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Welcome to music education

From this page you can learn about our degree programs, faculty, and hear from our students.

The Crane School of Music is home to one of the world's oldest and largest music teacher education programs. In music education, you will join one of Crane's proudest legacies. Crane graduates are successful in finding teaching placements and our alumni hold leadership positions in local school districts and in state and national organizations shaping our nation's musical future.

At Crane, all your classes and field experiences will be taught by fully qualified faculty who care deeply about students and who are committed to your success. Crane faculty possess years of teaching experience and hold degrees from North America's most prestigious universities. Music education faculty are active in the field, authoring books, conducting research, presenting at conferences, and serving as officers in state, national and international organizations.

In the Bachelor of Music Education at Crane, you will prepare for the career of a professional music educator. You will choose one of four specializations, based on an area of teaching in which you wish to focus: band, chorus, orchestra, or general music. You will have a variety of opportunities teaching children, adolescents, and adults, and working with our "public school partners" across the New York State as you prepare for your career. Many students choose to add a concentration or minor in, for example, performance, jazz, special education, or piano pedagogy.

In the Master of Music Education at Crane, you will work with Crane's distinguished faculty to advance your current understanding of music teaching and learning. 

Whether an undergraduate or master's degree student at Crane, you will have the opportunity to engage in a tradition of best practices and innovation in music education. We invite you to learn more about our dynamic and rigorous program and the music education community here at Crane.

"If music holds its place in the public schools, it must meet the demand of the children. What is this demand? It is a demand for the power and the means of expressing themselves."

- Julia Crane, founder of The Crane School of Music

Gianna Magrino '24 talks about her passion for music and the real-world experience she's gaining through the music education program. While teaching music to children in SUNY Potsdam's Childcare Center, she’s been laying the groundwork for her upcoming student teaching placement and career as a music educator.