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Music Education Program

Music Education

Earn your Virginia Music Education Licensure (Choral or Instrumental) and an M.A.Ed. degree

Dr. Catheryn Foster directs the VT Honor Band
Dr. Catheryn Foster conducting the Orange Band at the Virginia Tech Honor Band event (Jan. 2023)
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Dynamic, Robust Program

Who We Are

The Music Education Program faculty strive to identify and recruit talented and knowledgeable choral or instrumental teacher candidates, especially from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. We provide students with a variety of field experiences and other simulations that allow them to develop and practice teaching skills with a close focus on practices that support learning for diverse music students.

What We Offer

We have a five-year record of 100% job placement of graduates. This is based on the reputation and accomplishments of our previous graduates, as well as the fact that the VT program has more hands-on experience than any other program in the region. Our students interview with confidence based on their education and their experiences. Graduates seek and earn positions secondary and elementary schools. Music educators also find careers outside of K-12 schools, in a variety of arts venues. 

Want to Study With Us?

Students who possess or are in the process of completing an undergraduate degree in music (i.e., B.A. in Music, B.S. in Music Performance) are encouraged to apply. Each plan of study is tailored to the needs of the individual student. 

Scroll down further on this page (or click the links) to learn about our approach, our program application dates and deadlines, meet our faculty, see news about our program, see music education alumni news, learn about music education program events, see photos from our program and our alumni, and to learn about our accreditation and memberships!

Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”), Conductors of the South Georgia Middle and High School Region Bands
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”)
Dr. Foster rehearsing the South Georgia Middle School Region Band (Spring 22)
Dr. Foster rehearsing the South Georgia Middle School Region Band (Spring 22)

Our Rigorous, Research-Based, Proven Approach

The Virginia Tech Music Education Program provides Master’s students with a strong background in learning, pedagogy, and assessment in small classes. Contemporary educational thought and "best" instructional practices are provided for each level of K-12 education.

The School of Education's values of Equity and Access, Reflective Practice, and Learner Centered Instruction are modeled and developed throughout the program.

The Cohort Model and its Benefits

The Music Education Program utilizes cohort model. The cohort model is designed to facilitate social interaction, collaboration, and the formation of a supportive learning community.

Students in cohorts learn from and help each other with the successful completion of coursework and professional networking. Students who participate in cohort models generally report a strong sense of belonging and are more likely to complete their programs of study in a timely manner.

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Program Application Deadlines & Dates

Starting Semester:

Fall

Deadline:

May 1

Starting Semester:

Spring

Deadline:

October 1

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY

Dr. Catheryn Foster smiles confidently into the camera. she wears a light blue blouse. She has brown hair and blue eyes
Dr. Catheryn Foster, Assistant Professor of Practice of Music Education and Program Leader

AFFILIATED FACULTY

Emmett O'Leary

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Music Education News

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Music Education Alumni News

Coming soon!

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Music Education Events: Past, Present, and Future

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Music Education Photos

Dr. Tina Holmes-Davis, Associate Professor of Music at Georgia College & State University, guest lectured on learner differentiation with our EDCI 5724 class (Fall 22)
Dr. Tina Holmes-Davis, Associate Professor of Music at Georgia College & State University, guest lectured on learner differentiation with our EDCI 5724 class (Fall 22)
Dr. Foster rehearsing the South Georgia Middle School Region Band (Spring 22)
Dr. Foster rehearsing the South Georgia Middle School Region Band (Spring 22)
Dr. Benjamin Harper (Director of Bands, Valdosta State University), Dr. Catheryn Foster (Assistant Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech), Dr. Quincy Hilliard (Composer in Residence & Endowed Professor of Music, University of Louisiana Lafayette), Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”), and Dr. Javian Brabham (Professor of Trumpet, Valdosta State University)
Dr. Benjamin Harper (Director of Bands, Valdosta State University), Dr. Catheryn Foster (Assistant Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech), Dr. Quincy Hilliard (Composer in Residence & Endowed Professor of Music, University of Louisiana Lafayette), Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”), and Dr. Javian Brabham (Professor of Trumpet, Valdosta State University)
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster guest conducting the Valdosta State University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Keith Matthews, Director of Performing Arts, Hanover County Schools - he guest lectured EDCI 5704 & EDCI 5744 (Spring 22)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Keith Matthews, Director of Performing Arts, Hanover County Schools - he guest lectured EDCI 5704 & EDCI 5744 (Spring 22)
Dr. Foster was the 9-10 Clinician for the Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Honor Band Dr. Randall Coleman (Director of Bands, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga), Dr. Catheryn Foster, Dr. James M. David (Professor of Music Composition, Colorado State University), Dr. Andrew Poor (Director of Bands, South Forsyth Middle School)
Dr. Foster was the 9-10 Clinician for the Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Honor Band Dr. Randall Coleman (Director of Bands, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga), Dr. Catheryn Foster, Dr. James M. David (Professor of Music Composition, Colorado State University), Dr. Andrew Poor (Director of Bands, South Forsyth Middle School)
Duncan Elston (VT c/o 2020) participating in a clinic at the Virginia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference
Duncan Elston (VT c/o 2020) participating in a clinic at the Virginia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Nick Meredith (VT c/o 2022) at Galax High School when Dr. Foster went to clinic his band
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Nick Meredith (VT c/o 2022) at Galax High School when Dr. Foster went to clinic his band
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster conducting the Orange Band at the Virginia Tech Honor Band event (Jan. 2023)
Dr. Catheryn Foster conducting the Orange Band at the Virginia Tech Honor Band event (Jan. 2023)

Dr. Catheryn Foster, Dr. Emmett O’Leary (Assistant Professor of Music Education, Virginia Tech), Dr. Corey Seapy (Director of Bands, University of Central Missouri), Dr. Derek Shapiro (Director of Bands, Virginia Tech) - Virginia Tech Honor Band Conductors

Dr. Catheryn Foster, Dr. Emmett O’Leary (Assistant Professor of Music Education, Virginia Tech), Dr. Corey Seapy (Director of Bands, University of Central Missouri), Dr. Derek Shapiro (Director of Bands, Virginia Tech) - Virginia Tech Honor Band Conductors
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Logan Epperly (VT c/o 2022, Director of Bands at Chatham Middle and High Schools) at the Pittsylvania County (VA) Pre-Assessment Event
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Logan Epperly (VT c/o 2022, Director of Bands at Chatham Middle and High Schools) at the Pittsylvania County (VA) Pre-Assessment Event
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”), Conductors of the South Georgia Middle and High School Region Bands
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”), Conductors of the South Georgia Middle and High School Region Bands

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ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIP

Our Music Education Teacher Preparation Program is approved by the Virginia Department of Education. The Music Education Program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

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