addition to traditional harmonic and formal analysis, a variety of techniques will be explored and may include LaRue style analysis; analysis of rhythm and meter; and an introduction to Schenkerian and related linear-reductive systems. Prerequisites: MUG 5020 or passing score on Graduate Theory Placement Exam.
  • Culminating Project/Comprehensive Examinations: MUG 6000 includes the terminal requirements for the M.M. degree. All students are required to successfully complete comprehensive written and oral examinations and a culminating project which varies, depending on the student’s particular track. Options and requirements for each culminating track are described in Guidelines for the Master of Music Degree accessed through the Belmont University Portal. Students should register for the course during their final semester of enrollment. The class is graded pass/fail. Prerequisites: Student must have achieved Candidacy status.
  • Graduate Chamber Music Studies: Composed of graduate students interested in pursuing the chamber repertoire for their applied area. Requires two (2) hours of rehearsal and 30 minutes of coached time per week. A Graduate Chamber Music Studies Contract designating a coach and planned repertoire must be completed by student and coach and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Prerequisites: Permission of director required.
  • Ensemble Internship: Graduate students may select an internship with any of the following School of Music classical instrumental or choral ensembles: Instrumental - Belmont Wind Ensemble, Belmont Orchestra, Belmont Percussion Ensemble, Belmont Guitar Ensemble, Belmont Jazz Ensemble; Choral -Belmont Chamber Singers, Belmont Chorale, University Singers, Nashville Children’s Choir, Opera Workshop, Oratorio Chorus, Women’s Choir. An Internship Contract must be completed and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, describing specific responsibilities of the internship (e.g. assistant director, lead roles, etc.). Limited to two semesters of participation. Prerequisites: Permission of director required.
  • Graduate Ensemble Studies: Graduate students may participate in an approved School of Music ensemble. Prerequisites: Permission of ensemble director and instructor required.
  • Foundations of Music Education (Music Education Core): Foundations of Music Education provides an overview of the historical, philosophical, and psychological foundations of Music Education. Course content explores curricular design reflecting these diverse components of the field of Music Education.
  • Contemporary Issues in Music Education (Music Education Core): The course will prepare music educators to be conversant with and knowledgeable about current education topics / issues / trends which impact music education. Students will engage in current issues of curriculum and investigate sources for curriculum models; study the major landmarks, trends, and tools in music education assessment and accountability; consider legal and political issues related to education, and function as a community of leaders as they examine these and other topics related to general education as well as to music education.
  • Methods and Materials in Elementary/Middle School Music Education (Music Education Specialization Elementary/Middle School): This course provides an overview of major contemporary systems of elementary/middle school music teaching. Philosophical/historical background, exemplary techniques and resource materials are presented to clarify these methodologies as optional approaches for teaching music to children.
  • Kodaly OR Orff Pedagogy (Music Education Specialization Elementary/Middle School): Students choose between participation in Kodaly or Orff Pedagogy
  • Advanced Choral Techniques (Secondary Choral): An advanced choral conducting course which emphasizes continuing attention to physical skills of conducting, score analysis, interpretation and rehearsal procedures.
  • Choral Literature (Secondary Choral): Explores the significant choral literature of all styles and periods. Building a broad knowledge base of choral repertory and developing understanding of performance practice is emphasized. Attention is also given to selecting appropriate materials for specific groups.
  • Instrumental Technique and Repertory (Instrumental): An advanced instrumental conducting course which emphasizes continuing attention to physical skills of conducting, score analysis and interpretation, rehearsal skills and repertory development. Emphasis will be placed on exploration of musical materials appropriate for student instrumental groups.
  • Instrumental Literature(Instrumental): A historical survey of major instrumental music literature through the study of selected pieces from the solo, chamber, wind band and orchestral repertoire.

You'll have a variety of opportunities in Belmont's Master's of Music in Music Education program including:

  • Participating in ensembles with other students passionate about music
  • Performing in state-of-the-art performance halls
  • Joining a thriving and creative musical community in Nashville

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

1. Apply to the University

*Applicants to the M.M. in Music Education program must hold a valid K-12 license to teach Vocal, Instrumental and/or General Music, be a current in-service teacher, and have a minimum of 2 years, full-time teaching experience in order to be considered for acceptance.*
  • Create a BU4U account
  • Complete the Belmont University Graduate Studies Application for Admission
  • Pay the $50 Application Fee

2. Submit Supplemental Materials

Once the application is submitted and the application fee is paid, an email will be sent with instructions for submitting the supplemental pieces of the application. Applicants will be required to provide the following:

  1. Two completed recommendation forms. At least one recommendation must be completed by an individual who can address the applicant's musical abilities. The other recommendation must be completed by an individual who can address the applicant's teaching abilities. 
  2. A video sample of you teaching to a live group of students. This video should be 10-15 minutes in length. If you teach at the secondary level, please also include a video of a performance, no more than 10 minutes in length.
  3. A writing sample from undergraduate academic course work. The writing sample should detail the applicant's current Philosophy of Music Education.
  4. Statement of Purpose. This one-page essay should describe why you are interested in the desired degree program and Belmont University, and address your personal and professional career goals.
  5. Official transcripts of all previous college and masters level work. International applicants with college level coursework from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (wes.org). Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students who have earned below a 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deadlines

All prospective students should apply as soon as possible to submit their application, including all supplemental materials by the deadlines.

3. Audition for the School of Music

All applicants are required to audition for the School of Music. The audition for this program is replaced with a supplemental video requirement and an interview with our Graduate Music Education faculty. Applicants will be contacted regarding the interview once their supplemental materials have been reviewed.

Audition Dates


In lieu of an audition, applicants will submit a video sample of themselves teaching, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Please include the link to your video with your supplemental materials.

Video requirements:

  • Ensuring the video is at least 10 minutes in length, no more than 15. 
  • Teaching to a live group of students. 
  • Including an additional video of a performance, no more than 10 minutes in length, if teaching at the secondary level. 
  • Teaching should showcase desired pathway. 
  • Include “liner notes” detailing background information on the audio or video submitted.
  • An interview with a Graduate Music Education faculty member. The interview portion can be in person on campus or via online meeting.

How to format and submit materials

All musical selections should be uploaded to YouTube. The video must be set to “unlisted” and viewable by anyone with the link. Please do not email video files directly. Any video files received directly via email will not be reviewed.

Submit PDF file(s) in the “Supplemental Materials” section of your Belmont University application. Use the example below as a guide for liner notes.

Liner Notes Template

  • Student Name
  • Intended Major and Emphasis
  • Principal Instrument
  • The following details for each musical selection:
    • Title
    • Songwriter/Composer
    • Date of recording
    • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)
    • YouTube link.
      • Please upload your video to YouTube and provide the link on the PDF document. The video must be set to “unlisted” and viewable by anyone with the link. Please do not email video files directly. Any video files received directly via email will not be reviewed.

All scholarships will be distributed based on the strength of the audition. All applicants are considered for scholarships.

Learn more about the Program

Request Information

Contact Us

College of Music & Performing Arts

Angela Stenzel
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.8307
Email Angela