Music Education

Applying to Choral Music Education (Secondary Music Education – Choral Emphasis)

Students seeking membership in the Choral Music Education Program must apply directly to the major. This can only be done by completing Music 176 “Careers in Music Education.” This is a 1 credit hour class offered during winter and summer terms. To see the schedule for when this course is offered, please click here. This course leads students through the entire application process including gathering recommendations, compiling application materials, participating in a live vocal audition, and completing an interview with Dr. Broomhead.

Purpose of Music 176:

Music 176 can be completed in two to four weeks and is only 1 credit. It is possible to take the course in the summer without committing an entire summer to school. Each year, approximately 50 students enroll in Music 176 and apply to the Choral Education Program. BYU has the resources to admit 12. For the sake of the students, it is extremely important that faculty members make the best decisions possible. The first thing that needs to happen is that certain students discover for themselves that they are not as compatible with the profession as they originally thought. They “weed” themselves out simply by not completing the formal application process. Others are not strong contenders because of major musical or academic issues. When all is said and done, there are still numerous qualified contenders for the 12 spots in the major (something like 20-30). In order to get the “right” people in the major, faculty members have to get to know them quite a bit more deeply than a brief audition process allows. After students have submitted class assignments, prepared portfolios, auditioned, and interviewed individually with members of the choral education faculty, the likelihood of selecting people who are compatible with the profession of music teaching increases dramatically.

Audition:

For all students applying for Choral Music Education (only), a special live audition is held at the conclusion of Music 176 both in the winter and summer terms. No other vocal audition is necessary to be considered for Music Education. If an applicant is applying to the program for the 2nd time, he/she need not retake Music 176 but may sign up for an audition by contacting the Music Education Assistant before January 15th for winter auditions and July 1st for summer auditions (music.ed.assistant@gmail.com). These auditions typically take place at the beginning of February and in mid July. To prepare for your audition, please review the audition requirements.

Incoming Freshman:

In order to start the Choral Education Program in the fall of the freshman year, incoming freshmen must complete Music 176 during the summer term prior to their first Fall Semester. It is worth noting that the Choral Music Education major is a limited enrollment program (LEP) and incoming freshmen must compete with current freshmen and even some sophomores for a spot in the major. While it is possible for incoming freshmen to earn a spot in the program, more frequently they are not successful, and, in lieu of starting the program right away, they focus on General Education requirements and other areas of interest during their first year in college. Often they reapply during Winter Semester of their first year (they need not retake Music 176) and, if successful, start the program at the beginning of the second year. Given these realities, it makes sense for most students to wait until the winter of the freshman year to enroll in Music 176 and apply for the program. Waiting until during the freshman year to apply does not create any disadvantages for the student!

Admission to the University:

Incoming freshmen who elect to come for Music 176 during the summer prior to the first year may need to change their admission date with the university. The admissions office has indicated that students who want to change their admission date to Summer Term need only request the change. However, once the date is changed to Summer, the Fall spot is forfeited and students MUST attend during the Summer in order to continue in the all. Incoming freshman should contact the admissions office to confirm this information since we cannot officially speak for that office.

For any further questions about the choral music education program, please contact Paul Broomhead.

Applying to Choral Music Education (Secondary Music Education – Choral Emphasis)

Music

Admissions - Undergraduate

Application Process