Music Education
Share your love of music with others.
Meredith's major in music education leads to K-12 teacher licensure in music. As a graduate of the program, you'll join others who have gone on to become exceptional teachers throughout North Carolina and across the United States. Methods classes, teaching in Wake County Schools, and opportunities to work with organizations such as the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra prepare you to teach all areas of music at any grade level.
All music students have opportunities to perform in large and small vocal and instrumental ensembles, opera workshop and keyboard ensembles. In addition, Meredith students have access to a vibrant music community, both in the capital city of Raleigh and in the larger Triangle area. Professional music ensembles in the Triangle area include the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera, Triangle Jazz Alliance and the North Carolina Master Chorale.
As a music education major at Meredith, you'll develop a close working relationship with your instructors, who will help you fully develop your musical gifts and guide you through personal academic advising. Meredith is well known for its excellent teacher education programs, and is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Other highlights within the various areas of concentration include:
Keyboard Studies - Piano majors at Meredith have access to some of the finest instruments available, including a practice room and teaching studios with Steinway grands, and a Steinway concert grand for performances. Students perform regularly in studio classes and piano repertoire classes, and piano majors have the opportunity to participate in Octavia, a piano ensemble that performs a wide variety of piano ensemble repertoire. Those interested in organ study have access to excellent instruction, organ practice rooms and two performance organs.
Instrumental Studies - Many of Meredith’s outstanding teachers are members of the N.C. Symphony. Students play in the Meredith Sinfonietta, Meredith Flute Ensemble and, upon invitation, may become members of the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. They also perform in piano repertoire classes and studio classes.
Vocal Studies - In addition to regular opportunities to perform in studio and voice repertoire classes, students sing for professional singers who are invited to Meredith to perform and give master classes. Students also participate in Opera Workshop and are invited to audition for chorus and appropriate roles in productions of the North Carolina Opera.
Choral Ensembles - Students throughout campus are invited to sing in the Meredith Chorus. In addition, they may audition for the Meredith Chorale and for Encore!, an a cappella group. Ensembles participate in concerts, festivals and workshops, and perform frequently for on- and off-campus events. Travel is often a part of ensemble schedules.
Guest Artists - Many of the world’s prominent musical artists include Meredith on their itinerary for master classes or recitals. Pianists we have hosted include Olga Kern, Sergei Babayan, Ann Schein and Walter Hautzig. Teachers have presented workshops, including Maurice Hinson, Marvin Blickenstaff, William Westney, Irene Peery-Fox and Tinka Knopf. Vocal artists and teachers have included Margo Garrett, Grant Youngblood, Marion Pratnicki, Claudia Waite and Arlene Shrut. Well-known composers have included Emma Lou Diemer, Chen Yi, Mary Carol Warwick, ’61, Libby Larsen, Gwyneth Walker and Alice Parker. Music educators have included Carol Krueger, David Frego and Weston Noble.
Methods classes, teaching in Wake County Schools, and opportunities to work with organizations such as the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra prepare students to teach all areas of music at any grade level.
In addition, they have the opportunity to perform in large and small vocal and instrumental ensembles, opera workshop, keyboard ensembles and the annual Concerto/Aria Competition and Concert, whose winners perform as soloists with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. Many students also choose to enrich their experience by studying music overseas.
A degree in music education prepares students for professional success as music teachers as well as graduate study. Recent graduates of Meredith's music program have gone on to become private and public music teachers, both locally and across the country.
Selection for music scholarships is based on musical talent, academic ability, previous performance, commitment to the field of music and potential achievement in the field. Finalists are invited to visit campus by the music faculty, where they audition and interview with faculty. Scholarships are renewable annually for a total of four years and awarded to students intending to major in music.
In addition to these discipline-specific scholarship opportunities, Meredith offers a range of merit and need-based financial assistance. Last year, Meredith coordinated $42.8 million in financial assistance.
Meredith students have the opportunity to study with a variety of accomplished musicians. Our student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and average class size of 17 ensure that students get to know their professors. In turn, our faculty know students by name and, just as important, are familiar with each student’s unique strengths and interests. This allows faculty to identify interesting research and internship opportunities for students, to write meaningful letters of recommendation, and to support students as they grow as musicians and individuals. Full-time music faculty at Meredith include:
- Fran McCachern Page, Ed.D., is head of the Department of Communication and the Performing Arts at Meredith College, where she also serves as coordinator of music education and choral activities. She is a Past-President of the North Carolina Music Educators Association and also served as Pas President of Southern Division MENC: The National Association for Music Education and in that capacity served on the National Executive Board of MENC. She is the founder and conductor of the Capital City Girls Choir, a three-choir organization for community girls from ages nine to eighteen. The choir has a busy performance schedule both in the United States and abroad.
- Kent Lyman, D.M., is the coordinator of piano instruction. Lyman has distinguished himself as a soloist and chamber musician throughout much of the United States, South Korea, China and Brazil. He is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with the Music Teachers National Association, and has held administrative positions on the boards of state chapters of MTNA in South Carolina and North Carolina.
- Anthony Vaglio, Jr., Ph.D., coordinates the beginning and advanced music theory program, teaches composition majors and offers mini-courses in the use of the music notation application Finale.
- Jim Waddelow, D.M.A., is director of instrumental activities. Waddelow conducts the Meredith Sinfonietta and serves as musical director for musical theater productions in the Department of Theater and Dance. Dr. Waddelow is conductor and music director of the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.
- Ellen Williams, D.M., is the coordinator of vocal studies at Meredith. She has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and has appeared locally with the Winston-Salem, Greensboro and North Carolina symphonies. Williams was named a 2003 Regional Artist by the United Arts Council of Wake County.
In addition to these strong fulltime faculty, Meredith College’s music program features additional outstanding artist/teachers in violin, cello, flute, harp, clarinet, piano, organ, French horn, guitar and voice. To view a complete list of these faculty, please click here.
For more detailed information about the music education major, please go to the program website.
For information about other majors at Meredith, return to the Admissions majors page.
