The advisor/student relationship is at the core of our music education program. You will meet your advisor during Welcome Week and then continue to meet with that person throughout your four years as a student.

I was very specific when I was looking for a school. I wanted a small, private college that had a conservatory. I wanted a music education program that focused on how to teach music and how to be a good musician as well. Many of the programs that I looked at, I would have taken my music classes in the music building and my education classes across campus in the education building. At SU, it’s all integrated: I’m learning how to teach music rather than how to be a musician and how to teach. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! On top of my music education classes, I got to have the opportunity to travel with the Conservatory Choir to Italy this summer, where we sang at a variety of different basilicas including the Vatican. I have also performed in the conservatory’s performance of Carmina Burana and I gave a half recital. SU has offered me countless opportunities to be a good music educator as well as as a good musician.”

Jessica Granholm ‘16 | Music Education

 

The Collins Learning Music Suite, located in rooms 209 and 211 of Ruebush Hall, provides enhanced instruction and access to technology for music education students. Undergraduate and graduate music education students learn from each other via courses designed to take place in a collaborative setting. Equipped with multimedia capabilities, the learning suite includes a SMART Board and videocapture (a system for recording learning sessions) for students to document their lab teaching for future reflection and review. It also contains storage cabinets to house instruments specific to instrumental technique courses as well as a variety of Orff and classroom instruments for use in general music classes.

The Collins Learning Music Suite was dedicated on October 4, 2014, in honor of exemplary Shenandoah alumni, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus Charlotte A. Collins ‘85, Ed.D., and Professor Emeritus Verne E. Collins ‘84, Ed.D. Learn more about the dedication.

Shenandoah Conservatory offers minors in Music, Theatre or Dance for all Shenandoah University students.

Shenandoah also offers a new minor in Music Composition for conservatory students who wish to build composition skills and enhance their creative music-making experience while pursuing other degree programs in the conservatory.

Acceptance into conservatory minors must be approved by the Division/Department Chair, and some minors require an audition.

Learn More about Conservatory Minors

 

Declaring A Minor

Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.

Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application; applications are for intended majors only.

Our program graduates accept positions as public school music teachers, music supervisors, and music coordinators. They also go on to pursue graduate studies in diverse areas of music study and school leadership areas. our five-year job placement rate is 97%.

Shenandoah laid a solid foundation of both content and sequencing that has greatly affected my teaching career.”

Rachel Allnutt ‘13 | Music Teacher at Montgomery County Public Schools

I enjoyed having small classes that allowed me to form relationships with my peers and professors, the education classes gave me perspective as an educator and the ensembles that challenged me as a musician. Being a music educator is a challenging job, but it is also incredibly rewarding.”

Jessica Blood ‘09

I’m passionate about writing and teaching music to students with special needs. I have had many articles published in the field of music and education and have had three books published by Oxford University Press.”

Alice Hammel ‘87, ‘99 | Middle and high school flute teacher

Shenandoah Conservatory gave me all the tools that I needed for a successful career in music education. I came out of school fully prepared to teach.”

Andrew Lisowski ‘10 | Orchestra director at Falls Church High School in Falls Church, Virginia

 

Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.

Career & Professional Development at Shenandoah

Our curriculum embeds all licensure requirements in your course of study. Upon successful completion of your degree program you will be able to apply for your teaching license. Your Virginia teaching license is recognized by other states through reciprocity.

Undergraduate music education study begins in the first semester of enrollment. Students study the basic tenets of various music methodologies as an integral part of the curriculum. Throughout the academic year, lectures are supplemented with public school observations, field experience teaching, workshops and clinics. Numerous classroom instruments, recordings and printed materials are available for student use.

The average class size for first and second year students is eighteen. During the junior year, students specialize in instrumental or choral/vocal tracks. Average class size during the junior and senior is eight students.

View Full Choral/General Concentration Curriculum

View Full Instrumental Classical Concentration Curriculum

View Full Instrumental Jazz Concentration Curriculum

 

Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.

Learning Support Services at Shenandoah

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education curriculum is intended for students who plan to teach music in the public schools and seek licensure as a qualified music teacher by a state department of public instruction. Students complete courses in music, music teaching techniques, and general education studies to fulfill requirements for the K-12 Virginia music teaching license.

All music education majors have three formal field experiences prior to the student teaching semester. Choral/general students teach in elementary general music, middle school choral and high school choral programs. Instrumental (classical and jazz) students teach in elementary general music, middle school band, and high school marching and jazz band programs.

Music education majors student teach during the final semester of study. Student teachers are placed within an hour radius of our main campus and work with cooperating teachers and university supervisors to prepare for licensure and job placements.

Students who complete the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree who wish to teach outside of Virginia will need to check with the state department of education for specific requirements for transferring their Virginia teaching license to that state.

SU music education graduates regularly take teaching jobs in other states and are able to transfer their Virginia license to other states with minimum or no additional requirements due to teaching license reciprocity agreements among state education departments. SU faculty are aware of license transfer requirements for most states in the mid-Atlantic region and can work with students on an individual basis if they wish to return to their home state to teach.

Students can refer to the SU information for our membership in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

Contact Dr. Stephanie Standerfer, Director of Music Education, at sstander@su.edu if you have additional questions.

As a music education major you will have a one-hour lesson each week with a private teacher. Lessons are required during the first six semesters and culminate in a Junior Recital.

Music Education students with great interest in performance are encouraged to audition for the Shenandoah Conservatory Performance Certificate program. The program allows students to study additional repertoire in the applied lessons, perform recitals and receive documentation of advanced performance abilities (without pursuing dual degrees). Moreover, the completion of a performance certificate informs graduate schools and future employers of the student’s advanced performance education and experience. We encourage all students to pursue a Performance Certificate. The Performance Certificate allows you to take lessons during your seventh semester and present a Senior Recital. Lessons are discouraged during the student teaching semester.

Music education majors have the opportunity to audition for all major and minor ensembles. Major ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Shenandoah Chorus and Conservatory Choir. In addition to major and minor ensembles, chamber music opportunities are also available.

Auditions for music theatre and opera productions are open to all students. In the past, music education majors have held major roles in our opera productions.

Shenandoah Conservatory produces more than 300 performances each year. Enroll in a dynamic curriculum and start preparing for a meaningful career in the arts. You will practice your craft in front of audiences and develop a plan for your professional launch into the industry that focuses on your personal desires and aspirations.

Embrace extensive performance opportunities with top-tier facilities from theatres, concert halls and dance studios. Unite with fellow artists and join an alumni family that takes center stage from Broadway to the concert halls of Europe.

Shenandoah Conservatory Performances

Ensembles

Shenandoah Conservatory is home to more than 30 performing groups — including instrumental, vocal, and dance ensembles — that present numerous performances every year. These performances take place throughout Shenandoah University’s vibrant campus on its various stages, including a concert hall, recital hall, proscenium stage, black box studio, outdoor amphitheater and more, to venues and performance spaces in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and around the world. Ensembles constantly engage with Shenandoah’s dynamic faculty and an array of distinguished guest artists through residencies, workshops and unique performance opportunities.

View All Ensembles

Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors, graduate degrees, minors, and certificates.

These minors complement this program well:

• Coaching
• Spanish

You may want to think about enhancing your degree with these certificates that pair well with this program:

• Church Music

Most students in this program choose to continue their education by earning a graduate degree:

• Master of Music Education

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admissions materials, and find our admissions standards.

Application Information

Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory is highly competitive. Not only must students be academically admissible, they must also complete and pass the mandatory audition/portfolio review and interview process. Audition dates are limited and may fill and close well in advance of the audition date.

Audition Requirements

Not all instruments are suitable to fit every major. Below are the acceptable instruments for this program.

Choral/General Emphasis

• Organ
• Piano (classical)
• Voice

Instrumental Classical Emphasis

• Bassoon
• Cello
• Clarinet
• Double Bass (classical)
• Euphonium/ Baritone
• Flute
• French Horn
• Guitar (classical)
• Harp
• Oboe
• Organ
• Percussion(classical)
• Piano(classical)
• Saxophone(classical)
• Trombone(classical)
• Trumpet(classical)
• Tuba
• Viola
• Violin

Instrumental Jazz Emphasis

• Double Bass (jazz)
• Electric Bass (jazz)
• Electric Guitar (jazz)
• Percussion( jazz)
• Piano( jazz)
• Saxophone( jazz)
• Trombone( jazz)
• Trumpet(jazz)

 

Find a Program to Fit Your Instrument

See examples of a traditional four-year Bachelor of Music in Music Education Choral/General Concentration including course descriptions.

First Year

Fall Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Skills 1: This course is designed especially for non-keyboard majors to fulfill basic piano requirements for all curricula. Included are scales, triad qualities and inversions, cadences, chord progressions, transposition, harmonization, score-reading, sight-reading and repertoire.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Musicking 1: This course includes performing, creating and responding to music in a laboratory setting. It is designed to promote diverse ways of thinking about music teaching and learning as informed by personal musicianship.

The Musician Teacher: This course is an orientation in music education to a wide array of topics regarding music in the schools (K-12). It includes readings, guided observations, and discussion of contemporary trends and practices presented in a seminar setting.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Introduction to Music Theory: This course covers key, modality, rhythm and meter; notation; all tonal interval, scale, triad and seventh chord forms, as well as an introduction to part-writing and harmonic progression in tonal music. Concepts are reinforced with student-written examples, repertoire analysis, intervallic and harmonic identification, melodic and rhythmic dictations, and sightsinging. Enrollment by placement examination only. After successful completion of MUTC 101, students must be continuously registered each fall and spring semester until the sequence of MUTC 101, MUTC 102, MUTC 201, and MUTC 202 is completed.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

General Education – Composition: This course provides instruction and practice designed to increase competence in communication, with primary emphasis on expository writing.

Going Global – First-Year Seminar: Multidisciplinary, first-year seminar classes which cover a wide range of topics designed to facilitate student’s interest in global learning and to demonstrate an increased capacity to realize development as global citizens able to make responsible contributions within a community, nation and world. Open only to first-year, first-semester students.

Spring Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills 2: This course builds upon keyboard skills developed in APCP 105. Each category continues at a more advanced level.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Musicking 1: This course includes performing, creating and responding to music in a laboratory setting. It is designed to promote diverse ways of thinking about music teaching and learning as informed by personal musicianship.

Foundations of Education in Music: Students explore historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of education and music in the United States. Overview of ethical, legal and contemporary trends and implications for music education are included.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Diatonic Harmony and Simple Forms: This course continues the study of tonal music, including more advanced harmonic writing and analysis (seventh chords, secondary function and modulation), figured bass realization and part writing.

Ear Training I: Ear Training I involves practical application of the content of MUTC 102 to the hearing and performance of music, including tonal and rhythmic sightsinging techniques using movable-do solfege. It also continues to develop the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation skills introduced in MUTC 101 and incorporates cadences and simple four-part dictation.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

General Education – Math

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills 3: This course builds upon keyboard skills developed in APCP 106. Each category continues at a more advanced level.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Musicking 1: This course includes performing, creating and responding to music in a laboratory setting. It is designed to promote diverse ways of thinking about music teaching and learning as informed by personal musicianship.

Reading and Literacy in Music: Students examine reading, writing, speaking and listening processes as they apply to the development of literacy in the K-12 education of music students. Study of word, text, sign and symbol and their comprehension and strategies for instruction are included.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Chromatic Harmony and Compound Forms: MUTC 201 is the final examination of tonal music theory, including advanced harmonic writing and analysis (augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan sixth chords, other altered chords, and ninth chords), style period analysis concentrated on the Classical and Romantic periods, sonata form and contrapuntal techniques, including fugue.

Ear Training 2: This course provides practical application of the content of MUTC 102 and MUTC 201. Students will learn sightsinging and transcriptions of melodies that modulate, rhythmic reading and transcription involving complex rhythmic relationships such as syncopations in compound meters and hemiola, harmonic singing and transcription involving standard tonal progressions with chromatic harmonies and modulation. This course also develops the skill of identifying formal relationships in simple binary and ternary forms.

Health Issues for Artists: The purpose of this course is to provide injury prevention education for students in the Conservatory curricula in music and dance.

General Psychology: A basic introduction to psychology with emphasis given to such ideas as measurement, testing, learning, motivation, emotions, attitudes, social influences on behavior, personality, behavior disorders, mental health and psychotherapy.

Spring Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills 4: This course builds upon keyboard skills developed in APCP 205 and completes basic piano requirements through projects that call for skills directly related to possible professional needs. Student must pass the final examination to pass the course.

Beginning Choral and Instrumental Conducting: In this course, students will learn effective musicianship through study of the fundamentals of conducting, including patterns, baton technique, score reading, and rehearsal techniques for choral and instrumental music as these skills relate to teaching music performance ensembles. Students will acquire basic competency in rehearsing and conducting choral ensembles and combined vocal and instrumental school groups.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Musicking 1: This course includes performing, creating and responding to music in a laboratory setting. It is designed to promote diverse ways of thinking about music teaching and learning as informed by personal musicianship.

Intro to Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education: This course is a study of music curricula and assessment and the creation of learning environments that support diverse learners in inclusive settings. It includes construction, administration and evaluation of tests and other assessment tools. It begins with an overview of instructional planning, the relationship of objectives to standards and strategies for ensuring alignment between standards, curriculum and instruction, and assessment.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Post-Tonal Theory: This course examines compositional materials and techniques from the late 19th Century and beyond, including the twelve-tone system, new uses of tonality and modality, the avant garde and music of the present.

Ear Training 3: This course provides practical application of the content of MUTC 201 and MUTC 202. Students will learn sightsinging and transcription of melodies that modulate, as well as melodies from the post-tonal era. Students will perform, identify and transcribe rhythms from the post-tonal era and sing and transcribe modulating harmonic progressions. This course also develops students’ abilities to perceive relationships across musical forms.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Child Development: This course focuses on the study of the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children from conception through adolescence. Individual differences and developmental issues as they relate to all areas of the child’s life will be emphasized.

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Musicking 2: This course addresses methods, materials and media appropriate to the teaching of general music classes and choral rehearsals. It also includes business procedures, organization and management of large and small choral ensembles, with knowledge of techniques in rehearsing, conducting and designing instruction for vocal/choral school groups. Enrollment is limited to students who have successfully passed Sophomore Screening.

Preschool/Elementary Methods Choral/General Methods: This course is the study of various methods and materials used in the teaching of choral and general music in pre- kindergarten through grade six including curriculum design with national and state music standards as well as performing, responding and creative assessments. Course experiences are highly participatory to facilitate improvement of musical and pedagogical skills. Enrollment is limited to students who have successfully passed Sophomore Screening.

Field Experience 1: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in the elementary music methods course.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Core Western Music History 1: This course is a survey of European art music from 1650 to 1850. Students will attend lectures and complete readings and listening assignments, writing exercises and a weekly listening lab. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of factual, conceptual and aural materials.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Spring Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Musicking 2: This course addresses methods, materials and media appropriate to the teaching of general music classes and choral rehearsals. It also includes business procedures, organization and management of large and small choral ensembles, with knowledge of techniques in rehearsing, conducting and designing instruction for vocal/choral school groups. Enrollment is limited to students who have successfully passed Sophomore Screening.

Field Experience 2: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in music methods courses.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Core Western Music History 2: This course is a survey of European art music from 1850 to the present. Students will attend lectures and complete readings and listening assignments, writing exercises and a weekly listening lab. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of factual, conceptual and aural materials.

The Musical Child: This course includes the study of chanting, singing, moving and playing in ensemble using voice, body percussion, pitched and unpitched percussion and recorder for elementary music classes. Instruction includes strategies that focus on composing, arranging and adapting music to meet the classroom needs and ability levels of school vocal/choral and general music students; skills in providing and directing creative experiences and improvising when necessary; and proficiency on appropriate accompanying instruments.

Half Recital: This course is the presentation of a half recital, including classical music and jazz performances, and may be undertaken by a Conservatory student after AP**200-level study has been completed. Students in non- Conservatory curricula may undertake a half recital after four semesters of study. The length of each half recital is not to exceed 25 minutes of music. Concurrent enrollment in applied study is required.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Field Experience 3: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in music methods courses.

Music Literature Elective The Musical Child: This course includes the study of chanting, singing, moving and playing in ensemble using voice, body percussion, pitched and unpitched percussion and recorder for elementary music classes. Instruction includes strategies that focus on composing, arranging and adapting music to meet the classroom needs and ability levels of school vocal/choral and general music students; skills in providing and directing creative experiences and improvising when necessary; and proficiency on appropriate accompanying instruments.

Guitar Class: This course addresses fundamentals of guitar playing. Basic chords strummed to familiar songs, with emphasis on folk song styles in order to provide sufficient skills for classroom instruction of guitar are introduced.

General Education – Science

General Education – Moral Reasoning

Spring Semester

Directed Teaching in Elementary Music: This course consists of observation and teaching in the public schools under the direct supervision of public school faculty and Shenandoah Conservatory faculty. At present, the minimum number of directed teaching hours is 300, which is subject to change, as specified by the Virginia Board of Education to fulfill teacher licensure requirements. The student teaching experience as required by Shenandoah Conservatory, including observation, teaching and seminars, is a full semester in duration.

Directed Teaching in Secondary Music

Student Teaching Seminar: This seminar, taken concurrently with Directed Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Music, is designed to assist students to become caring, reflective educators by providing a forum for collaborative, critical inquiry based on their student teaching experience. The course offers opportunities and frameworks for thinking about and analyzing classroom situations, the teaching-learning process, classroom management, legal and ethical obligations, current issues in education and professional goals and development.

See examples of a traditional four-year Bachelor of Music in Music Education Instrumental Classical Concentration including course descriptions.

First Year

Fall Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Skills 1: This course is designed especially for non-keyboard majors to fulfill basic piano requirements for all curricula. Included are scales, triad qualities and inversions, cadences, chord progressions, transposition, harmonization, score-reading, sight-reading and repertoire.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

The Musician Teacher: This course is an orientation in music education to a wide array of topics regarding music in the schools (K-12). It includes readings, guided observations, and discussion of contemporary trends and practices presented in a seminar setting.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Introduction to Music Theory: This course covers key, modality, rhythm and meter; notation; all tonal interval, scale, triad and seventh chord forms, as well as an introduction to part-writing and harmonic progression in tonal music. Concepts are reinforced with student-written examples, repertoire analysis, intervallic and harmonic identification, melodic and rhythmic dictations, and sightsinging. Enrollment by placement examination only.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

General Education – Composition: This course provides instruction and practice designed to increase competence in communication, with primary emphasis on expository writing.

Going Global – First-Year Seminar: Multidisciplinary, first-year seminar classes which cover a wide range of topics designed to facilitate student’s interest in global learning and to demonstrate an increased capacity to realize development as global citizens able to make responsible contributions within a community, nation and world. Open only to first-year, first-semester students.

Spring Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills 2: This course builds upon keyboard skills developed in APCP 105. Each category continues at a more advanced level.

Applied Minor (keyboard majors only): Applied minor lessons are individual lessons for students to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific major or minor curriculum outlines. Open to students in other curricula if accepted into a Conservatory minor.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Foundations of Education in Music: Students explore historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of education and music in the United States. Overview of ethical, legal and contemporary trends and implications for music education are included.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

String Teaching Techniques: This course addresses fundamental playing techniques of string instruments. It includes a survey of teaching techniques and materials, competency in rehearsing and conducting instrumental ensembles.

Diatonic Harmony and Simple Forms: This course continues the study of tonal music, including more advanced harmonic writing and analysis (seventh chords, secondary function and modulation), figured bass realization and part writing.

Ear Training I: Ear Training I involves practical application of the content of MUTC 102 to the hearing and performance of music, including tonal and rhythmic sightsinging techniques using movable-do solfege. It also continues to develop the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation skills introduced in MUTC 101 and incorporates cadences and simple four-part dictation.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

General Education – Math

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Reading and Literacy in Music: Students examine reading, writing, speaking and listening processes as they apply to the development of literacy in the K-12 education of music students. Study of word, text, sign and symbol and their comprehension and strategies for instruction are included.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Beginning Winds: This course addresses fundamental playing techniques of brass and woodwind instruments. The focus includes a survey of teaching techniques and materials.

Voice Class: Designed for non-voice majors, this course is a study of vocal physiology, diction, tone production and performance. Vocal literature, voice classification and vocal health will be discussed. Classes will be oriented toward performance improvement.

Chromatic Harmony and Compound Forms: MUTC 201 is the final examination of tonal music theory, including advanced harmonic writing and analysis (augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan sixth chords, other altered chords, and ninth chords), style period analysis concentrated on the Classical and Romantic periods, sonata form and contrapuntal techniques, including fugue.

Ear Training 2: This course provides practical application of the content of MUTC 102 and MUTC 201. Students will learn sightsinging and transcriptions of melodies that modulate, rhythmic reading and transcription involving complex rhythmic relationships such as syncopations in compound meters and hemiola, harmonic singing and transcription involving standard tonal progressions with chromatic harmonies and modulation. This course also develops the skill of identifying formal relationships in simple binary and ternary forms.

Health Issues for Artists: The purpose of this course is to provide injury prevention education for students in the Conservatory curricula in music and dance.

General Psychology: A basic introduction to psychology with emphasis given to such ideas as measurement, testing, learning, motivation, emotions, attitudes, social influences on behavior, personality, behavior disorders, mental health and psychotherapy.

Spring Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Beginning Choral and Instrumental Conducting: In this course, students will learn effective musicianship through study of the fundamentals of conducting, including patterns, baton technique, score reading, and rehearsal techniques for choral and instrumental music as these skills relate to teaching music performance ensembles. Students will acquire basic competency in rehearsing and conducting choral ensembles and combined vocal and instrumental school groups.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Intro to Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education: This course is a study of music curricula and assessment and the creation of learning environments that support diverse learners in inclusive settings. It includes construction, administration and evaluation of tests and other assessment tools. It begins with an overview of instructional planning, the relationship of objectives to standards and strategies for ensuring alignment between standards, curriculum and instruction, and assessment.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Intermediate Winds: This course addresses pedagogical techniques for teaching woodwind and brass instruments in private, small group and large ensemble settings. It is a synthesis of pedagogical concepts introduced in Beginning Winds.

Post-Tonal Theory: This course examines compositional materials and techniques from the late 19th Century and beyond, including the twelve-tone system, new uses of tonality and modality, the avant garde and music of the present.

Ear Training 3: This course provides practical application of the content of MUTC 201 and MUTC 202. Students will learn sightsinging and transcription of melodies that modulate, as well as melodies from the post-tonal era. Students will perform, identify and transcribe rhythms from the post-tonal era and sing and transcribe modulating harmonic progressions. This course also develops students’ abilities to perceive relationships across musical forms.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Child Development: This course focuses on the study of the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children from conception through adolescence. Individual differences and developmental issues as they relate to all areas of the child’s life will be emphasized.

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Preschool/Elementary Methods Choral/General Methods: This course is the study of various methods and materials used in the teaching of choral and general music in pre- kindergarten through grade six including curriculum design with national and state music standards as well as performing, responding and creative assessments. Course experiences are highly participatory to facilitate improvement of musical and pedagogical skills. Enrollment is limited to students who have successfully passed Sophomore Screening.

Field Experience 1: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in the elementary music methods course.

Teaching From the Podium 1: This course includes the study of the methods, materials and pedagogical techniques related to teaching instrumental music in schools including curriculum development, National Standards for Arts Education, Virginia Standards of Learning, psychology of teaching and evaluation of student learning.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Core Western Music History 1: This course is a survey of European art music from 1650 to 1850. Students will attend lectures and complete readings and listening assignments, writing exercises and a weekly listening lab. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of factual, conceptual and aural materials.

Percussion Teaching Techniques: This course addresses fundamental playing techniques of percussion instruments. Focus includes survey of teaching techniques and materials, competency in rehearsing and conducting instrumental ensembles.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Spring Semester

Applied Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Teaching From the Podium 2: This course is continued study of the methods, materials and techniques related to teaching instrumental music in schools. Areas of focus include score study and analysis for preparation of ensemble class lessons; practical exploration of rehearsal techniques with an emphasis placed on clarity and efficiency in solving problems of balance, ensemble, intonation and phrasing; designing and teaching units of study; and assessments for instrumental performance class. Additional attention will be given to improved clarity of basic stick technique and application to musical and pedagogical problems encountered in the classroom.

Field Experience 2: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in music methods courses.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Core Western Music History 2: This course is a survey of European art music from 1850 to the present. Students will attend lectures and complete readings and listening assignments, writing exercises and a weekly listening lab. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of factual, conceptual and aural materials.

Half Recital: This course is the presentation of a half recital, including classical music and jazz performances, and may be undertaken by a Conservatory student after AP**200-level study has been completed. Students in non- Conservatory curricula may undertake a half recital after four semesters of study. The length of each half recital is not to exceed 25 minutes of music. Concurrent enrollment in applied study is required.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Ensembles in Contemporary Music Education: This course addresses philosophical and pedagogical foundations for providing music ensemble experiences within the public schools. There is a special focus on how to incorporate and support the inclusion of marching band, jazz band, small ensembles and combos into the traditional public school music program.

Field Experience 3: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in music methods courses.

Music Literature Elective

Guitar Class: This course addresses fundamentals of guitar playing. Basic chords strummed to familiar songs, with emphasis on folk song styles in order to provide sufficient skills for classroom instruction of guitar are introduced.

General Education – Science

General Education – Moral Reasoning

Spring Semester

Directed Teaching in Elementary Music: This course consists of observation and teaching in the public schools under the direct supervision of public school faculty and Shenandoah Conservatory faculty. At present, the minimum number of directed teaching hours is 300, which is subject to change, as specified by the Virginia Board of Education to fulfill teacher licensure requirements. The student teaching experience as required by Shenandoah Conservatory, including observation, teaching and seminars, is a full semester in duration.

Directed Teaching in Secondary Music

Student Teaching Seminar: This seminar, taken concurrently with Directed Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Music, is designed to assist students to become caring, reflective educators by providing a forum for collaborative, critical inquiry based on their student teaching experience. The course offers opportunities and frameworks for thinking about and analyzing classroom situations, the teaching-learning process, classroom management, legal and ethical obligations, current issues in education and professional goals and development.

 

See examples of a traditional four-year Bachelor of Music in Music Education Instrumental Jazz Concentration including course descriptions.

First Year

Fall Semester

Instrumental Jazz Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Skills 1: This course is designed especially for non-keyboard majors to fulfill basic piano requirements for all curricula. Included are scales, triad qualities and inversions, cadences, chord progressions, transposition, harmonization, score-reading, sight-reading and repertoire.

Applied Performance Development: Applied performance development is applied study in a specific instrument designed to expand knowledge of repertoire and performance practice in idioms as determined by the applied instructor.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

The Musician Teacher: This course is an orientation in music education to a wide array of topics regarding music in the schools (K-12). It includes readings, guided observations, and discussion of contemporary trends and practices presented in a seminar setting.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Introduction to Music Theory: This course covers key, modality, rhythm and meter; notation; all tonal interval, scale, triad and seventh chord forms, as well as an introduction to part-writing and harmonic progression in tonal music. Concepts are reinforced with student-written examples, repertoire analysis, intervallic and harmonic identification, melodic and rhythmic dictations, and sightsinging. Enrollment by placement examination only. After successful completion of MUTC 101, students must be continuously registered each fall and spring semester until the sequence of MUTC 101, MUTC 102, MUTC 201, and MUTC 202 is completed.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

General Education – Composition: This course provides instruction and practice designed to increase competence in communication, with primary emphasis on expository writing.

Going Global – First-Year Seminar: Multidisciplinary, first-year seminar classes which cover a wide range of topics designed to facilitate student’s interest in global learning and to demonstrate an increased capacity to realize development as global citizens able to make responsible contributions within a community, nation and world. Open only to first-year, first-semester students.

Spring Semester

Instrumental Jazz Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills 2: This course builds upon keyboard skills developed in APCP 105. Each category continues at a more advanced level.

Applied Performance Development: Applied performance development is applied study in a specific instrument designed to expand knowledge of repertoire and performance practice in idioms as determined by the applied instructor.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Foundations of Education in Music: Students explore historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of education and music in the United States. Overview of ethical, legal and contemporary trends and implications for music education are included.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

String Teaching Techniques: This course addresses fundamental playing techniques of string instruments. It includes a survey of teaching techniques and materials, competency in rehearsing and conducting instrumental ensembles.

Diatonic Harmony and Simple Forms: This course continues the study of tonal music, including more advanced harmonic writing and analysis (seventh chords, secondary function and modulation), figured bass realization and part writing.

Ear Training I: Ear Training I involves practical application of the content of MUTC 102 to the hearing and performance of music, including tonal and rhythmic sightsinging techniques using movable-do solfege. It also continues to develop the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation skills introduced in MUTC 101 and incorporates cadences and simple four-part dictation.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

General Education – Math

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Instrumental Jazz Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Reading and Literacy in Music: Students examine reading, writing, speaking and listening processes as they apply to the development of literacy in the K-12 education of music students. Study of word, text, sign and symbol and their comprehension and strategies for instruction are included.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Beginning Winds: This course addresses fundamental playing techniques of brass and woodwind instruments. The focus includes a survey of teaching techniques and materials.

Voice Class: Designed for non-voice majors, this course is a study of vocal physiology, diction, tone production and performance. Vocal literature, voice classification and vocal health will be discussed. Classes will be oriented toward performance improvement.

Chromatic Harmony and Compound Forms: MUTC 201 is the final examination of tonal music theory, including advanced harmonic writing and analysis (augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan sixth chords, other altered chords, and ninth chords), style period analysis concentrated on the Classical and Romantic periods, sonata form and contrapuntal techniques, including fugue.

Ear Training 2: This course provides practical application of the content of MUTC 102 and MUTC 201. Students will learn sightsinging and transcriptions of melodies that modulate, rhythmic reading and transcription involving complex rhythmic relationships such as syncopations in compound meters and hemiola, harmonic singing and transcription involving standard tonal progressions with chromatic harmonies and modulation. This course also develops the skill of identifying formal relationships in simple binary and ternary forms.

Health Issues for Artists: The purpose of this course is to provide injury prevention education for students in the Conservatory curricula in music and dance.

General Psychology: A basic introduction to psychology with emphasis given to such ideas as measurement, testing, learning, motivation, emotions, attitudes, social influences on behavior, personality, behavior disorders, mental health and psychotherapy.

Spring Semester

Instrumental Jazz Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Beginning Choral and Instrumental Conducting: In this course, students will learn effective musicianship through study of the fundamentals of conducting, including patterns, baton technique, score reading, and rehearsal techniques for choral and instrumental music as these skills relate to teaching music performance ensembles. Students will acquire basic competency in rehearsing and conducting choral ensembles and combined vocal and instrumental school groups.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Intro to Curriculum and Assessment in Music Education: This course is a study of music curricula and assessment and the creation of learning environments that support diverse learners in inclusive settings. It includes construction, administration and evaluation of tests and other assessment tools. It begins with an overview of instructional planning, the relationship of objectives to standards and strategies for ensuring alignment between standards, curriculum and instruction, and assessment.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Intermediate Winds: This course addresses pedagogical techniques for teaching woodwind and brass instruments in private, small group and large ensemble settings. It is a synthesis of pedagogical concepts introduced in Beginning Winds.

Post-Tonal Theory: This course examines compositional materials and techniques from the late 19th Century and beyond, including the twelve-tone system, new uses of tonality and modality, the avant garde and music of the present.

Ear Training 3: This course provides practical application of the content of MUTC 201 and MUTC 202. Students will learn sightsinging and transcription of melodies that modulate, as well as melodies from the post-tonal era. Students will perform, identify and transcribe rhythms from the post-tonal era and sing and transcribe modulating harmonic progressions. This course also develops students’ abilities to perceive relationships across musical forms.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Child Development: This course focuses on the study of the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children from conception through adolescence. Individual differences and developmental issues as they relate to all areas of the child’s life will be emphasized.

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Instrumental Jazz Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Teaching from the Podium 1: This course includes the study of the methods, materials and pedagogical techniques related to teaching instrumental music in schools including curriculum development, National Standards for Arts Education, Virginia Standards of Learning, psychology of teaching and evaluation of student learning.

Jazz Combo Ensemble: Jazz combos are designed to expand upon the student’s improvisation and interpretive skills in a jazz chamber music setting. Emphasis will be placed on standard repertoire from the swing era up to the present. Student arrangements are encouraged. Particular attention will be focused on ear-training and listening skills with respect to chord/scale recognition in improvisation. The students may also be required to memorize some or all of the repertoire. Audition required.

Preschool/Elementary Methods Choral/General Methods: This course is the study of various methods and materials used in the teaching of choral and general music in pre- kindergarten through grade six including curriculum design with national and state music standards as well as performing, responding and creative assessments. Course experiences are highly participatory to facilitate improvement of musical and pedagogical skills. Enrollment is limited to students who have successfully passed Sophomore Screening.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Core Western Music History 1: This course is a survey of European art music from 1650 to 1850. Students will attend lectures and complete readings and listening assignments, writing exercises and a weekly listening lab. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of factual, conceptual and aural materials.

Percussion Teaching Techniques: This course addresses fundamental playing techniques of percussion instruments. Focus includes survey of teaching techniques and materials, competency in rehearsing and conducting instrumental ensembles.

Jazz Theory 1: This course is designed to equip the student with theory skills necessary to successfully improvise in the jazz idiom. It emphasizes lead sheet notation, modes and harmonic analysis, and includes an introduction to jazz style.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Spring Semester

Instrumental Jazz Major: Applied major lessons are individual lessons for students majoring in performance curricula to fulfill degree requirements as described in specific curriculum outlines. Detailed course descriptions are obtained from the instructor at the first lesson or found in the handbook of the division offering the instruction.

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Teaching from the Podium 2: This course is continued study of the methods, materials and techniques related to teaching instrumental music in schools. Areas of focus include score study and analysis for preparation of ensemble class lessons; practical exploration of rehearsal techniques with an emphasis placed on clarity and efficiency in solving problems of balance, ensemble, intonation and phrasing; designing and teaching units of study; and assessments for instrumental performance class. Additional attention will be given to improved clarity of basic stick technique and application to musical and pedagogical problems encountered in the classroom.

Field Experience 2: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in music methods courses.

Jazz Combo Ensemble: Jazz combos are designed to expand upon the student’s improvisation and interpretive skills in a jazz chamber music setting. Emphasis will be placed on standard repertoire from the swing era up to the present. Student arrangements are encouraged. Particular attention will be focused on ear-training and listening skills with respect to chord/scale recognition in improvisation. The students may also be required to memorize some or all of the repertoire. Audition required.

Ensemble: This course is a performing ensemble relative to one’s applied major or minor. Ensembles are chosen through an audition process.

Core Western Music History 2: This course is a survey of European art music from 1850 to the present. Students will attend lectures and complete readings and listening assignments, writing exercises and a weekly listening lab. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of factual, conceptual and aural materials.

Half Recital: This course is the presentation of a half recital, including classical music and jazz performances, and may be undertaken by a Conservatory student after AP**200-level study has been completed. Students in non- Conservatory curricula may undertake a half recital after four semesters of study. The length of each half recital is not to exceed 25 minutes of music. Concurrent enrollment in applied study is required.

Jazz Theory 2: This course is a continuation of Jazz Theory I. It reviews chord/scale relationships, and introduces modal interchange, voicings and voice leading, non-harmonic tone treatment, melodic elaboration, chord substitution, rhythm changes, the Coltrane matrix and extensive exploration of solo analysis.

Performance Forum: This course requires attendance at selected events that support curricular offerings.

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Music Teaching Colloquium: This colloquium is designed to examine relationships between pedagogy, research and practice in music education.

Field Experience 3: This course requires observing, assisting and teaching music in a public school setting. It is designed to provide practical application of the teaching skills and strategies discussed in music methods courses.

Jazz History: This course surveys the origin, development styles and major contributors of jazz through listening, analysis and research.

Guitar Class: This course addresses fundamentals of guitar playing. Basic chords strummed to familiar songs, with emphasis on folk song styles in order to provide sufficient skills for classroom instruction of guitar are introduced.

Jazz Arranging and Composition: This is a basic course in arranging techniques, focusing on the small jazz ensemble. Voicing techniques, non-harmonic tone treatment, style, instrumentation and jazz form are emphasized.

General Education – Science

General Education – Moral Reasoning

Spring Semester

Directed Teaching in Elementary Music: This course consists of observation and teaching in the public schools under the direct supervision of public school faculty and Shenandoah Conservatory faculty. At present, the minimum number of directed teaching hours is 300, which is subject to change, as specified by the Virginia Board of Education to fulfill teacher licensure requirements. The student teaching experience as required by Shenandoah Conservatory, including observation, teaching and seminars, is a full semester in duration.

Directed Teaching in Secondary Music

Student Teaching Seminar: This seminar, taken concurrently with Directed Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Music, is designed to assist students to become caring, reflective educators by providing a forum for collaborative, critical inquiry based on their student teaching experience. The course offers opportunities and frameworks for thinking about and analyzing classroom situations, the teaching-learning process, classroom management, legal and ethical obligations, current issues in education and professional goals and development.

Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks, you will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.

Learn About Education Abroad

 

Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program

The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.

GEL Courses Currently Offered

My favorite part of the GEL Uganda trip was doing the interviews and research with the grannies who were part of the project. Seeing their faces and expressions when we took interest in them and their lives was priceless! We not only learned a lot from them, but we gained valuable insight into the life of Ugandan women as well. I major in music, but I’ve got so many interests outside of that field as well. This trip was an incredible way for me to pursue some of those interests. In addition to being interested in those subject fields, this was a great way to go abroad and serve others while still gaining knowledge and learning new things that apply to my future as well. I would definitely highly recommend GEL trips to all students. The idea that you can experience other countries and serve others while still learning and contributing to your education is vital to global learning and citizenship. I’d go back to Africa again any day—the stigmatized view of the continent is nothing like what I experienced! The three professors on this trip were incredible in guiding our learning and serving as our friends for the trip. The interactions we all had together were as colleagues—learning alongside one another.

Anne Griggs ’19 | Music Education, Instrumental emphasis

Study Abroad

Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.

Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.

Study Abroad Course Catalog