A VTSU Castleton music student conducts a group of middle-school students through a vocal exercise.

Music Education, B.M.

Offered :

  • Castleton, VT

This program is eligible for international students requiring an F-1 visa.

What is an In-Person Plus program?

Program-required courses are taught through a combination of in-person and remote delivery. Remote learning may require meeting at a specific time or may not have a specific class time; all weekly interactions and assignments for remote courses are completed through a learning site.

Vermont State’s Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.) program will elevate your musical abilities and prepare you to take your talents to the classroom. This program combines music theory, history, pedagogy, and performance-based courses with an emphasis on instrumental, choral, and general music methodologies to prepare you for PK-12 Music Certification. Students are immersed in the field from the start through observation and field experience placements, culminating in student teaching in year four.

Our small classes and student-focused professors will motivate you to improve your musicianship, collaborate with peers, and work toward your dream to become a music educator. Our B.M. major has a 100% job placement rate for our students, and the faculty will guide you through Vermont’s teacher certification process. You’ll graduate ready to pursue rewarding music teaching jobs and share your skills with the next generation.

We are here to answer your questions about Vermont State University.

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Why Study Music Education at Vermont State?

  • Tailored to Your Goals: You’ll work with your faculty advisor to take classes most relevant to your professional goals. Vermont State offers courses for general, choral, and instrumental music at every level, PreK-12.     
  • Established Credentials: Our program is a member of the National Association of Music Education and the Vermont Music Educators Association.   
  • Partnerships with Schools: We have strong collaborations with local schools, so you’ll have opportunities to observe and work with professionals in the field.       
  • Campus Ensembles: Vermont State has a number of campus groups you can join, including University Chorale, Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony, Woodwind Doubling Ensemble, Vocal Unrest (a cappella ensemble), Jazz Ensemble, and Spartan Spirit Band.

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Sample Courses

  • Foundations of Music Education 
  • Methods of Teaching General Music 
  • Woodwind Teaching Methods 
  • Brass Teaching Methods 
  • Percussion Teaching Methods 
  • Choral Teaching Methods 
  • Instrumental Music Pedagogy and Literacies
View Curriculum

Student Stories

A woman in a cheerleading uniform leans back clutching a trumpet to her mouth in a stadium.

“Music is something that never leaves your heart. Even though I began as a different major, music was always there. I am excited to become a teacher so I can hopefully inspire the next generation to work hard and pursue their dreams as well.”

Carley Patch

Meet Our Faculty

Click into the cards below to view robust directory information for our faculty.

Jump to: Ensembles | Voice | Keyboard | Winds/Brass | Strings | Percussion

Full Time Faculty

Woman smiles at the camera wearing a sparkling blue shirt.
  • Faculty

Sherrill Blodget

She/Her

Chair – Department of Music, Theater, Dance and Technology; Director of Choral Activities; Program Coordinator of Music

  • Castleton Campus

Heid Welch smiling at the camera. She has short brown hair, blue cat-eye glasses, and is wearing a grey sweater vest while holding a conducting baton.
  • Faculty

Heidi Welch

She/Her

Director of Music Education; Director of Spartan Spirit Band

  • Castleton Campus

Charles smiles at the camera in a white shirt and yellow tie and a black suite jacket.
  • Faculty

Charles Madsen

He/Him

Coordinator and Instrcutor of Piano, Music Theory & History

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Joshua Thompson

He/Him

Coordinator of Instrumental Studies and Arts Recruitment; Instructor of Horn and Conducting; Director of Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles

  • Castleton Campus

Ensemble Faculty

In order of appearance, these faculty support the following ensembles: University Chorale and Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, String Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles, and Spirit Band.

Woman smiles at the camera wearing a sparkling blue shirt.
  • Faculty

Sherrill Blodget

She/Her

Chair – Department of Music, Theater, Dance and Technology; Director of Choral Activities; Program Coordinator of Music

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Michael Craner

Director of Jazz Ensemble

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Theresa DeRagon

She/Her

Instructor of Saxophone and Clarinet; Director of Woodwind Doubling Ensemble

  • Castleton Campus

Heid Welch smiling at the camera. She has short brown hair, blue cat-eye glasses, and is wearing a grey sweater vest while holding a conducting baton.
  • Faculty

Heidi Welch

She/Her

Director of Music Education; Director of Spartan Spirit Band

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Joshua Thompson

He/Him

Coordinator of Instrumental Studies and Arts Recruitment; Instructor of Horn and Conducting; Director of Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles

  • Castleton Campus

Voice Faculty

  • Faculty

Lucy Tenenbaum

She/Her

Instructor of Voice

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Beth Thompson

She/Her

Instructor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy

  • Castleton Campus

Keyboard Faculty

Jen smiles at the camera with white short hair and a black shirt.
  • Faculty

Jennifer Cohen

She/Her

Instructor of Piano

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Karen James

She/Her

Instructor of Piano

  • Castleton Campus

Charles smiles at the camera in a white shirt and yellow tie and a black suite jacket.
  • Faculty

Charles Madsen

He/Him

Coordinator and Instrcutor of Piano, Music Theory & History

  • Castleton Campus

Winds and Brass Faculty

  • Faculty

Theresa DeRagon

She/Her

Instructor of Saxophone and Clarinet; Director of Woodwind Doubling Ensemble

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Glenn Giles

He/Him

Professor of World Music, CNX, and Conducting; Instructor of Trombone/Tuba

  • Castleton Campus

Man in a navy suite and grey tie smiles at the camera.
  • Faculty

Glendon Ingalls

He/Him

Instructor of Trumpet, String Bass, Electric Bass

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Joshua Thompson

He/Him

Coordinator of Instrumental Studies and Arts Recruitment; Instructor of Horn and Conducting; Director of Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles

  • Castleton Campus

Strings Faculty

Man in a navy suite and grey tie smiles at the camera.
  • Faculty

Glendon Ingalls

He/Him

Instructor of Trumpet, String Bass, Electric Bass

  • Castleton Campus

Percussion Faculty

Man with drum sticks looks away from the camera a painted wall in the background
  • Faculty

Darryl Kniffen

He/Him

Instructor of Percussion

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Philip Lamy

Other: Dr.

Professor, Instructor of Percussion

  • Castleton Campus

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