Teaching others to read and appreciate different types of music, identify and play instruments, and use their voices to create works of art is a gift to the student and to the world.
Music Education
Start your future in music education.
Program Highlights
Opportunity to grow as a musician and educator
The music education degree at Friends University was designed by music educators to develop teachers with the best skills and techniques for teaching music.
Professional Connections
Connect to the professional world of music teaching through involvement in state, regional and national organizations like Kansas Music Educators Association, Kansas Choral Directors Association and the Collegiate chapter of the National Association of Music Education.
Licensed to Teach
Upon successfully passing national teaching exams, those that complete the program are eligible to receive a PK-12 Music teaching license from the state of Kansas.
Passionate Faculty
Music education professors at Friends have extensive public school teaching experience along with diverse education and music backgrounds, all of which contribute to a well-rounded curriculum enjoyed by students.
Opportunities to Grow
Throughout the duration of their studies, students participate in numerous in-the-field experiences to grow as future music educators. From music classroom observations, to teaching internships, students receive real-life opportunities to grow into professional music educators.
Strategic Partnerships
Friends University has built strategic partnerships with each of the six metro-area school districts, allowing our music education majors unique in-the-field experiences in public school music classrooms
Career Services
Helpful career guidance
Concentrations
Focus Areas
Students in the Music Education program have the option to choose a concentration in Instrumental Music Education or Vocal Music Education.
- Instrumental Music EducationStudents in the Instrumental Music Education concentration receive extensive training which prepares them to teach all of the wind, percussion, and string instruments. Students completing this concentration will be prepared to teach concert band, jazz band, marching band, and orchestra at all grade levels. Those that complete the program will be eligible to receive the PK-12 Music license from the Kansas State Department of Education.
- Vocal Music EducationStudents in the Vocal Music Education concentration receive extensive training which prepares them to teach all voice parts from kindergarten through high school. Students completing this concentration will be prepared to teach a variety of choral ensembles including concert choir, chamber choir, and jazz/show choir, as well as elementary general music. Those that complete the program will be eligible to receive the PK-12 Music license from the Kansas State Department of Education.
“I was inspired by the music directors and teachers at Friends University who shaped my talent and gave me the tools I needed to create a classroom environment where students can thrive musically as well as feel safe and included, even during challenging times. Not only am I molding young minds in the realm of music, but I am developing young leaders who are our future change-makers. My motto is: be brave, love others, be seen.”
Panya Amphone, 2020 Graduate, Music Education and Mathematics
“I teach kids important life and academic lessons, and I’m lucky that I’m able to do that through music.”
Danny Darrington, Music Educators
Demonstrating excellence
Program Outcomes
- The teacher education candidate will demonstrate an appropriate level of content and pedagogical knowledge.
- Demonstrate knowledge of content to be taught.
- Demonstrate knowledge of students’ skills, knowledge and prerequisite relationships.
- Demonstrate knowledge of content-related pedagogy.
- Demonstrate the ability to design coherent instruction.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate student learning.
- Provide quality feedback to students and colleagues.
KSDE Standards 1, 2 and 3. KPTP Focus Area A: analysis of Contextual Information
- The teacher education candidate will develop and implement an appropriate learning environment where all students are engaged and on task.
- Recognize and implement factors related to development of a classroom environment of respect and rapport.
- Establish appropriate expectations for learning and achievement.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage common non-instructional duties.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage student behavior appropriately.
- Demonstrate the ability to engage all students in learning.
KSDE Standards 3, 4, 7, 11 and 12. KPTP Focus Area B: Analysis of Learning Environment Factors
- The teacher education candidate will appropriately implement and adapt instruction for diverse learners to ensure all learners meet expectations.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and accurately.
- Demonstrate the ability to use questioning and discussion techniques appropriately.
- Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness toward a diverse population.
- Demonstrate knowledge of age group characteristics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of students’ varied approaches to learning.
- Demonstrate knowledge of students’ interest and cultural heritage.
KSDE Standards 4, 11 and 12. KPTP Focus Area C: Instructional Implementation. KPTP Focus Area D: Analysis of Classroom Environment
- The teacher education candidate will demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors.
- Reflect on teaching and its effect on learners’ performance.
- Maintain accurate records of attendance, lesson completion, and student progress.
- Serve appropriately as student advocate.
- Communicate appropriately with families.
- Maintain cordial relationships with colleagues.
KSDE Standards 5, 6 and 8. KPTP Focus Area E: Analysis of Assessment Procedures. KPTP Focus Area F: Reflection and Self Evaluation
Featured Faculty
Renea Abdallah
- Jazz Bass
- Fine Arts
- B.M. Friends University; M.M. Wichita State University
Neal Allsup
- Jazz, Voice
- Fine Arts
Charleen Ayers
- Voice Performance
- Fine Arts
- B.S., William Jewell College; M.M., Yale University
Laura H. Black
- Violin
- Fine Arts
- Indiana University: University of Michigan
Cindy Blasdel
- Theory, Piano
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Friends Univeristy; M.M. Wichita State University
Dr. Steven Blasdel
- Choral Arranging/Orchestration
- Fine Arts
- B.A., Wichita State University; M.M., Western Seminary; D.W.S., The Institute for Worship Studies
Randy Crow
- Trombone
- Fine Arts
Howard Glanton
- Classical Guitar
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Eastern New Mexico University; M.M., Texas Tech University
John Goering
- Jazz Piano
- Fine Arts
Rolaine Hetherington
- Assistant Professor of Music/Applied; Voice (directs Concert Choir)
- Fine Arts
- B.A., Hendrix College; M.M.Ed., M.M., Louisiana State University
Amy Hoffman
- Flute
- Fine Arts
- B.S., Butler University (Indianapolis)
Anna Jeter
- Organ
- Fine Arts
Christopher Johnson
- Clarinet
- Fine Arts
- B.M.E and M.M., Kansas State University; M.S.E., Fort Hays State University
Denise Kintzel
- French Horn
- Fine Arts
- B.M., B.M.E., M.M.E., Wichita State University
Dr. Jamie Knight
- Assistant Professor of Piano
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Friends University; M.M., D.M.A., Manhattan School of Music
Shawn M. Knopp
- Assistant Professor Music Education & Band Director
- Fine Arts
- M.E., M.M., Kansas State University
Matthew Koehn
- Saxophone, Woodwind Methods
- Fine Arts
Joy Lenau
- Piano
- Fine Arts
Dr. Gary Leopold
- Trumpet
- Fine Arts
- B.A., University of Kansas; M.M., Washington State University; D.M.A., Arizona State University
Jennifer Marcum
- Voice
- Fine Arts
- B.A. John Brown University
Dr. Nathanael May
- Professor of Music; Tim & Gail Buchanan Division Chair of Fine Arts
- Fine Arts
- B.M., University of Wisconsin–Whitewater; M.M. Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester; D.M.A. University of Kansas
Kirsten Moler
- String Bass
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Wichita State University, B.M.E., Wichita State University
Dr. Rayvon T.J. Moore
- Assistant Professor Music, Director: Choral Studies
- Fine Arts
- B.A., University of Southern California M. M. California State University, Fullerton D.M.A. Eastman School of Music
Greg Nickel
- Tuba
- Fine Arts
- Biola University
Canes Nicolas
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Strings; Director of Orchestra
- Fine Arts
Dr. Matthew Schloneger
- Associate Professor of Voice
- Fine Arts
- A.A., Hesston College; B.A., Goshen College; M.M., University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; Ph.D., University of Kansas
Dr. Nicholas Schroeder
- Assistant Professor of Music, Program Director of Jazz
- Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, University of North Texas; Master of Music in Jazz Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Stephanie Shelden
- Cello
- Fine Arts
- B.M. in Cello Performance, B.M. in Vocal Performance; WSU; M.M. University of North Texas
Andrew Slater
- Percussion
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Pittsburg State University; M.M., Wichita State University
Cindy Thompson
- Oboe
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Wichita State University; M.M., University of Akron
Jennifer Wassemiller
- Elem. Educ Methods
- Fine Arts
- B.M. Friends University; M.M. Emporia State University
Kimme Whittemore
- Bassoon
- Fine Arts
- B.A., B.M.E., University of Montana; M.M., Baylor University
Georgeanne Yehling
- Voice
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Oklahoma City University
Randall Zellers
- Jazz Guitar
- Fine Arts
- B.M., Wichita State University; M.M., Wichita State University.