Music Conservatory Links

CCPA Music Education

The goal of the Music Education department is to give students skills and philosophical foundations necessary to be successful public school music teachers. The process of preparing students for a teaching career includes musicianship skills; extensive training on the student's primary instrument, and a variety of education classes including child development, psychology, and philosophy.

General education course work is also required, fulfilling state and national certification standards. The variety of course work enables students to contribute to their schools' music education programs, as well as the entire education system. An important component of this music education curriculum is the opportunity to teach in public schools before student teaching. It is encouraged that a student begin these field experiences as early as their second year in the program. One example is the collaboration with Lyric Opera of Chicago's educational outreach program, where LOC's educational staff trains CCPA students to present programs to Chicagoland schools.

Master classes and conducting labs create opportunities for students to develop conducting skills, teaching techniques, and to explore repertoire and teaching materials in a peer-supportive environment. Students are also given thorough training in their studio instrument with the same professors assigned to performance majors. This study culminates in a senior recital, including solo performance and the conducting of a small ensemble trained by the student.

Teachers who are competent in performance and well prepared with teaching methodology and materials, philosophy, and a variety of teaching experiences will generate long-lasting musical values for themselves and future generations of music students. The curriculum meets the certification requirements for the State of Illinois. Graduates of this program are entitled to Roosevelt University's recommendation for the K-12 Special Certificate in Music. The curriculum is fully certified by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, which entitles graduates to reciprocity privileges in certification in many other states. Graduates of the program are certified to teach all types of music classes in elementary and secondary schools.