Teaching - All Music, Instrumental Emphasis
Inspire the minds of young musicians with our newly developed teaching - all music, instrumental emphasis major.
Combine Your Love for Music and Teaching
Our renowned music program is known for producing successful graduates. Through a rigorous curriculum and practical experience, you'll gain the skills, tools, and certification necessary to teach music — both instrumental and choral — to grades PK-12. Here, endless ways to learn and grow are available to you. Discover best practices and new perspectives by participating in ensembles, conducting undergraduate research, performing internationally, or studying abroad. Multiple guest artists throughout the year offer additional chances to learn, including special classes, masterclasses, and unique performances.
Our instrumental emphasis also provides specialized courses and learning opportunities for those specifically interested in teaching band and/or orchestra. And the opportunity to assist teachers in their classrooms throughout your four years — as well as student teach for a full semester — will help you to build your leadership skills, identify your preferred teaching style, and discover how to best meet the needs of your learners.
As a UW-Eau Claire music major, you'll quickly find that you earn so much more than just a degree. You'll use your knowledge and passion of music to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Program Details
Accreditation Information
All music degrees from UW-Eau Claire have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Licensure Information
Completion of teacher preparation programs at UW-Eau Claire meets licensure requirements in Wisconsin. Our programs may not meet requirements in other states. It is very important that individuals seeking licensure in another state obtain the most recent certification/licensure information directly from the state in which they seek employment. Find contact information on each state licensure office here.
Licensure requirements can change at any time. UW-Eau Claire’s Teacher Education Program Office ensures that our programs meet the requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. If you seek licensure in another state, be aware that their requirements could change at any time.
The United States Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure concerning whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Please note:
- Obtaining a Wisconsin Teaching License PRIOR to applying for a teaching license in another state is usually helpful and strongly recommended.
- "Meets requirements" means that a student is eligible for a license with stipulations, typically for 1-3 years, in that state. The stipulations are likely to be specific testing requirements and/or competency through a course or examination. In some instances, additional stipulations might be added.
- Licensure grade levels vary from state to state. Students who are eligible for a specific grade range in Wisconsin may be licensed for a narrower grade range in another state. Each state determines grade ranges for licensing differently.
- State licensure requirements may change at any time. Licensure questions should be referred to the Teacher Education Program Office (tep@uwec.edu).
The requirements of this program meet requirements in the following states or territories:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa
The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states:
Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, Washington, D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Our music education degree will provide you with high-impact learning opportunities so you will feel prepared to lead a classroom. Frequent guest artists will introduce you to new music and new ways of thinking. And a full semester of student teaching will further immerse you in the teaching world.
UWEC is home to multiple concert venues, six music classrooms, over 40 practice rooms (including chamber music practice rooms), percussion rooms, a reed room, organ practice rooms, harpsichord practice rooms, an audio recording studio, a music technology lab, a digital piano lab, and several rehearsal rooms. We are also proud to partner with the Eau Claire community's newest performance venue, Pablo Center at the Confluence. This state-of-the-art facility is home to many UWEC classes, rehearsals, and performances.
The Eau Claire community welcomes UWEC music students and invites them to become a part of the rich and vibrant music scene of Eau Claire. Here, you’ll have access to countless productions and on-stage experiences made possible thanks to our partnership with the Pablo Center. Discover the Eau Claire Jazz Festival — the largest student-run festival in the nation — and the Viennese Ball, where music students like you provide the soundtrack to a night of Austrian specialties and Viennese waltzes.
To help you explore career opportunities and make valuable connections, we host an annual Education Job Fair, an on-campus career fair specific for those looking to enter the field of education. This event is an excellent opportunity to make connections and submit your resume for current and future job openings.
Blugold Stories
I never imagined how I could do research in the music education field, but participating in an undergraduate research project has become so meaningful to me. Diversifying the music classroom is so important to help students better understand those different from them and feel seen for who they are.
Whether you are pursuing a major or minor in music, or fulfilling a passion, the strings area at UW-Eau Claire provides rare experiential opportunities that explore the rich traditions of string chamber music and other eras,
Pursuing music education at UW-Eau Claire doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your personal musical growth in order to focus on teaching. Here, you can learn — and excel — in both. Through a variety of ensembles, the chance to learn from guest composers and dozens of high-quality performance opportunities, you’ll discover what it takes to become a well-rounded musician.
I never imagined how I could do research in the music education field, but participating in an undergraduate research project has become so meaningful to me. Diversifying the music classroom is so important to help students better understand those different from them and feel seen for who they are.
Justthe
facts
Where can the teaching - all music, instrumental emphasis program lead me after graduation?
Music education majors leave UW-Eau Claire prepared to inspire young minds. Graduates earn the certification required to teach music in the State of Wisconsin to a variety of ages in public schools, including pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Example Careers
- Elementary music teacher
- Music professor
- Private music instructor
- Freelance musician
- Band director
- Orchestra director
- Accompanist
Recent Graduates
Music teacher
Eau Claire Area School District
Wisconsin
Percussion instructor/arranger
Minnetonka Public Schools
Minnesota
Music teacher
Blessed Savior Catholic School
Wisconsin
Assistant corps director
River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps
Minnesota
Master of music - instrumental conducting
North Dakota State University Graduate School
North Dakota
Music teacher and middle school band
Birnamwood Middle School
Wisconsin
UW-Eau Claire sets you up for success through interactive learning and professional experience. Throughout all four years in the program, you will have multiple opportunities to work with elementary music teachers as well as middle and high school conductors. You'll also spend a semester student teaching.
Courses within the major explore a variety of topics, including theory, history, literature, applied music, conducting, instrument techniques, recital, and ensembles.
Here are a few courses in Teaching - All Music, Instrumental Emphasis at UW-Eau Claire.
MUED 211
Introduction to Music Education
Introduces basic issues and principles of music teaching with an emphasis on observation in classrooms, reflective thinking, comprehensive musicianship, teaching standards, and music content standards.
MUED 401
Instrumental Literature and Conducting
Explores instrumental literature, performance practice, and conducting techniques. Emphasis is placed on artistic interpretation of traditional and contemporary instrumental music and the communication of interpretation through gesture.
MUED 318
Music as Content in Schools
Addresses philosophy of music education, curriculum development, lesson and unit planning, assessment, and management of music classrooms. Includes field experience in which student will experience teaching under the discretion of a cooperating teacher.
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