Music Education
Bachelor of Music
Teaching, performing, and intensive academic study at Nazareth prepare you to thrive as a music teacher and inspire future musicians.
Nazareth's School of Music believes to teach well, you must also perform well, and supports you in achieving a high level of musical artistry on your primary instrument. Your curriculum includes professional courses in instrumental, choral, and general music methods, liberal arts courses to enrich and deepen your learning, and an emphasis on practice-teaching experiences throughout your program.
Highlights
Become well prepared for New York State Dept. of Education initial music education certification (Pre-K to grade 12)
70+ study abroad options include Austria and Italy for music education
Join student chapters of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Choral Directors Association, American String Teacher Association
Perform in the excellent acoustics of our state-of-the-art, 550-seat Glazer Music Performance Center
Career Paths
- Public school teacher
- Private school teacher
- Private music teacher
- College-level faculty
- Liturgical music performer
4+1 Option
Undergraduate music education students may elect to enter the 4+1 program to complete a master's in music education (M.S.Ed.) in one additional year. You would complete two degrees in five years.
Employers
- Columbia University
- Boston University
- Pittsford Central School District
- Brighton Central School District
- Penfield School District
- Eastman School of Music
99%
of new Nazareth grads are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation
1,631
high-impact experiential learning experiences completed by the undergraduate class of 2024
$4,000
Our SPARK Grant provides up to $4,000 for you to pursue internships, research, and study abroad. SPARK details »
Meant to Teach
How to Audition
Auditions are required for this major. View audition details and register »
Program Director
Alumni Spotlight
“Nazareth is so much more than a college — it’s a community, a culture, and an environment where I was able to grow, learn, and feel supported every step of the way. I transferred to Naz after two years at a large state university where I didn’t have the best experience. I was really looking for a place where the professors would know me by name and where I could truly grow as a musician, and I found that at Nazareth. The professors were kind and patient and brought a level of musicianship that I admired. We had hands-on teaching experiences starting early in the program, not just in student teaching. The music education program fully prepared me to step confidently into my own classroom after graduation. From lesson planning to classroom management, from working with different age groups to adapting for different types of learners, the program gave me the skills and real-world experience that I needed to succeed.”
— Amy Martin Perras '05, Ed.D., was immediately hired as an elementary music teacher and has moved into leadership roles, including instructional supervisor for music, art, and library media for Milford Public Schools in Connecticut and national committee roles enabling her to collaborate with arts leaders nationwide to develop resources and advocacy for music educators.