The University of Wisconsin-Superior now offers the Music 515 Add-On Licensure for teaching general music in the schools levels pre-K through age 21.

Music educators can obtain the license by taking courses and completing the additional requirements for the license through UW-Superior's Department of Music. The license is desirable for post-baccalaureate music educators and undergraduate music education students who seek certification in teaching general music.

"Most school districts are now requiring the license for music educators who hope to teach general music in the schools along with holding positions that require degrees in instrumental and choral conducting," said Dr. Lois Guderian, music education coordinator at UW-Superior.

Teaching general music

General music is the comprehensive development of musical skills and understanding in people. It includes learning to sing and play classroom instruments; how to read, analyze and evaluate music; and how to improvise and compose music. It includes these activities under the development of students' understanding of music's role in history, culture and the other arts and subjects.

Music education in the schools is designed to address musical development in all students regardless of their socioeconomic and social backgrounds or musical preferences as nurtured in their home environments. The emphasis is on development of social and personal musical skills and understanding for life-long musical involvement.

Courses needed vary by student

Music teachers seeking the Music 515 license through a University of Wisconsin institution submit their transcript to the university's music education coordinator. The coordinator works with each teacher according to his or her transcripts and prior teaching experience to determine which courses must be completed to earn the license.

Criteria for obtaining the license are set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. UW-Superior began offering the license in May. DPI expressed approval and appreciation that the license is now offered in the northernmost university in the system,  serving the far north communities in Wisconsin.

Also professional development courses

Music education courses offered for the Music 515 licensure at UW-Superior also can be taken as professional development courses for educators who wish to renew a current held license, and for educators who do not need the credit hours.

At UW-Superior, students majoring in choral-general music education automatically obtain the license as part of their degree program. The add-on certificate makes it possible for students in instrumental degree programs to also obtain the licensure before leaving campus.

"Whether they are current UW-Superior students or established music education professionals seeking the license, the Music 515 Licensure not only contributes to music educators' understanding in how to teach general music, it makes them more marketable," Guderian said.