Music Education BME

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) degree program at FGCU are poised to become outstanding leaders in their field. The curriculum and course content exposes students to innovative and creative pedagogical philosophies that can be applied to traditional K-12 instruction as well as diverse music teaching and learning venues outside of school settings.

The B.M.E degree curriculum prepares graduates to teach general, choral and instrumental music in public, private and charter elementary, middle, and high schools. All B.M.E. graduates successfully complete the requirements for Florida State teaching certification. Our graduates also have the option to continue on to graduate school or pursue private studio, community music school, early childhood music, El Sistema, and New Horizons teaching opportunities as well as employment in other related fields. Students develop their own unique voices as musicians and educators as they prepare for a wide range of career options.

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program requirements

4 year graduation plan (choral) 4 year graduation plan (instrumental)

Meet the Music Faculty

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Scholarships

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Ensembles

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Department Contacts

Ortega, Rebekah

Administrative Specialist II

239-590-7292

rortega@fgcu.edu

Biernacki, Krzysztof

Director/Professor

MUSIC 0203

239-745-4442

kbiernacki@fgcu.edu

Concentrations

Choral Concentration
Instrumental Concentration

Accreditation
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Admissions Information
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Admissions Information for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
If you are not yet an FGCU student, visit the Admissions Office Website
If you are a newly-admitted FGCU student please be sure to sign up for an Eagle View Orientation session. As part of this session you will be meeting with an academic advisor who will assist you in registering for classes for your major.
Program Admission Requirements
- Submit an FGCU Undergraduate Admission Application and satisfy all applicable university admission requirements.
- *Specialized Admissions: Submit a Bower School of Music Supplemental Application by June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
- A Performance Audition, Theory Placement Exam and Interview must be completed for acceptance consideration into the Music Specialized Admissions Program.
- Attend an orientation session.
- Sign an Advising Agreement document.
  
  *This means that students apply and are initially accepted into the University as a pre-music major student. An application and subsequent audition for acceptance into the music major is also required. Not all students who audition and meet the selection criteria are admitted into the specialized admissions major. The selection process is very competitive and space is limited in each admission class.
- NOTE: Students admitted to the Bower School of Music are eligible to apply for a Music Scholarship. The Music Scholarships are awarded to assist individual students to obtain an education and to help create an institutional musical environment conducive to the musical growth of all students and the enhancement of the campus cultural environment. The Music Scholarship recipient must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 and have no grades of “F” in any class (unless later replaced by a grade of “C” or better). Also she/he must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in music classes at FGCU and have no grades lower than “C” in any music class (unless later replaced by a grade of “C” or better), and demonstrate continuing progress in the principal performing medium as exhibited through applied lessons, ensemble performance, recital appearances, and jury examinations.
Admission Deadlines
Visit the Admissions Office Web site for information on admission deadlines of the university.
Program Requirements
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Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
The General Education Program Website is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Enroll in a large ensemble (1 credit) every semester they are enrolled in an applied lesson.
- Complete a minimum of 125-128 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 134 credits must be at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills requirement and foreign language entrance requirement.
- Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Pass the Piano Proficiency Exam (a common prerequisite which is on a Pass/Fail basis)
- Present an upper level recital in the applied emphasis, with a passing grade by a faculty committee.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 32 of the last 74 credits must be completed at FGCU, including 12 credits in the major.
- Pass the three required tests [i.e., General Knowledge (082), Professional Education (083), and Music Education (028)] for Florida teacher certification.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
  To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.
2. Common Prerequisites
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  FGCU Course: EDF 2005 Intro to Teach Prof (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: EDFX005 or MUE X040
  
  FGCU Course: Choose 4 credits in MUN 1XXX or 2XXX (1 credit per semester) (4)
  Acceptable Substitute: MUNX000-X999
  
  FGCU Course: MUT 1111 Music Theory I (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: MUTX111 or MUTX121
  
  FGCU Course: MUT 1112 Music Theory II (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: MUTX112 or MUTX122
  
  FGCU Course: MUT 2116 Music Theory III (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: MUTX116 or MUTX126
  
  FGCU Course: MUT 2117 Music Theory IV (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: MUTX117 or MUTX127
  
  FGCU Course: (MUT 1241 Aural Skills I (1) and MUT 1242 Aural Skills II (1) and MUT 2246 Aural Skills III (1) and MUT 2247 Aural Skills IV (1))
  Acceptable Substitute: [(MUTX241 and MUTX242 and MUTX246 and MUTX247) or (MUTX221 and MUTX222 and MUTX226 and MUTX227) or (MUTX271 and MUTX272 and MUTX276 and MUTX277)]
  
  FGCU Course: Choose 4 credits of Freshman Applied Music in MVX 1X1X (2 credits per semester) (4)
  Acceptable Substitute: MVXXX1X
  
  FGCU Course: Choose 4 credits of Sophomore Applied Music MVX 2X2X (2 credits per semester) (4)
  Acceptable Substitute: MVXXX2X
  
  FGCU Course: MVK 1111 and MVK 1112 and MVK 2121 and MVK 2122* (0-4)
  Acceptable Substitute: MVKX111 and MVKX112 and MVKX121 and MVKX122* as needed to achieve piano proficiency.
  
  *Students take the Secondary Piano-Proficiency by Examination as part of the course MVK 2122
3. Required Courses in the Major (43 credits)
  A minimum grade of C or S is required in each course
  
  MUE 2040 Introduction to Music Teaching (1)
  MUE 3311 Teaching Music, Elementary (3)
  MUE 4939 Senior Capstone in Mus Ed (3)
  MUG 3104 Introduction to Conducting (2)
  MUH 3211 Survey of Music History I (3)
  MUH 3212 Survey of Music History II (3)
  MUN 3XXX-4XXX Ensemble (1 semester hour for two semesters) (2)
  MUN 3XXX-4XXX Ensemble (1 semester for 0 credit) (0)
  MUS 1010 Recital Attendance (six semesters for 0 credit) (0)
  MUS 1360 Intro to Music Technology (1)
  MUS 3953 Junior Recital (0)
  MUS 4940 Internship in Music (9)
  MUT 3311 Orchestration and Arranging (3)
  MVS 1116 Class Guitar (1)
  MVX 3XXX Junior Applied Music (4) (2 cr x 2 semesters)
  MVX 4XXX Senior Applied Music (2)
  RED 4350 Literacy Content and Processes (3)
  TSL 4520 Sec Lang Acquis Comm& Culture (3)
4. Concentration (15 credits)
  A minimum grade of C or S is required in each course
  
  Complete requirements for one concentration:
  
  Choral Concentration
  Complete one of the following:
  MUE 3451 Woodwind Methods and Materials (1)
  MUE 3465 Brass Methods and Materials (1)
  
  Complete each of the following:
  MUE 3331 Secondary Vocal Music Methods (3)
  MUE 3343 String Methods and Materials (1)
  MUE 3433 Vocal Pedagogy (2)
  MUE 3475 Percussion Methods & Materials (2)
  MUE 4492 Choral Lit and Conducting Tech (3)
  MUS 1201 Diction I (1)
  MUS 2202 Diction II (1)
  MVK 3131 Choral Keyboard Skills (1)
  
  Instrumental Concentration
  MUE 3343 String Methods and Materials (1)
  MUE 3451 Woodwind Methods and Materials (1)
  MUE 3465 Brass Methods and Materials (1)
  MUE 3475 Percussion Methods & Materials (2)
  MUE 4344 Teaching Instrumental Music (3)
  MUE 4480 Marching Band Techniques (1)
  MUE 4481 Jazz Techniques and Methods (1)
  MUG 3204 Instr. Lit. & Cond. Techniques (3)
  MVV 1110 Class Voice I (2)
5. University Requirements (3 credits)
  Select one of the following:
  IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)
  Or at least 3 credits in sustainability coursework (SCGR Attribute)
6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 125-128
Degree Map
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Degree Maps are to be used as a general guideline for students. Some students scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.

2024-2025 BME Music Education Choral Degree Map

2024-2025 BME Music Education Instrumental Degree Map

Additional Graduation Requirements include:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours.
- A minimum of 48 of the 120 hours must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- A minimum grade of C for each course used to satisfy the following categories: common prerequisites, required courses in the major, and courses in the concentration.
- Satisfaction of the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See FGCU Service Learning).
- Satisfaction of the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower division electives that will enhance their General Education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.
Course Description
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Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
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Getting Started With the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
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Academic Learning Compact

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Graduates in the Music Education B.M.E. will be able to:
1. Demonstrate proper technique, understanding of musical style, poise, and artistic expression in applied area, as soloist and ensemble member as well as plan, develop, and execute recitals appropriate to applied instruments and area.
2. Demonstrate preparation as a responsive and competent teacher through evidence of classroom performance, lesson plan preparation, communication skills, and ability to provide effective instruction.
3. Demonstrate a depth of knowledge in the areas of music theory, history, education as identified by the Florida teacher certification exams.
Content/discipline knowledge and skills are assessed at the college and departmental levels through instruments appropriate to the course content and goals. Jury exams and recital performances are completed in the following courses: MVx 4xxx (Senior Applied Music), MUS 3953, and MUS 4954. Successful passage of the Florida Teacher Certification Exams – Music (028).
Communication Skills
Graduates in the Music Education B.M.E. will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of style periods in Western music, both in written and oral form.
2. Demonstrate use of acceptable conventions for writing in both educational formats—e.g. lesson plans, units of study, etc.—and scholarly essays.
A written philosophy of music education essay will be assessed in MUE 3311. Students will write program notes MUH 3212 and for MUS 3953.
Critical Thinking Skills
Graduates in the Music Education B.M.E. will be able to:
1. Provide melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and formal analysis of music written from 1700-present and compose short pieces in those styles.
2. Develop strategies for planning, delivering and assessing K-12 music instruction as well as recognizing, diagnosing and resolving technical and musical issues in K-12 music ensembles.
Students will complete assignments in MUT 3311 that require critical thinking and problem solving skills. In MUS 4920, students will apply these skills when planning, delivering and assessing music instruction for K-12 students.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Music Program Fees
Music majors pay $150 and music minors pay $75 per semester to help cover music equipment maintenance and replacement including piano tuning, annual instrumental repairs, limited departmental equipment purchase and other expenses that benefit all music students.

Music Scholarship Opportunities

For the 2022/23 Academic Year, scholarships for full or partial tuition, full or partial housing, and/or a stipend toward meals are available.

Scholarship auditions are held at the same time as auditions for admission to the Bower School of Music.
All Audition information can be found here.
Financial Aid

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.