Music Education

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree at UNC Charlotte includes a rigorous, research-based curriculum with two concentrations: Instrumental/General Music and Choral/General Music. Both concentrations prepare candidates for teaching general music, orchestra, band, and choir while leading to K-12 Music licensure in North Carolina. Our program provides in-the-field teaching opportunities beginning with the second semester of study. These experiences include community service, directed observations, lab teaching, and full-time student teaching and allow our students to gain experience teaching students of varying abilities and diversities. We sponsor a chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) for which professional development workshops and opportunities are realized throughout the academic year—including attending our state music education conference in Winston-Salem (NCMEA In-Service). To date, our job placement rate for graduating students who seek teaching positions is 100%. Others choose to pursue graduate-level degrees and have entered into graduate programs at prestigious Schools of Music.

Our program…

• Prepares professionals to be knowledgeable, effective, reflective, collaborative, and responsive practitioners who are leaders in their fields.
• Prepares highly effective and ethical professionals who have a positive impact on children, youth, families, communities, and schools.
• Prepares professionals for success in a wide range of teaching situations, including urban, suburban, and rural settings.
• Prepares students to develop an educational environment where all feel safe, valued, represented, and supported.

Our Faculty’s Core Values

• We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality of music teacher preparation through carefully sequenced, research-based curricula, projects, and authentic pedagogical experiences.
• We are committed to the advancement of music through research and scholarly activity in order to implement best practices in all teaching/ensemble learning situations.
• We respect and welcome the presence and participation of individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences.
• We are committed to offering equal access to opportunities along with fair, just, and impartial treatment in an environment where all feel welcomed, accepted, and respected.
• We are committed to establishing and developing professional relationships with our students as we guide them to become teachers, professionals, scholars, and leaders.

Our Concentrations & Music Education Faculty

• Dr. Evelyn Orman, Professor of Music Education
  • MUED 2200 Foundations of Music Education
  • MUED 2141 Music Development & Learning
  • MUSC 2151 Introduction to Music Technology
  • MUSC 4094 Instrumental Ensemble Techniques
• Dr. Fred Spano, Coordinator of Music Education
  • MUED 4190 Choral Methods
  • MUED 4190 Choral Methods Lab
  • MUED 4192 General Music Methods
  • MUED 4192 General Music Methods Lab
  • MUED 4467 Student Teaching in Music (General Music and Choral)
  • MUSC 4090 Choral Ensemble Techniques
• Dr. Jennifer Whitaker, Professor of Music Education
  • MUED 2100 Introduction to Music Education
  • MUED 4194 Instrumental Methods
  • MUED 4194L Instrumental Methods Lab
  • MUED 4467 Student Teaching in Music (Instrumental)
  • MUPF 1117 Instrumental Lab Ensemble

Collegiate NAfME (CNAfME)

The Department of Music sponsors Chapter 891 of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME), the only professional organization that involves all types of music educators (i.e., general music, band, choir, orchestra). However, membership is open to all students in the Department. Each year collegiate members attend the annual North Carolina Music Educators Conference (NCMEA) in Winston-Salem at a reduced conference price. The NCMEA Conference is an exceptional music education event that includes high-quality honor ensembles; choir, band, and orchestra performances; along with a wealth of professional development workshops, research sessions, and music vendor exhibits addressing all aspects of music teaching. During the conference, collegiate members are able to network with NC teachers and assist with the Department of Music’s exhibitor booth.

The CNAfME chapter at UNC Charlotte also sponsors events for members including on-campus workshops in music education and fundraisers for local school programs. Members also gain valuable experience working with the UNC Charlotte Invitational Honor Bands. Social events have included game nights, caroling, and informal dinners.

Festivals & Community Outreach

• UNC Charlotte Invitational Honor Bands
• Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble (CYWE)
• UNC Charlotte’s Children’s Choir (as part of MUED 4192L)
• UNC Charlotte’s Youth Choir (as part of MUED 4190L and MUSC 4090)

what our music ed alumni have been up to

Regan Sawyer Eudy, a 2020 graduate, is an elementary general music teacher at Mallard Creek STEM Academy. During her first year of teaching, Mrs. Eudy received the 2021 Rookie Teacher of the Year for the Mallard Creek STEM Academy Elementary School.

Laudatory remarks included, Mrs. Eudy “has brought so much joy to our school through music, including our very first choir, Treble Makers. She is passionate about music and does an exceptional job making music education fun and engaging for all learners.” Mrs. Eudy is a member of the National Association for Music Education and regularly attends the North Carolina Music Educators Association Conference.

Dareion Malone When Malone’s corporate job was eliminated in the 2008 economic downturn, he decided to return to school to pursue his first love, music. A baritone, he enrolled at UNC Charlotte and received a BM in Music Education in 2013. In 2019, he received the College of Arts + Architecture Distinguished Alumni Award in Music.

Malone was the Union County Public Schools 2020-21 Teacher of the Year. Selected from among 10 finalists, he was praised by Union County Public Schools officials for his “ability to connect with all students, regardless of their background or musical abilities,” he said in an article on the UCPS website.

Derek Smith (second from the right) earned a BM in Music Education in 2013. Smith teaches band at Hickory Ridge Middle School (Harrisburg, NC) and is a performing musician throughout Charlotte. Smith received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year and the 2020 Stanly County Arts Educator of the Year Awards. He was also selected as a quarter-finalist for the 2022 Music Education Award presented by the National Recording Academy® and Grammy Museum ®. This Music Educator Award recognizes current educators from kindergarten through college in public or private schools, honoring those teachers who have made a significant contribution to music education.

Tucker Smith, a 2019 graduate, is the Assistant Director of Bands at Asheboro High School. During his first year of teaching, Mr. Smith was named the 2019-2020 “Apple of Excellence” award winner for Outstanding First Year Teacher in the Asheboro City School District. He is involved in teaching all of the AHS band ensembles and is the primary instructor for the Comet Blues Jazz Ensemble.

“I am certain I would not feel as prepared as I am to be a new teacher without the education, guidance, and support I have received from the UNC Charlotte Department of Music and the Music Education Faculty.”