Program Requirements

Bachelor of Music: Music Education

All Music Education applicants must submit prescreening materials (if required for the applicant's instrument) and complete a performance audition on their primary instrument. Prescreening and audition repertoire requirements may be found on this page. (select your instrument from the list).

Current Bienen School BM students can interview to add the music education major during auditions in the winter quarter of each school year. Interested students not already in the BM program will also need to schedule an audition for their primary instrument's performance faculty. Please email musiclife@northwestern.edu for more information. 

Music education applicants ALSO will have a separate music education audition consisting of the following four components:

  • Sight‐singing diagnostic*: sing simple melodies at sight.
  • Keyboard diagnostic*: sight-read simple piano excerpts.
  • An interview consisting of questions relevant to your interests in music teaching and learning among children and adolescents.
  • Performance of a prepared piece on your major instrument, chosen from your audition repertoire**.

*The diagnostic exams are just to help determine what your entry level skills are in these areas.

**All Music Education applicants must prepare the full prescreening (if applicable) and audition repertoire requirements for their primary instrument. 

Other Degrees

Master of Music: Music Education (1 year)
Master of Music: Music Education (2 year w/certification)