choire members holding folders with lyrics

College of Arts and Humanities

Choral Music Education

Bachelor of Music | Major

Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education

Our Music Education Program has a long history of being one of the top programs in the region.

A degree in Music Education prepares you to teach music in K-12 but also provides you with the support to become an accomplished musician through theory-to-practice opportunities and experiences. There are two options for our music teacher degree: Instrumental Emphasis and Choral Emphasis. Our Choral Emphasis is perfect if you wish to pursue teaching positions with a choral focus. 

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Department of Music

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What You'll Study

Academic Catalog | Music Department Website

 

Core Courses

Music Theory

  • MUS 144 - Theory 1
  • MUS 144A - Aural Skills 1
  • MUS 145 - Theory 2
  • MUS 145A - Aural Skills 2
  • MUS 146 - Theory 3
  • MUS 146A - Aural Skills 3
  • MUS 244 - Theory 4
  • MUS 245 - Theory 5
  • MUS 246 - Theory 6

Class Piano

  • MUS 152A - Class Piano I
  • MUS 153A - Class Piano II
  • MUS 154A - Class Piano III

Applied Music

  • MUS 300 - Recital Performance

Individual Instruction

  • MUS 164 - Major Applied Area (Individual Instruction)
  • MUS 264 - Major Applied Area (Individual Instruction)
  • MUS 364 - Major-applied Area (Individual Instruction)

Conducting

  • MUS 341 - Conducting I
  • MUS 342 - Conducting II

Music History

  • MUS 359 - Survey of Music in Cross-cultural Perspectives
  • MUS 372 - Music History 1
  • MUS 373 - Music History 2
  • MUS 374 - Music History 3

Primary Ensembles

  • Choir
  • Chamber Choir
  • Vox Divina Soprano/Alto Choir
  • Wildcat Tenor/Bass Chorus

Required Courses 

  • MUS 240 - Diction in Singers I (Intro to IPA, Italian, Latin, English)  
  • MUS 241 - Diction for Singers 2 (Advanced IPA and German)  
  • OR  MUS 242 - Diction for Singers 3 (Advanced IPA and French)  
  • MUS 323 - Choral Music Education  
  • MUS 329 - General Music Methods 
  • MUS 425B - Pedagogy, Vocal 

Upper-Division Music Theory 

Choose one course from the following: 

  • MUS 340 - Form and Analysis  
  • MUS 422 - Orchestration 
  • MUS 485 - Choral Arranging 

Secondary Education Program or Professional Education Program 

  • Professional Education Program  
  • Secondary Education Major, BAEd 

Choral Training

Immerse yourself in a curriculum focused on vocal techniques, choral literature, and ensemble performance, preparing you to lead choirs in K-12 settings.

Classroom Experience

Apply your skills through hands-on teaching placements in local schools, gaining real-world experience in classroom and ensemble settings.

Conducting and Leadership

Lead CWU’s vocal ensembles as part of your conducting courses, sharpening your ability to inspire and direct diverse groups of singers.

Expert Mentorship

Learn from faculty with extensive expertise in choral performance, vocal instruction, and music education, ensuring you receive guidance from leaders in the field.

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Financial Aid

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Student Life

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The best way to discover what makes CWU so special is to experience it yourself. 

Small

Classes

Engage in a close-knit learning environment with small class sizes that foster collaboration and personalized attention.

NASM

Accreditation

Train in a program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), ensuring your education meets the highest professional standards.

Apply for

Scholarships

Access over 40 scholarships and waivers specifically for music students, with $260,000 awarded annually.

Why Study Music at Central?

  • Experience a wide range of music courses, from theory and history to performance and analysis, giving you a well-rounded foundation in music.
  • Choose from a variety of music electives that align with your interests and goals in performance, composition, music history, and more.
  • Engage with students from other artistic disciplines, such as film and theatre, to create multimedia projects that expand your experience beyond traditional music settings.
  • Perform in nationally and internationally recognized ensembles led by world-renowned conductors, showcasing your talents on prominent stages around the world.

Recent Alumni Success

Choral Teacher

Instrumental Teacher

Elementary Ed Teacher

Education outreach for professional symphonies