Music Education (BME)

What is A Music Education (BME) Degree?

The study of Music involves learning the nitty-gritty about the structure of music, how the notes are put together in artistic and creative ways, how instruments and voices blend to create various sounds and emotions, how to perform using various musical instruments, and how music varies around the world.  The majority of music majors spend a big portion of their study on improving their own performance skills as a singer or musician.  This usually culminates with a third or fourth-year recital in which the student performs for an audience.

The BME degree in Music Education prepares students to teach music at all different age levels all the way from preschool to older adults.  But the focus is on preparing students to teach in K-12 classrooms.  You’ll be prepared to teach music in general classroom instruction, band, choral, and strings.  To apply to a Music Ed Bachelor’s program, you may need to demonstrate your proficiency with your major instrument or voice, and it’s likely that your performance portfolio will improve during your Bachelor’s studies through applied music lessons. In addition to general education, coursework will include subjects like music theory and composition, musicology, piano skills, ensembles, applied music lessons, conducting and rehearsing, and applied music education skills for each genre of performance.  In addition to teaching, music educators can also be employed in fields such as music librarian, church music director, or music composer.

The video below discusses a “typical” program, so it should help regardless of which school you are considering.