Join us this summer! Kent State University’s School of Music offers summer electives that can be applied to Kent State Online’s 100% Online Master of Music degree in Music Education. This online degree can be completed in as few as 23 months and is created for you, the music teaching professional.
Register for a Summer Course
Orff Levels 1, 2, 3
June 17-28, 2024
Study the materials and techniques of the Orff Schulwerk approach to music learning. Students will engage in singing, playing recorder, playing percussion, movement, and basic Orff pedagogy in this comprehensive approach to music instruction for children. These courses are offered in conjunction with the American Orff Schulwerk Association.
- Level 1 - Develop Orff-Schulwerk principles and techniques through instruction in recorder, pitched, and unpitched percussion, singing, movement, and Orff process. The workshop is appropriate for all educators with a music degree.
- Level 2 - Develop Orff-Schulwerk principles and techniques through instruction in recorder, pitched, and unpitched percussion, singing, movement, and Orff process. The workshop is appropriate for all educators who have completed level I at AOSA-approved institutions.
- Level 3 - Develop Orff-Schulwerk principles and techniques through instruction in recorder, pitched, and unpitched percussion, singing, movement, and Orff process. The workshop is appropriate for all educators who have completed levels I and II at AOSA-approved institutions.
Rock Band Performance and Pedagogy
July 7-12, 2024
In the six days of the class, Dr. Dorfman and an additional professor emphasize student-directed learning that is often seen in non-formal types of ensembles, such as rock bands. It is a week of picking songs, learning them, and playing them in small groups. Yes, there will be some academic stuff, too, such as learning about theories of non-formal learning, discussing the logistics of rock bands in schools, etc. But most of it is about developing some basic chops on rock band instruments. We will assemble a list of about 10 songs and play a gig at a local bar on the last day. We also leave room for things like learning to improvise, songwriting, and other things associated with rock bands.
Culturally Responsive Song Research: Applications to Instruction for General Music and Youth Choirs
Hybrid Structure:
Virtual: June 10-July 19, 2024
In-Person: July 23-25, 2024
With guest specialist Kathy Kuddes.
Using the philosophical lens of Culturally Responsive Teaching (Gay) and the application process of Kodály-inspired pedagogy, this course will guide practitioners in examining music education curriculum, particularly song repertoire, to be better informed about the cultural implications of the repertoire, appropriateness, and need for contextual teaching. Participants will read relevant literature, explore resources to aid in song-origin research, identify curricular units they want to revise, examine teaching strategies that support culturally responsive practice, and engage in teaching demonstrations of revised units.
The Online Master of Music degree in Music Education offers music teachers the opportunity to develop and refine their professional skills. The program is differentiated from others in that it is practitioner-oriented and offers elective courses in specialized music teaching areas.
With this degree, you will have the opportunity to focus your course of study on the aspects of music teaching that are most relevant to your career now and in the future. A master’s degree opens opportunities to teach in post-secondary institutions or apply for further doctoral study in music education or related fields. This degree in music education may also help you climb the salary scale, and it may qualify you for leadership positions within your school, district, and state.
For more information on Kent State’s Online Master of Music in Music Education degree, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/master-of-music-in-music-education.
Why Music Education at Kent State University?
Kent State University provides:
- 100% online courses. Kent State Online has its own course and instructional design team, so all content is created by faculty and designed for the online platform.
- Outstanding faculty. Learn from some of the country’s finest music teacher educators in all areas of specialty. Many of our faculty have published multiple research articles, textbooks, book chapters, and journal articles.
- Personal attention. We are dedicated to helping you succeed in your academics! You will have a professional Academic Advisor throughout your collegiate experience and be assigned a Faculty Advisor when you enroll in Capstone.
- Opportunity to complete an elective in a shortened amount of time! During the summer, students can choose to take a shortened, 3-credit hour elective focusing on unique music methods.
- Affordability. The program costs only $655 per credit hour.
- Proudly Accredited. We are accredited through NASM, the National Association of Schools of Music. Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
- Rolling admissions. You can enroll in classes every seven weeks, fall, spring, and summer. Please refer to our admission page for application deadlines.
