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MA in Music Education Kodály Concentration

About the MA in Music Education Kodály Concentration

The MA in Music Education Kodály Concentration will teach you a sequential, active music-making approach emphasizing singing, artistry, literacy, reflective music practice and more. The program features a broad range of courses that apply to your work with children using the Kodály approach.

Contact

Email
music@stthomas.edu
Graduate Programs in Music Education video screenshot of Carrie Krause teaching in a classroom.

Carrie Krause, MA Student

Born to Teach Music

Doing what she was born to do, Carrie Krause teaches elementary music. Carrie feels St. Thomas has provided her with depth and breadth to be a better teacher.

Curriculum Details

  • Program Overview
  • Core Courses
  • Kodály Concentration Courses
  • Kodály Electives
  • Other Degree Requirements

    • Program Overview

    The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Kodály features a broad range of core courses balanced by requirements that apply to the general music teacher's work with children using the Kodály approach.

    In this music education concentration, students will learn a developmentally sequential, active music-making approach that emphasizes singing, artistry, literacy, authentic music materials, reflective practice and inquiry-based learning for teaching musical concepts and skills. Pedagogic tools include moveable do tonic sol-fa, Curwen/Glover hand signs and rhythm syllables.

    The Master of Arts in Music Education curriculum requires 33 credit hours and consists of three elements:
    • Core courses covering a variety of topics
    • A concentration to develop specific skills
    • A master’s thesis or final project to conduct applied research in music education.

    Core Courses

    Core courses provide opportunities for all master’s students to place their specific skills within a broader musical and educational context.

    Required Core Courses (16 credits)
    • GMUS 600 Introduction to Scholarship and Research Methods in Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature and Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 890 Master of Arts Final Project, 1 cr.

    Kodály Concentration Courses

    Kodály study at St. Thomas introduces students to music education that emphasizes musical knowledge and understanding through sequential skill development. The National Standards for Music are addressed through an approach that develops the musician-educator. The development of musical and pedagogical skills occurs in an atmosphere of joyful and systematic exploration of a Kodály-inspired approach to music education.

    Kodály Concentration Courses (15 credits)
    • GMUS 651 Dalcroze Musicianship, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 731 Orff Schulwerk Level I, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 741 Kodály Level I, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 742 Kodály Level II, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 743 Kodály Level III, 3 cr.

    Kodály Electives

    Elective credits provide students opportunities to expand skills in their areas of interest.

    Kodály Electives (2 credits)
    • GMUS 517 Developing the Child Voice in the Classroom, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 518 Teaching Choral Music to Young Singers, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 523 Teaching Adolescent Voices in a Choral Setting, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 527 Vocal Jazz Techniques, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 536 Smithsonian Folkways Certification in World Music Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 537 Latin American Music, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 544-xx Topics in Music Education, credits vary (advisor approval required)
    • GMUS 570-592 Performance Studies (30-minute lessons), 1 cr.
    • GMUS 671 African Music Ensemble, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 676 Voice Fundamentals, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 727 Advanced Choral Conducting, 2 cr.
    • Other courses considered for elective credit (advisor approval required)

    Other Degree Requirements

    All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education program with a concentration in Kodály will complete the following non-credit requirements:
    • Music Diagnostic Exams
    • Oral Comprehensive Exam

    Program Overview

    The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Kodály features a broad range of core courses balanced by requirements that apply to the general music teacher's work with children using the Kodály approach.

    In this music education concentration, students will learn a developmentally sequential, active music-making approach that emphasizes singing, artistry, literacy, authentic music materials, reflective practice and inquiry-based learning for teaching musical concepts and skills. Pedagogic tools include moveable do tonic sol-fa, Curwen/Glover hand signs and rhythm syllables.

    The Master of Arts in Music Education curriculum requires 33 credit hours and consists of three elements:
    • Core courses covering a variety of topics
    • A concentration to develop specific skills
    • A master’s thesis or final project to conduct applied research in music education.

    Core Courses

    Core courses provide opportunities for all master’s students to place their specific skills within a broader musical and educational context.

    Required Core Courses (16 credits)
    • GMUS 600 Introduction to Scholarship and Research Methods in Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature and Theory, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 890 Master of Arts Final Project, 1 cr.

    Kodály Concentration Courses

    Kodály study at St. Thomas introduces students to music education that emphasizes musical knowledge and understanding through sequential skill development. The National Standards for Music are addressed through an approach that develops the musician-educator. The development of musical and pedagogical skills occurs in an atmosphere of joyful and systematic exploration of a Kodály-inspired approach to music education.

    Kodály Concentration Courses (15 credits)
    • GMUS 651 Dalcroze Musicianship, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 731 Orff Schulwerk Level I, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 741 Kodály Level I, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 742 Kodály Level II, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 743 Kodály Level III, 3 cr.

    Kodály Electives

    Elective credits provide students opportunities to expand skills in their areas of interest.

    Kodály Electives (2 credits)
    • GMUS 517 Developing the Child Voice in the Classroom, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 518 Teaching Choral Music to Young Singers, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 523 Teaching Adolescent Voices in a Choral Setting, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 527 Vocal Jazz Techniques, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 536 Smithsonian Folkways Certification in World Music Pedagogy, 3 cr.
    • GMUS 537 Latin American Music, 1 cr.
    • GMUS 544-xx Topics in Music Education, credits vary (advisor approval required)
    • GMUS 570-592 Performance Studies (30-minute lessons), 1 cr.
    • GMUS 671 African Music Ensemble, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 676 Voice Fundamentals, 2 cr.
    • GMUS 727 Advanced Choral Conducting, 2 cr.
    • Other courses considered for elective credit (advisor approval required)

    Other Degree Requirements

    All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education program with a concentration in Kodály will complete the following non-credit requirements:
    • Music Diagnostic Exams
    • Oral Comprehensive Exam

    Our Alumni

    Rachel Lucius smiles during a concert.

    Rachel Lucius '10

    "I spent spring of 2017 in Finland, studying the Finnish education system on a Fulbright Grant. The experience inspired me. I am returning to school for my administrative license. This will allow me to have a bigger influence on our education system."
    Annelies Harmon sings with two classmates during a concert.

    Annelies Harmon '19

    "It is such a joy to make music in the Kodály choir and with our cohorts! And, Dr. Orzolek artfully demonstrated creating a helpful vs unhelpful student learning environment. I can still hear him yelling, 'It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a MO-zart!'"
    Becca Buck talking with an interviewer.

    Becca Buck '12, '18

    A graduate of our undergraduate and graduate music programs (BM ’12 and MA ’18), Becca teaches K-5 music in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage music district.

     “It's impossible to choose my favorite class since, as a music educator, every course was directly applicable to my passion and career, and I truly LOVED every course I took.”

    Two people hug after a concert.

    Annual Kodály Celebrations

    Kodály graduate students and faculty conclude their course work with celebrations on their last day of classes. They gather for breakfast and skits in the morning and perform a choral concert in the afternoon.

    Faculty

    With a combined 100 years of teaching experience, the faculty of the Kodály Institute at the University of St. Thomas are among the most talented in the country. As music educators, they have taught all over the world and have applied Kodály in a wide range of settings.
    Leigh Ann Garner headshot.

    Dr. Leigh Ann Garner

    Dr. Garner teaches elementary classroom and choral music at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Hastings, MN. In addition, she is the Director of the Kodály Institute at the University of St. Thomas where she teaches pedagogy courses Levels I and II, Folksong Analysis and Materials, and Kodály Master Class. Garner also taught on the Kodály faculty at Wichita State University.
    Read Dr. Garner's Full Bio
    Nyssa Brown headshot.

    Nyssa Brown

    Nyssa Brown is an elementary music teacher at the American School of the Hague in the Netherlands. She draws on her K-9 vocal/choral music experience in the US and abroad while presenting at local, regional, national, and international conferences on topics that include global music, 21st Century Skills in the music classroom, technology integration, curriculum/assessment writing and professional learning.
    Read Nyssa's Full Bio
    Casey Barker headshot.

    Casey Barker

    Casey Barker teaches K-5 classroom music at Bluff Creek Elementary in Chanhassen, MN. She received her BM in vocal music education and her Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas. Casey serves on the board of the Kodály Chapter of Minnesota and teaches musicianship with the Kodály Institute at the University of St. Thomas.
    Read Casey's Full Bio