Music Education
Bachelor of Music & Bachelor of Arts
Inspire the next generation of great musicians
Study Music Education at LBC
Sharing the Gift of Music with Aspiring Artists
If music and teaching are your passions, why not make them your career? Through Lancaster Bible College’s music education major, we’ll equip you to train up-and-coming musicians of all ages.
Educators impact the lives of their students far beyond the time they spend in their classrooms. Take your love of music and share it with the next generation of artists by becoming a music teacher.
From teaching kindergartners to keep a steady beat to teaching middle school students to play guitar to directing a high school orchestra, music education students learn how to do it all. Through Lancaster Bible College’s music education program, you’ll learn the skills you need, like classroom management, music theory and timeless education philosophies to instill a love and awe of music into your students.
Through LBC’s unique music education, you’ll also enjoy a Christian college education that’s Bible-centric, incorporating the Word of God into every class. Plus, our students learn from the pros themselves who’ve spent years teaching music in a variety of educational settings and be inspired to teach through a nurturing environment that gives high priority to your development as an artist.
Our program allows our students that same access to diverse educational settings, requiring them to student teach in both public schools and private, all while also enjoying their own private music lessons and working towards various certifications required to teach in the field.
If you’re ready to pass on your love of learning and music, consider earning your music education degree here at LBC.
Why Study Music Education at LBC?
- Get real experience teaching through our internship, practicum and student teaching program that gives you practical, hands-on experience in music classrooms, under the supervision of experienced teachers.
- Learn performance skills by performing for your peers and the public.
- Earn your Pennsylvania I Certification in Music K-12 as well as the ACSI Certification in Music.
- Earn your degree in music education from an accredited Bible college in PA.
Programs leading to teacher certification are approved by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
A Closer Look: Music Education
Hands-On Experience
Hear what our students are saying about LBC’s Music Education program.
Meet the Faculty
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Rachel Sidebothom, MEd
Assistant Professor, Director of Music Education Studies, Oboe Instructor, Director of Chamber Ensembles, Associate Chair of MWPA
“I believe music is an eternal gift given to us by God to glorify Him and encourage and edify one another. What greater profession can one have than training students of all ages to know, understand, develop, and use this gift!” — Mrs. Sidebothom
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Paul Thorlakson, DMA
Professor, Director of Piano Studies, Director of LBC Orchestra, Chair of Music, Worship & Performing Arts Department
“I think of faithful music making in much the same way as Eric Liddell felt about his athletic pursuits: ‘I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, When I run I feel God’s pleasure.’ When I perform music to the Glory of God, I sense in His pleasure in the pursuit of artistic excellence.” — Dr. Thorlakson
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Robert Bigley, DMA
Professor, Director of Choral Studies and Chorale & Chamber Singers, Director of Arts and Culture Series
“God has entrusted each of us with talents (Mt. 25:14–30). Your job is to invest those talents in such a way that they develop into skill, which God will ultimately use for His glory (Ps. 33:3). My job as a professor is to help you do that (1 Chr. 15:22).” — Dr. Bigley
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Timothy Sidebothom, PhD
Professor, Director of Music: Elective Studies
“While Desmond Tutu is credited with saying: ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.’ God’s Word clearly taught us first that our role as Christ-followers and musicians is not neutral in the present, the past or the future, but we first need to know where we’ve been (through studying history) so we best know where we’re going!” – Dr. Sidebothom
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Brent Behrenshausen, MM
Adjunct Faculty - Percussion Ensemble
“Focus on the details – they are cumulative.” – Mr. Behrenshausen
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Sample Course Outline
MUS 101 – Music Theory I
Elements of music including melody, counterpoint, harmony, and tonality are studied. Roman numerals, figured bass, and chord symbols are used in beginning analytical and practical applications.
EDU 101 – Teaching Profession
This course will offer an introduction to the teaching profession by examining the characteristics of an effective teacher and the professional training required for an individual to be certified. It will also review the school environment where instruction takes place, the educational philosophies that direct the design of teaching and learning, and the legislation that has impacted education at all levels including teacher preparation. These foundational concepts will be analyzed in light of a biblical worldview for education.
EDU 204 – Instructional Design
This course introduces students to the principles of instructional design. Students will understand the role outcomes and standards play in instructional design and will design ways to assess learning. Effective lesson planning will be discussed and practiced as students explore various instructional methods and materials. Instructional design will be observed and studied in classroom experiences.
MUE 201 – Pedagogical Methods of Music Instruction
This course is designed to provide a philosophical and biblical framework for music education by investigating pedagogical methods of music instruction in multiple settings, including traditional classroom music, studio instruction and non-traditional music classroom settings, such as children’s choirs and small group instruction. Analysis will include the following: Suzuki, Kodaly, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Orff-Schulwerk, and Music Learning Theory. Observation hours will be included in this course.
MUE 302 – Music Learning and Development
This course examines human growth and development from conception through adolescence as it specifically applies to music education contexts for classroom and studio instruction. It includes a review of the theories of learning music and the activities and skills that are appropriate for different age groups. Foundations of differentiation of instruction and adaptation for students with special needs will be examined. Observation hours will be included in this course.
MUE 220 – Art of Teaching General Music I
This course is designed to equip the pre-service teacher with the competencies necessary to creatively formulate and plan a thorough elementary music program, and effectively teach and evaluate elementary music programs. Classroom management and strategies for teaching exceptional learners and ELLs will also be addressed. Although the specific focus of this course is on the elementary level, many of the principles of teaching and learning apply to younger and older learners. Co-requisite: Internship.
EDU 335 – Inclusionary Practices
This course will begin with providing an in depth look into the differentiated classroom. Each principle of differentiation will be analyzed with students formulating instructional strategies based on these principles. The remaining balance of the content of this course will be spent examining the inclusive classroom and how to provide effective instruction for various classifications of students with special needs.
HUM480 – World Music
This course is an exploration of several global cultural soundscapes from an ethnomusicological perspective, emphasizing the role of music in culture, specifically how music both reflects and affects cultural identities. The goal is to understand each tradition in terms of its ways of organizing musical sound and its place both within its own culture and in the larger story of world music. Students should develop not just knowledge about music, but knowledge of music, together with an appreciation for the different but equally valid ways in which various cultures meet the God-given human need for music. This course also views culture’s use of music as a means of theological reflection and as a missiological tool.
EDU 450 – Practicum
This early field experience is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to practice professional instructional and management skills in an urban classroom. The student’s performance will be reviewed by a classroom cooperating teacher and regular visits by a college supervisor. As a part of the experience prior to student teaching, the student will articulate a personal educational philosophy.
Featured Courses
MUE 201 - Pedagogical Methods of Music Instruction
This course is designed to provide a philosophical and biblical framework for music education by investigating pedagogical methods of music instruction in multiple settings, including traditional classroom music, studio instruction and non-traditional music classroom settings, such as children’s choirs and small group instruction. Analysis will include the following: Suzuki, Kodaly, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Orff-Schulwerk, and Music Learning Theory. Observation hours will be included in this course.
MUE 320 - Art of Teaching Choral Music
This course covers methods of instruction, organization, and presentation of appropriate content in choral music classes in elementary and secondary settings. Topics to be explored will include choral literature appropriate for a variety of levels and learning styles, methodology involving sight-reading and strengthening musicianship, building a choral program, rehearsal techniques, conducting methods, and issues pertaining to the development of a choral ensemble. Classroom management, assessment, and strategies for teaching exceptional learners and ELLs will also be addressed.
STEPS FOR ADMISSION INTO THIS MAJOR
1. APPLY TO LBC BY COMPLETING OUR ONLINE APPLICATION.
2. AUDITION FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THIS MAJOR
Every student who applies to any major in the Music, Worship & Performing Arts department must audition for acceptance into the major of their interest and must also be accepted as a student to Lancaster Bible College.
Careers and Jobs in Music Education
- Church Music Director
- Community Music Teacher
- Music Teacher (K-12 Schools)
- Private Music Teacher