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| Degrees Available | About the Music
Education Program |
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Music Education Faculty |
Degrees Available
- Bachelor of Music
- Master of Music Education
- Master of Music Education and Piano Pedagogy
- Master of Music Education and String Pedagogy
- Doctor of Philosophy
About the Music Education Program
| Undergraduate Program | Graduate
Programs |
| Masters of Music in Music Education |
Northwestern University has been in the forefront of music education for
decades, producing literally thousands of teachers that can be found throughout
the world. Flexible programs offer a wide array of coursework — much of it found nowhere else — as
well as options for double majors, added certification, and many opportunities
for independent study.
Classes are small so that students receive individual attention from faculty
who are vitally interested in issues of creative and critical thinking, philosophically
based education, student-centered learning, issues of social context, and music
technology. The Doctoral Research Center CSEME engages graduate students in creative study side by side with faculty, a feature that makes this program especially innovative. All students in the PhD program receive full tuition and a living stipend so that they may fully devote themselves to research and study.
Undergraduate Program
Northwestern's undergraduate program offers distinct advantages. Not only
does its high standards far exceed state and national requirements, but the
quarter system allows for more courses and experiences in four years than are
generally found in other programs, such as "Teaching Composition in the
Schools" and "Technology
for the Music Educator." Students
may elect a double major, usually in education plus a performance area, that
can be completed in four years. Collaborations with over 60 schools in the
Chicago area provide many opportunities for practice teaching, as does the
student-founded Music
Learning Community.
Job placement each year is 100%.
For more information, contact Janet Barrett at j-barrett3@northwestern.edu.
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Graduate Programs
Flexible and individualized are the watchwords of the graduate program. Master's
students design a personalized course of study that includes 8 electives and
4 core courses, blending research and practice. The degree may be earned in
one academic year or during a four-summer program. Graduate assistantships
are available to students during the yearlong program. Students may also receive
in two years a master's degree with certification, if they are not already
certified.
For more information on the master's degree in Music Education, contact Janet
Barrett at j-barrett3@northwestern.edu.
The PhD program in music education is considered one of the
finest anywhere. Interdisciplinary in nature, it combines coursework within
the Bienen School of Music with programs located in many other parts of the
university. Research opportunities abound, supported directly by the Doctoral
Research Center, CSEME. Graduates can be found in prestigious positions at
colleges and universities both here and abroad. All students in this program
receive full tuition and a living stipend so that they may fully devote themselves
to research and study.
For more information on the PhD in Music Education, contact Peter Webster
at pwebster@northwestern.edu.
Important Note
The Music Education Program is closely aligned with the School
of Education and Social Policy teacher education unit. Students receive their K-12
certification from the SESP
certification office. As part of that unit, the
program has adopted the Conceptual
Framework philosophy, created by the teacher
education unit.
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Master of Music in Music Education
| Double Major | Financial Aid | String
Pedagogy & Piano Pedagogy |
| Degree
Requirements | Four-Summer Masters Program |
This flexible degree program provides
a strong foundation in philosophy, research, curriculum design, and technology.
In planning an appropriate course of study, students may draw upon the
resources of the Bienen School of Music and the entire University to meet individual
professional interests and needs. Those with successful teaching experience
and who are already certified to teach can complete the program in a year-long,
three quarter sequence, or during four consecutive summer quarters.
For more information on masters degree in Music Education, contact Janet Barrett
at j-barrett3@northwestern.edu.
Master’s Degree with Teaching Certification
Students who do not already hold teaching certification may obtain
it by completing the program requirements for the master of music
in addition to:
- course work that leads to certification in the state of Illinois
- appropriate field experience
- formal student teaching
This degree program, which generally comprises two years of full-time
study, is not available to students in the four-summer master’s
program.
Double Major
Students may combine the music education master’s degree
with a master’s program in another area within the Bienen
School of Music (such as conducting or performance) to pursue a
degree with two majors. Students must meet the requirements for
admission of both programs. Double majors require additional quarters
of study.
Financial Aid
Aid is available for students in the year-long or multi-year
curriculum only. Aid is not available for students in the summer
program.
String Pedagogy and Piano Pedagogy Programs
The Bienen School of Music maintains separate pages for the string
pedagogy and piano pedagogy programs. These programs offer Masters
degrees in "Music Education and String Pedagogy" and "Music
Education and Piano Pedagogy."
Masters of Music in Music Education
Degree Requirements
Coursework
- Foundation Courses (required)
- Philosophical Bases of Music Education
- Paradigms and Processes of Research
- Technology, Computers, and the Musical Experience
- Curriculum Development in Music Education
- Professional Emphasis and Electives. Students
take two related courses that form a professional emphasis.
- Instrumental Music/Conducting. Courses
may be chosen from music education, instrumental
music education, conducting, arranging, and instrumental
music
- Choral Music/Conducting. Courses
may be chosen from music education, choral music
education, conducting, and choral music.
- Alternative Emphasis. Courses may
be chosen from an area that meets a special need
(requires approval of a written plan outline). Examples
include general music, music technology, composition,
creative thinking administration and supervision,
music and psychology, ethnic music, music and medicine.
- Music History, Theory, and Aural Skills
Diagnostic exams in music theory are used to advise students
in the selection of appropriate theory courses. Students are encouraged
to conduct a self-analysis of their strengths and weaknesses in
music history and aural skills and may elect courses in these areas.
Although specific courses are not required, students must demonstrate
their understanding of history and theory through special domain
projects as part of the portfolio process.
Applied Music and Ensemble Participation
Private study is available for students achieving the “300” level
or higher in their entering performance audition, with a maximum
of three units counting toward the degree. All students are
required to participate in ensemble(s) during their residency at
Northwestern. Ensemble credit does not count toward the 12
units required for graduation.
Teaching Demonstration
All students must show evidence of outstanding teaching ability
in a professional setting. Of particular importance is the application
of coursework to teaching and learning. If student teaching
is part of a degree program, this experience will count as the
teaching demonstration.
Final Oral Examination and Portfolio
A final examination is scheduled during the final week at Northwestern
to provide closure for the master’s program. At the time
of the oral exams, students present their portfolios. These portfolios
include domain projects in music theory, music history, and in
areas of particular interest to the student.
The degree requirements of the year-long curriculum can also be
completed in a four-summer master’s program. Students typically
take three courses and participate in an ensemble each summer,
with the oral examination and portfolio presentation scheduled
during the fourth summer.
Contact for further information:
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Music Education Faculty
Carlos Abril
Associate Professor, Music Education
c-abril@northwestern.edu - 847-467-1606
PhD, The Ohio State University
Recent Activity
General and elementary music education specialist. Research interests include
the sociocultural nature of teaching and learning, music perception, and arts
education policy. Author of chapters in several books and articles in journals
such as Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music
Education, International
Journal of Music Education, Journal of Research in
Music Education, Music Education
Research, Music Educators Journal, Contributions
to Music Education, and Orff
Echo. Co-editor of the book Musical Experience in
Our Lives. Editorial board
member of journals in the U.S. and Spain. Music arrangements and instructional
materials published by World Music Press and Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. Certified
in Orff Schulwerk and trained in Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Former general music
and choral specialist for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he received
the Cervantes Outstanding Educator Award. 
Janet R. Barrett
Associate Professor, Music Education
j-barrett3@northwestern.edu - 847-467-1258
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Recent Activity
Coordinator, Music Education Program. General music specialist and researcher.Research
interests in curriculum studies, interdisciplinary approaches in music education,
and professional development in music teacher education. Co-author of Looking
In On Music Teaching (McGraw-Hill/Primis, 2000) and Sound Ways of
Knowing: Music in the Interdisciplinary Curriculum (Schirmer, 1997). Contributor
to the New Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning, the International
Handbook of Research in Arts Education, Music Education Research, Bulletin
of the Council for Research in Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education. Taught
general and choral music in Iowa and Wisconsin. Chair-elect of the Society
for Music Teacher Education.
Robert Boyd
Lecturer, Music Education
r-boyd@northwestern.edu
MMus, Northwestern University
Recent Activity
Specialist in Secondary Choral Music Education. Taught choral
music and music theory for 33 years at Lyons Township High School
in La Grange, IL. Previously served as choral division vice president of the
Illinois Music Educators Association, a position he held from 1991-97. Served
the Illinois Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in various
capacities, and is currently secretary of the state organization.
Honored in 2003 by the National Federation Interscholastic Music Association
as Outstanding Music Educator of Illinois—the first Illinois choral director
in the state to be so honored. Awarded in 2006 the
Harold A. Decker Award for career choral excellence by the Illinois chapter
of the ACDA. His choral groups have been invited to perform at the IMEA,
ACDA-Illinois, and ACDA Central Division conventions. Frequent guest
choral conductor/clinician.
Bernard J. Dobroski
John Evans Professor of Music, Music Education
bjdobroski@northwestern.edu -
847-491-5716
PhD, Northwestern University
Recent Activity
Former dean of the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music (1990-2003) and
dean of the University of Oregon School of Music (1986-1990). Tubist, keyboard
performer and music educator. Former member of the United States Navy Band
in Washington, D.C. Other activity as author/editor, conductor, impresario,
and in fundraising/marketing in higher education. Currently teaching graduate
and undergraduate courses in the Bienen School of Music, as well as in the
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. 
Maud Hickey
Associate Professor, Music Education
mhickey@northwestern.edu - 847-467-4726
PhD, Northwestern University
Research focus on children's compositions and improvisations, as well as using
technology to facilitate these processes. Most recent work involves using composition
and improvisation with at-risk students. Author of chapters in several books
and articles in journals such as in Music Educators Journal, General
Music Today, Journal of Research in Music Education, and Research
Studies in Music Education. Currently vice president of the International Society for Improvised
Music and secretary for the College Music Society. 
James Kjelland
Associate Professor, Music Education/String Pedagogy
kjelland@northwestern.edu - 847-491-4769
PhD, University of Texas at Austin
Instrumental music specialist. Instructor and coordinator of string education and pedagogy. Active conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and consultant. Contributing author to: Teaching Stringed Instruments: A Course of Study, comprehensive string class method Strictly Strings, The Science and Psychology of Music Performance, and Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra. Author of Orchestral Bowing: Style & Function and numerous journal articles on string pedagogy in The American String Teacher, The Instrumentalist, and Council for Research in Music Education. Member, American String Teachers Association, Music Educators National Conference, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Former faculty member: University of Southern California, R. D. Colburn School of Performing Arts, and University of North Texas.
Peter R. Webster
John W. Beattie Professor of Music Education and Technology
pwebster@northwestern.edu -
847-467-1682
PhD, Eastman School of Music
Recent Activity
Chair, Department of Music Studies. Music
education and music technology specialist. Author of Measures
of Creative Thinking in Music, an exploratory tool for assessing music
thinking using quasi-improvisational tasks. Coauthor of book and DVD Experiencing
Music Technology (Thomson/Schirmer,
2006) and over 70 book chapters and articles on technology, music cognition,
and children's creative thinking in music and its assessment. Presents at many
state, national, and international meetings and is a frequent keynote speaker.
Supervise student teaching. Directs the PhD Program in Music Education and
leads the Center for the Study of Education and the Music Experience (CSEME).
Editorial board member, Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal for
Technology in Music Learning, International Journal of Education in the Arts,
Research Studies in Music Education, and the Asia-Pacific Journal for Arts
Education. Also teaches in the music cognition and music technology programs.
Peter
Webster's personal site.
Susan Young
Lecturer, Music Education
susan-young@northwestern.edu
MMus, Amercian Conservatory of Music; CAS in Administration, National-Louis
University
Recent Activity
Specialist in elementary and middle school choral and general music. Conducting
studies with John Paynter, William Ballard, David B. Larsen, Fred Waring, Tom
Hilbish, and Jack Boyd, among others. Piano
studies with Wanda Paul, Bruno Glade, and William Browning. Currently Choirmaster
of the Evanston Symphony Festival Chorus, Founder and Director "Y'All
Come Choir" Northbrook, IL. Recipient of the Mary E. Hoffman
Award for Excellence in music teaching from IMEA. Former member of ISBE Fine
Arts Advisory Panel and Advisory Committee on Professional Standards. Guest
lecturer in Middle School Choral Methods at Roosevelt University and North
Park University. Member of MENC, IMEA, and ACDA; many "Who's Who" inclusions.
NCESC Award for Innovative use of Technology in the classroom. Over 30 years
exemplary teaching experience in Middle School Music Education (Choral/Vocal).
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