Music Education, B.A.

Why major in music education at Whitworth?

• Practice, rehearse and study in the state-of-the-art Cowles Music Center – beautiful, modern and tailored to support students.
• Learn from our talented faculty who perform with top artists and ensembles, and who provide their students with dedicated teaching and mentoring inside and outside the classroom.
• Gain a strong background in music theory, ear training and music history, which are essential for teaching.
• Be mentored by master teachers in elementary, middle and high schools through hands-on practicums and student-teaching experiences.
• Learn how to articulate your knowledge as a teacher, share your love of music with your classes, and create an inspiring learning environment for your students.
• Tour and perform regionally, nationally and internationally, and perform at music festivals and competitions.
• Engage in unique performance opportunities such as the annual – and much-loved – jazz ensemble concert with an acclaimed guest artist, and the Christmas Festival Concerts in Spokane and Seattle.
• Connect your faith or worldview commitments to your vocation in music.
• Take master classes – and converse one-on-one – with Grammy-winning, chart-topping, and world-class visiting musicians, conductors and composers. Recent guest artists include Grammy-winning jazz artists Pat Metheny and Branford Marsalis, noted South African ethnomusicologist Johann Buis, and internationally renowned composers Gwyneth Walker and David Maslanka.
• Become who you're meant to be.

Ask our faculty

Our music education grads make a difference (and get jobs)

Whitworth music education majors excel in competitive graduate programs and in careers as music educators at all levels of public, private and parochial schools, both nationally and internationally. Careers also include music education supervisors for schools or school districts, and private instructors.

Recent job placements include:

• Savanna Jenkins, music teacher at IES Skärholmen in Stockholm, Sweden
• Natalie Cominiello, orchestra director & elementary string specialist, Spokane Public Schools
• Sarah Butler, band, choir and orchestra teacher, Highline Public Schools, Seattle
• Emily McKinney, choir director, Mead High School, Spokane

Our recent music education grads further their studies in top programs at institutions including: 

• Arizona State University
• Boston Conservatory of Music
• Eastman School of Music
• Indiana University
• Louisiana State University
• New York University's Tisch School of the Arts
• North Carolina School of the Arts
• Peabody Conservatory
• University of Washington

Play well with others

Whitworth's music ensembles are open to all Whitworth students, and music scholarships are available to students of all majors. These acclaimed ensembles include:

• Wind symphony
• Jazz ensembles
• Jazz combos
• Ponderosa Tenor Bass Choir
• Forrest Treble Choir
• Whitworth Community Chorale
• Symphony orchestra
• Chamber winds
• Piano ensemble
• Percussion ensemble
• Concert band
• Chamber ensembles

Pack your bags!

Our wind symphony, jazz ensemble I, choir and symphony orchestra perform regionally, nationally and internationally. Recent locales include Italy, Thailand, Costa Rica, Spain, New York City and Norway.

Students can also participate in Jan Term international study programs, including:

• Power and Politics of Art: Rome, Florence, Vienna and Berlin
• The Arts in Christian Worship: Geneva, Paris, London, Rome and Florence

Tracks*

Choose one of two tracks, based on your interests and career goals:

• Choral/General
• Instrumental/General

*Students take their professional education courses from the School of Education.

What related majors can I explore?

• Education
• Theology
• Theatre