The Music Education program at Concordia University Chicago provides a unique opportunity to combine music and education to prepare you to teach in elementary or secondary school settings.

This degree will refine your skills to educate children and develop the musician within.

Study Format

  • On Campus

Music Education Program and Degree Overview

This program combines two of Concordia University Chicago's strengths: music and education. We recognize the value of music in the lives of all students, providing quality programs, faculty and ensembles that exceed those of many other universities of comparable size. 

Typically, graduates of a music education degree program pursue teaching positions in elementary or secondary schools as a choir, band and/or orchestra director or as a general music teacher. Upon completion of the BME program, you are qualified for the State of Illinois Type 10 K–12 Music Specialist certificate.

The Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree is considered a professional degree program; that is, it prepares candidates for professional work in music teaching. Like the liberal arts music major, the BME includes academic courses, applied study and ensemble participation. Academic courses encompass the core areas of music theory and aural skills; music history; literature and conducting.

In the BME program, you will take a core of music education and professional education courses. In addition, you will choose a music education emphasis in instrumental, choral or general music. Throughout the course of your studies, you will observe, assist, teach and conduct in music classrooms prior to student teaching.

Concordia offers two specialized certificates that can be added to the BME program: a certificate in parish music (DPM) and a certificate in piano pedagogy. Depending upon interest and ability, graduates may find opportunities for teaching or leadership in these areas. Many music education graduates pursue continued study.

For details about required courses and course descriptions, please visit our online catalog.

 

Music Education Program Opportunities

The Music Department is housed in Kretzmann Hall, which has two large rehearsal rooms, studios for instrumental and voice teaching, practice rooms, five pipe organs, and 35 pianos. Kretzmann also houses a computer lab for music study and composition, and an electronic piano lab for keyboard classes.

CUC’s choral groups are Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate (women’s choir) and Männerchor (men’s choir). Our instrumental groups include Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, University Handbell Choirs, University Band, Jazz Band, Cougar Band and Résonaz.

A short train ride provides access to Chicago’s rich cultural life. Student tickets are available to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera and other performance venues throughout the city as well as free tickets to the Symphony of Oak Park/ River Forest.