Furman University

Music Education

Audition and declaration requirements

Furman students intending to major in music must perform an audition and complete a music theory placement examination. Paperwork should be submitted to our department during your sophomore year.

To pursue a music education degree with a focus on elementary music and choral, you must complete two terms of voice study before requesting approval. Any student wishing to major in this area must be approved by the voice faculty as a sophomore during the student's spring voice jury. Declare your major by downloading our form as a PDF.

General requirements

Our majors have the option to pursue one of two areas, instrumental or elementary music/choral. This degree, which includes certification by the South Carolina Department of Education, involves course work in both Furman's music and education departments, as well as an extended supervised teaching internship. Our degree is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

As a university preparing students for certification, Furman is subject to regulations and guidelines established and implemented by the South Carolina Department of Education. These include standards adopted by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education for teacher education programs.

Except for the semester when you are teaching interns, you must enroll in performance study courses every semester. You will also present a 30-minute recital in the designated performance studies area during as a senior. When you complete the course requirements, you will be prepared for South Carolina teaching certification in PK-12 instrumental music or PK-12 choral music based upon the course track within the degree program. You must include:

• A half recital in the junior year
• A full recital in the senior year
• Additional courses according to your performance field

You must receive approval from faculty one month before the recital date.

Core courses:

• Basic Musicianship I (MUS-111)
• Basic Musicianship II (MUS-112)
• Introduction to Music Literature (MUS-120)
• Basic Musicianship III (MUS-211)
• Basic Musicianship IV (MUS-212)
• World Music I (MUS-220)
• Music History I (MUS-221)
• Music History II (MUS-320)
• Music History III (MUS-321)
• Basic Conducting (MUS-352)
• Two credits of performance topics
• Recital Attendance for seven semesters (MUS-050)
• Freshman Music Colloquium for one semester (MUS-051)
• Membership in at least one ensemble: Symphony orchestra (MUS-060), Furman band (MUS-061), Furman Singers (MUS-062), Furman men's chorale (MUS-063), or Furman women's chorale (MUS-064)

Additional courses for majors planning for teacher certification:

• Perspectives on American Education (EDU-111)
• Human Growth and Development (EDU-120)
• Education of Students with Exceptionalities (EDU-221)
• Teaching Internship (EDU-505)
• Orchestration (MUS-312)
• Instrumental Conducting (MUS-353) or Choral Conducting (MUS-354)
• Vocal/Choral Methods (MUS-431)
• At least one course in a natural science discipline (biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, or physics) with a laboratory experience

Additional courses for majors with an instrumental emphasis:

• String Methods (MUS-330)
• Woodwind Methods (MUS-331)
• Brass Methods (MUS-332)
• Percussion Methods (MUS-333)
• Instrumental Music Methods (MUS-432)
• At least 14 credits of performance studies consistent with all credits on the same instrument or voice.

Additional courses for majors with an elementary or choral music emphasis:

• Survey of Choral Literature (MUS-423)
• Music Education Methods (MUS-433)
• Elementary Music Methods (MUS-434)
• Vocal Pedagogy (MUS-450)
• At least 14 credits of performance studies consistent with the chosen emphasis. Vocal majors should have at least 14 credits of voice and piano majors should have at least six credits of voice.

Course sequence

Class	Fall	Spring
Freshman	MUS-111 Performance Studies Performance Topics First Year Seminar MUS-051 MUS-050 Major ensemble	MUS-112 Performance Studies MUS-120 First Year Seminar MUS-050 Major ensemble
Sophomore	MUS-211 MUS-221 Performance Studies MUS-050 Major ensemble	MUS-212 Performance Studies MUS-352 EDU-111 MUS-220 MUS-050 Major ensemble
Junior	MUS-320 Music elective MUS-354 Performance Studies MUS-434 EDU-120 MUS-050 Major ensemble	MUS-312 MUS-321 Performance Studies MUS-423 EDU-221 MUS-050 Major ensemble
Senior	Performance Studies MUS-431 MUS-433 Music elective MUS-450 Senior recital MUS-050 Major ensemble	EDU-505