<html dir="ltr">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<style type="text/css" id="owaParaStyle"></style>
</head>
<body fpstyle="1" ocsi="0">
<div style="direction: ltr;font-family: Tahoma;color: #000000;font-size: 10pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Dear Elementary Music Colleagues,<br>
<br>
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Music presents an exciting option for elementary music teachers who want to earn a Master of Music with emphasis in Music Education: the
<b>TAMU-C Music Education Cohort</b>! Participants earn their graduate degree in four consecutive summers while still working full-time.<br>
<br>
This 30-hour, summers-only program was the first of its kind in North Texas. It was created specifically for full-time elementary music teachers. Students will be challenged to develop a greater understanding and mastery of the music teaching-learning processes,
to improve personal musicianship, and to become leaders within the music education profession.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> <br>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The program offers a combination of coursework in music education (pedagogy, movement, elementary classroom instruments, conducting), music history, research, philosophy, theory, and performance study.
Students also complete an independent study project on a subject of their choice within the realm of elementary music. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Features of the program:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">All classes are held during the month of June—Summer I term.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">No GRE Exam</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> is required for admittance into the program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">No diagnostic entrance exams in theory or history</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> are required. All cohort students will take “Introduction to Graduate Study” as a
refresher course as part of the degree.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If you have taken levels courses (such as Kodály or Orff Schulwerk levels) you may be able to substitute your work for the Pedagogy and Movement classes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">You can earn up to 45 CPE hours for each methods class you take.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">All face-to-face classes will be held at the new, beautiful Mesquite Metroplex Center in Mesquite, Texas.
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;">
<a href="https://new.tamuc.edu/mesquite-metroplex-center/" style="color: blue;">https://new.tamuc.edu/mesquite-metroplex-center/</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This third cohort features blended courses and an entirely virtual option for some of the courses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If you have a particular conflict, it may be possible for us to work around it. Do not hesitate to ask!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What is a cohort?<br>
</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A cohort program is a fully planned curriculum with a specified starting and ending date. Students are admitted to the program as a group that moves through the program together, taking courses in
a planned sequence. Students will graduate together in August.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br>
<b>What are the advantages?<br>
</b>1. Because the program is fully scheduled from the outset, students find it easier to plan ahead and better manage their schedules between work, home, and study.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2. In most degree programs, there are only a few courses that must be taken in a particular order. While this gives students flexibility, it also means that students in any given course will be at different stages
in the learning process. In a cohort program, faculty members know exactly what courses students in the cohort have taken and in what order. Therefore, the curriculum in a cohort program is more cohesive with stronger links between courses.<br>
<br>
3. Most graduate students are full-time music teachers who are studying part-time while working and fulfilling family responsibilities. Sometimes it is difficult for such students to feel as though they are a part of the university's community. However, a
cohort provides a strong sense of belonging, and creates a network of support that is invaluable long after the participants complete the program.<br>
<br>
4. Because this is a summers-only program, students will be able to assimilate their new learning during the interposing academic years.<i> <b><br>
<br>
</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Our first cohort of Masters students graduated in 2015, the second cohort graduated in 2019, and the third group started last summer. This is the last opportunity to apply for the third cohort. The next opportunity
to apply will be when the fourth cohort begins the summer of 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">SPECIAL NOTE: If you would like to join the third cohort this summer, these are the classes you will take:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Summer 2022<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 531 Elementary Pedagogy I, grades K-2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 531 Movement in the Elementary Classroom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 550 Seminar in Music Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Fall 2022<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 520 Introduction to Graduate Study (Tuesday evenings, virtual)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">(This course is a prerequisite for graduate-level history and theory classes, so it must be taken before Summer 2023.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Summer 2023<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 531 Elementary Pedagogy II, grades 3-5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 552 Music History TBD<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 532 Graduate Theory Seminar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 531 Movement for the Music Educator <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Summer 2024<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 523 Music History TBD <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 526 Methods and Literature for Elementary Choirs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 589 Independent Study in Music Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Summer 2025<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 552 Graduate Applied Voice Class<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">MUS 595 Research in Music Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Our affordable tuition rates can be found in the Admissions page of the website:
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;">
<a href="https://new.tamuc.edu/admissions/" style="color: blue;">https://new.tamuc.edu/admissions/</a></span> Prospective students are encouraged to seek out the scholarship opportunities that can be found in the FINANCIAL AID section on the same page.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria, serif;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Current students are working professionals, just like you, who are passionate about teaching with excellence.
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Classes are very active—singing, dancing, playing instruments, composing, researching.
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">You will leave overflowing with ideas to use with your students, new skills, and a renewed sense of the importance of what you do.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br>
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I am looking forward to hearing from you!<br>
<br>
Sincerely,</span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br>
<div><br>
<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px"><font face="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt"><font face="Tahoma"><b>Darla Meek, MM</b> |
<b>Lecturer and Music Education Coordinator<br>
</b>Department of Music | Texas A&M University-Commerce<font color="#0000FF"><u><br>
</u></font>PO Box 3011 | Commerce, TX 75429<br>
Tel. 903.886.5294 | Fax 903.468.6010 | </font><br>
</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12pt"><br>
<b><font face="serif">THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM</font><br>
</b></span></font><br>
<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>