Music Education Program

This program is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career in music education with degree options in the following:

  • Music Education (Elementary or Secondary)
  • Professional Performance
  • Music Industry
  • Jazz Education
  • Church Music
  • Music Therapy

A music degree from Wallace State is excellent preparation for success in pursuing a four-year degree. All music education majors are encouraged to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Wallace State instructors make a special effort to follow the progress of former students and assist them in finding employment. Wallace State music graduates have a history of outstanding success in employment.

The Music Department holds auditions each winter for Performing Arts Scholarships. Appointments may be made for auditions by contacting the Music Department.


Curriculum

General Required Courses

ENG 101 English Composition I    3
ENG 102 English Composition II   3
Humanities/Fine Arts    9
Literature Elective   3
Math (Precalculus Algebra or Finite Math)   3
Natural Science with Labs   8
History Sequence   6
Social and Behavioral Sciences   6
Total    41

Major Required Courses

MUS 111 Music Theory I   3
MUS 112 Music Theory II   3
MUS 211 Music Theory III   3
MUS 212 Music Theory IV   3
Music Ensembles Band or Choir   4
Individual Performance Instruction & Theory Labs   4
Music Elective   3
Total    23

TOTAL HOURS   64

Associate in Science Music Education Majors need to meet with their advisors concerning Area II for Fine Arts/Humanities requirement.


Performance

Wallace State is "performance oriented" in its approach to music education.

Wallace State offers students the opportunity to enhance performance skills with participation in various ensembles. Music ensembles are open to all students by consent of instructor. For students majoring or minoring in music, one ensemble is required each semester.

All ensembles may be repeated for credit. However, students should consult a counselor regarding how ensemble credit will transfer to various senior colleges and universities. The Wallace State Chorus and Symphonic Band are open to all Wallace state students and may be taken as an elective, regardless of area of study. The Jazz/Show Band and Wallace State Singers are auditioned performing groups. Auditions are held annually.

Concert Choir

Participation is open to all students. This award-winning group has been named "Most Outstanding Concert Choir" in the college division at the national Peanut Festival Competition and "Most Outstanding Choir" in the Alabama College System Music Showcase. They have traveled internationally.

Jazz/Show Band

Participation is by audition. The Jazz/Show Band has appeared in concert at Disneyland in California, Disney World in Florida, Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Las Vegas, and with a number of named entertainers. They performed most recently at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and at the Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, Vermont. Through annual tours, this band has acquired a most notable reputation across the United States. They have also traveled internationally.

Pep Band

This band performs at Wallace State basketball games and other functions.

Wallace State Singers

Participation is by audition. The singers tour annually and present concerts in area churches. Recent tours annually and present concerts in area churches. Recent tours include New Orleans, Sea World, Disney World, Washington, D.C., Tennessee, and other adjoining states. Most recently the choir and singers performed in Germany.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Participation is open to all Wallace State students. The symphonic band is unique among Alabama's two-year colleges and comparable to symphonic bands at four-year colleges and universities. This band tours annually each spring. Past performances include appearances at the 15th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival, and as guest performers on the American Gardens Stage at Disney's Epcot Center. They also performed at the Wallace State graduation with attendance of over 5,000 guests.

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Sample Plan of Study

Example Curriculum

1st Semester

3        MUS 115 Fundamentals of Music (students not passing Theory Proficiency)  

1        MUL 101 Class Piano I (students not passing Theory Proficiency)     

4        Total Hours

2nd Semester                                           

1        ORI 110 Freshman Seminar                                                    

3        ENG 101 English Composition I                                               

3        MTH 112 Precalculus Algebra                                                   

3        PSY 200 General Psychology                                                  

3        MUS 111 Music Theory I                                                            

1        MUS 113 Music Theory I Lab                                                    

1        MUP 101-284 Applied Lesson on Major Instrument                  

1        MUL 101-297 Performing Ensemble                                               

16      Total Hours

3rd Semester                                            

3        ENG 102 English Composition II                                              

3        SOC 200 Intro to Sociology                                                       

3        MUS 101 Music Appreciation                                                   

3        MUS 112 Music Theory II                                                          

1        MUS 114 Music Theory II Lab                                                  

1        MUL 102 Class Piano II                                                               

1        MUP 101-284 Applied Lesson on Major Instrument                  

1        MUL 101-297 Performing Ensemble                                               

16      Total Hours

4th Semester                                            

3        ENG 251 American Literature I (may substitute ENG 261 – English Lit. I)           

3        HIS 101 Western Civilization I (may substitute HIS 201 – U.S. History I)          

3        HUM 101 Introduction to Humanities I                                  

4        BIO 103 Principles of Biology I                                                

3        MUS 211 Music Theory III                                                         

1        MUS 213 Music Theory III Lab                                                 

1        MUP 101-284 Applied Lesson on Major Instrument                  

1        MUL 101-297 Performing Ensemble                                               

19      Total Hours

5th Semester                                            

3        HIS 102 Western Civilization II (may substitute HIS 202 U.S. History II)            

3        HUM 102 Introduction to Humanities II                                 

4        BIO 104 Principles of Biology II                                              

3        MUS 212 Music Theory IV                                                         

1        MUS 214 Music Theory IV Lab                                                 

1        MUP 101-284 Applied Lesson on Major Instrument                  

1        MUL 101-297 Performing Ensemble                                               

16      Total Hours

*Must complete sequence HIS 101/102, or HIS 201/202                                    

71      Program total (with MUS 115 & MUL 101)   

67      (without MUS 115 & MUL 101)