Music Education: Marching Arts, Minor
The Minor in Music for Education: Marching Arts minor is designed to support students interested in the marching arts (marching band, winter guard, indoor drumline, etc.) and to provide a competitive edge in the form of a credential for those interested in working with ensembles professionally or as volunteers. The flexible minor allows the student to tailor their interest towards developing skills in drill writing, movement fundamentals, marching band pedagogy, winter guard, color guard, and teaching woodwinds, brass, and/or percussion.
The minor also allows students majoring in education (elementary, middle-level, secondary, etc.) an opportunity to stack credentials, providing a competitive edge for supplemental teaching opportunities in their local districts.
To access Minor Requirements, please view the Curriculum Guide tab.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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PO1: Performance and Musicianship: Students will demonstrate technical and expressive performance skills on a primary or secondary instrument or voice, applying musical concepts such as tone, rhythm, blend, and intonation in marching and pageantry settings. (UO1, UO5, UO6)
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PO2: Pedagogical and Instructional Design Skills: Students will apply pedagogical methods, rehearsal strategies, and developmental learning principles to design and implement instruction for marching bands, color guards, and related ensembles. (UO2, UO5, UO7)
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PO3: Leadership, Collaboration, and Program Development: Students will exhibit leadership, teamwork, and communication skills essential to effective ensemble direction and administration, including drill design, student motivation, and program management. (UO1, UO5, UO7, UO8)
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PO4: Diversity, Health, and Inclusivity in the Marching Arts: Students will demonstrate awareness of health, wellness, diversity, and cultural responsiveness in the marching arts, incorporating inclusive and equitable practices into teaching, performance, and repertoire selection. (UO5, UO8, UO9)
Related Links
CURRICULUM GUIDE
GPA REQUIREMENT
Minor GPA: 2.00 or higher
MINOR REQUIREMENTS
- Students must complete at least 9 credit hours of MUSI in their minor from SRU.
- Students must complete at least 6 credit hours in their minor from SRU.
- A minimum of 6 credit hours must be upper division (courses numbered 300 and above).
- A minor shall be no fewer than 18 credits.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in all coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Foundations of Music Coursework | ||
| MUSI 151 | Music Theory and Musicking I | 2 |
| MUSI 154 | Musicianship Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 203 | Musician's Health | 1 |
| MUSI 204 | Art and Science of Performing | 1 |
| MUSI 253 | Music Theory and Analysis II | 2 |
| MUSI 256 | Musicianship Skills II | 1 |
| Required Foundations of Music Education Coursework | ||
| MUSI 111 | Introduction to Music Education & Field Experience I | 3 |
| MUSI 300 | Marching Band Techniques | 2 |
| MUSI 357 | Music Education for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Performance Study | ||
| Select 2 credits from the following: | 2 | |
| Class Piano I | ||
| Class Piano II | ||
| Class Voice & Diction | ||
| Functional Voice Skills | ||
| Applied Piano | ||
or MUSI 279 | Applied Piano | |
or MUSI 379 | Applied Piano | |
or MUSI 479 | Applied Piano | |
or MUSI 166 | Applied Performance Piano | |
or MUSI 266 | Applied Performance Piano | |
or MUSI 366 | Applied Performance Piano | |
or MUSI 466 | Applied Performance Piano | |
| Applied Voice | ||
or MUSI 281 | Applied Voice | |
or MUSI 381 | Applied Voice | |
or MUSI 481 | Applied Voice | |
or MUSI 165 | Applied Performance Voice | |
or MUSI 265 | Applied Performance Voice | |
or MUSI 365 | Applied Performance Voice | |
or MUSI 465 | Applied Performance Voice | |
| Applied Strings | ||
or MUSI 282 | Applied Strings | |
or MUSI 382 | Applied Strings | |
or MUSI 482 | Applied Strings | |
or MUSI 167 | Applied Performance Strings | |
or MUSI 267 | Applied Performance Strings | |
or MUSI 367 | Applied Performance Strings | |
or MUSI 467 | Applied Performance Strings | |
| Applied Brass | ||
or MUSI 283 | Applied Brass | |
or MUSI 383 | Applied Brass | |
or MUSI 483 | Applied Brass | |
or MUSI 169 | Applied Performance Brass | |
or MUSI 269 | Applied Performance Brass | |
or MUSI 369 | Applied Performance Brass | |
or MUSI 469 | Applied Performance Brass | |
| Applied Woodwinds | ||
or MUSI 284 | Applied Woodwinds | |
or MUSI 384 | Applied Woodwinds | |
or MUSI 484 | Applied Woodwinds | |
or MUSI 168 | Applied Performance Woodwind | |
or MUSI 268 | Applied Performance | |
or MUSI 368 | Applied Performance | |
or MUSI 468 | Applied Performance | |
| Applied Percussion | ||
or MUSI 285 | Applied Percussion | |
or MUSI 385 | Applied Percussion | |
or MUSI 485 | Applied Percussion | |
or MUSI 170 | Applied Performance Percussion | |
or MUSI 270 | Applied Performance Percussion | |
or MUSI 370 | Applied Performance | |
or MUSI 470 | Applied Performance | |
| Integrated Musicking Across Contexts I | ||
| Class Piano III | ||
| Class Piano IV | ||
| Integrated Musicking Across Contexts II | ||
| Marching Pride | ||
| Ensembles | ||
| Select 3 credits of 100–300 level | 3 | |
MUSI 118-318 | Marching Pride | |
MUSI 196-396 | Winter Guard | |
| Music Education Electives | ||
| Select 4 credits to reach 25 total credits for this minor | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Conducting | ||
| Brass Techniques | ||
or MUSI 197 | Introduction to Wind Instruments | |
| Woodwind Techniques | ||
or MUSI 197 | Introduction to Wind Instruments | |
| Percussion Techniques | ||
| Instrumental Methods | ||
| Advanced Conducting | ||
| Social Emotional Learning in Music Education | ||
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Wind Band Literature | ||
| Total Hours | 25 | |
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Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
MINOR IN MUSIC FOR EDUCATION: MARCHING ARTS (56C)
Effective: Fall 2025
Revised 06.11.2026
UCC 04.28.2026