Melodic Mastery: Florida College Music Education Fosters Talented Educators

September 2, 2024 | 2-3 min read

The 2024-2025 school year marks the 10th anniversary of the music education degree at Florida College. As one of two degree offerings of FC’s Music and Fine Arts Department, the Bachelor of Science in Music Education allows students to graduate certified to teach in any Florida school. Since its first graduates crossed the stage in 2014, the program has educated several young men and women now teaching at public and private schools nationwide.

“Our program is unique because students receive one-on-one attention from faculty and learn in a more focused environment, understand concepts more deeply and ask questions more freely,” said Molly Taylor, music education faculty member.

The comprehensive program includes a general education core, Bible classes, and a music core consisting of music theory, music history, music technology, conducting, ensembles, and private instrument or voice lessons. Course content also caters to the mission of the school, training students to be strong leaders in their congregations as well as their careers. Class conversations are designed to challenge students while growing their faith, with topics including music’s role in culture, politics, gender and film.

“We talk about larger issues people may otherwise shy away from and bring it into application, since music is so widely known and accepted,” Taylor said. “We make practical application of what God has given us in this gift of music.”

Students also have the opportunity to put newly developed skills into practice with pre-internship field experiences in schools that culminate in a semester-long internship. Music education graduates leave prepared to meet state certification requirements for teaching music at all levels in schools.

Music majors also have ample performance opportunities, from chorus recitals to participation in a number of ensembles including Friends, Unplugged and FC Accents, which performs acapella jazz and pop. Groups travel throughout the community and FC Camps, with the chorus also is slated for a Central European tour of Budapest, Vienna and Prague in 2025.

Experience a taste of our music department by watching the department video here. For more information about our music education degree, click here.