Bachelor of Music Education

Students become committed to artistry and discovery while building a bright future for music. We aim to prepare students for successful careers in K–12 music education.

The Bachelor of Music Education degree provides students with the knowledge base, skills and practical experience needed to succeed in the K-12 music setting. Our students receive a balanced curriculum of both specialization and comprehensive preparation to meet the variety of K-12 school needs. Students graduate with broad knowledge of the entire music program, while also possessing the specialized skills necessary to be a successful general music, choir, orchestra or band instructor.

  • Understand learning principles and teaching methods
  • Gain field experience in elementary and secondary schools
  • Be involved in educational leadership programs and organizations

75% of required music classes have fewer than 20 students

8:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Join a network of 30+ faculty and alumni who have received Grammy nominations

Be successful.

Be prepared to merge your musical talent and passion with applicable skills, preparing you for career success.

 

70% of 2019 graduates had plans for full-time work or graduate study at the time of graduation

 

Gain hands-on experience in one of our 30+ student ensembles, ranging from Symphony Orchestra to traditional Japanese Ensemble

 

99% job placement of BME students for the past 20 years

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn a Bachelor in Music Education degree, students must complete a minimum of 126 credit hours. 

Areas of concentration include:

  • Choral general
  • Choral music
  • Instrumental general
  • Instrumental band
  • Instrumental strings

Coursework includes:

  • Teacher education coursework 
  • Early field experience through student teaching and the Middle School Ensemble Program
  • Liberal arts coursework: English composition, arts and humanities, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences 
  • Music coursework: Music theory and aural skills; musicology and ethnomusicology; applied study, ensemble, keyboard and voice; and conducting

We also offer dual degree programs for students interested in a combined Bachelor of Music Education (BME) and Bachelor of Music (BM) degree:

  • BM brass & BME instrumental band
  • BM percussion & BME instrumental band
  • BM strings & BME instrumental strings
  • BM voice & BME choral
  • BM woodwinds & BME instrumental band

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

Nora Barpal

(BM ’18)
Barpal worked with the Entrepreneurship Center for Music during her time at CU, helping her bridge her musical passion with the startup scene. Since graduating, she's partnered with Josh Wilson, a 2019 College of Music graduate, to launch the Music Inclusion Coalition (MIC), providing high-quality recording equipment to low-income high schools to ensure equitable opportunities and resources for students to remotely audition for music programs.

Neal Postma

(BM ’10)
A music educator and saxophonist, Postma's multifaceted career includes master classes, recitals at CU Boulder and other institutions, and commission and premiere solo and chamber works by a number of composers. He's also the founding member and current president of the American Single Reed Summit, which features internationally renowned artists, hundreds of recitals, and a robust roster of lectures and master classes.

Claire Glover

(BME ’17)
Recipient of the Colorado Music Educator Association’s 2020 Young Music Educator Award, Glover is director of bands at Mountain Ridge Middle School in Colorado Springs, and president and concert band coordinator of the Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band.