<p>So, I’m currently a student at a reputable Music-Ed school in my state. I’m studying vocal music education, and whenever I think of the future, I see myself teaching high school choir. I’m not exactly good at much else than music. I love contemporary choral styles (i.e. show choirs, jazz ensembles, stuff like that) but my school focuses on classical singing and classical techniques. All vocal music students are required to take private (classical) voice lessons every semester they’re in the program, which involves memorizing 6 classical solo repertoire pieces per semester (for a total of 48 pieces for those like me who are bad at math). I understand the importance of classical music, but I personally cannot stand it. I can sit through a chamber choir performance (and I’m in my school’s top chamber choir) but I won’t do it willingly. I’m only in the chamber choir because it’s also required that all vocal students audition for at least one vocal ensemble per semester, and I got into ours. My point is that I’m looking to transfer to a school that has a focus on contemporary music. Like I said, I understand why classical music is important even to contemporary singers, and private voice lessons are making me a better singer, but I don’t think I can survive the rest of my college career if I have to deal with so much classical music. I want to go to a school that not necessarily focuses on contemporary music, but doesn’t require so much classical music. If anyone can help it would be GREATLY appreciated.</p>
<p>Why not have a choral emphasis in your music education degree instead of a vocal emphasis? Someplace like Jacobs at IU that has a popular show choir?? They offer a bachelor of Music Education/General Music Teaching and it can involve participation in a show choir as part of your ensemble work.</p>
<p>The only hitch might be that if you are OOS, it could get expensive.</p>
<p>I’m not sure there is much difference, if any, between vocal and choral music ed. They are usually one and the same. But you could transfer to a school that has a great show choir for you to participate in and learn from. However, most good vocal music ed. programs are going to emphasize classical music - but you should also get experience in all genres. If your plan is to be a choral director in a school, you will need to teach all types of music, NOT just pop music. In fact, most schools would look down on you as a music teacher if you only taught your students pop music. It would be like a school only having a jazz band, with no concert band. However, musicamusica has a point. There are schools that have fantastic show choirs or vocal jazz programs - which I think you would enjoy - while still doing a great job in teaching you vocal music ed. But if you ONLY want to do contemporary music and be a school teacher, I think you may be out of luck. And personally, I would not be happy if my children’s school hired someone who only taught contemporary music to the choir.</p>
<p>Ditto what saxlady says. As a high school choral teacher, you would be expected to help students with their solo competition pieces (e.g. NYSSMA in New York State), and prepare students chosen for All-Counties, All-State, etc., all of which would require from you a solid background in classical/serious vocal and choral literature/technique.</p>