Music Education Handbook

Introduction and Statement of Purpose

You have been approved for entrance into the curriculum for a bachelor of music degree in music education. This handbook is prepared to introduce you to department curriculum and policies. If, after reading this material, you have any questions you may meet with either Cecil Adderley, Chair of the Music Education Department or your departmental advisor. Please feel free to contact them at anytime for an appointment.

The activities of the Music Education Department are designed to support the mission of the Professional Education Division and the mission of the College in general, by insuring that its graduates successfully meet the six standards for effective teaching as prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This will be accomplished by providing learning experiences incorporating classroom, laboratory workshop, seminar, and field/practicum formats, which are designed to achieve the seven educational objectives listed below:

  1. To insure that the music education student is knowledgeable in the field of music and music education both contemporary and past.
  2. To provide the music education student with the means to communicate clearly, understandably, and appropriately with teachers, students and parents.
  3. To enable the music education student to design instruction which will facilitate learning, consistent with the needs and interests of the learners; to provide classroom skills.
  4. To enable the music education student to design various evaluative procedures, and use the results of these procedures to assess the effectiveness of instruction.
  5. To enable the music education student to analyse and think critically, about teaching and learning, and to foster students' creative and analytical thinking skills.
  6. To insure that the music education student is equitable, sensitive, and responsive to all learners.
  7. To ensure that the music education student understands legal and moral responsibilities of the teaching profession.

The curriculum for the bachelor of music degree in music education at berklee has two very specific objectives: 1) to help the student become an accomplished teacher in the music classroom through the acquisition of a basic traditional and contemporary knowledge, practical teaching techniques, and the opportunity to observe and work under successful members of the music teaching profession; 2) to help the student become eligible for licensing to teach music in a public school.