Program Overview
Wichita State's Bachelor of Music Education in instrumental music combines professional training, hands-on teaching experience, and performance opportunities. Led by innovative faculty like Dr. David Hunsicker, students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become successful music educators. Through general education, music performance, theory, history, and applied learning in schools, the program equips students with a comprehensive foundation for teaching music in grades K-12.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Wichita State’s Bachelor of Music Education (BME)—instrumental—combines professional training with experienced music educators, real-world teaching experience in local schools, and virtually countless opportunities to perform, in venues big and small, on campus and throughout Kansas’ center of arts and culture. David Hunsicker is not only a longtime musician. The associate professor of trumpet is also an inventor and business owner. Hunsicker partnered with WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research and WSU Ventures to create the Gapper, a flexible plastic device that allows musicians to control the third valve slide. Hunsicker says the ring on the third valve slide tends to be too big for musicians with smaller hands. The gap between the finger and the ring causes a delay in moving the slide, which results in a missed note. The Gapper fixes that problem.
Careers:
Thanks to WSU’s extensive network of employer connections, students in every major have opportunities to gain real-world experience—helping them build a resume, make professional connections and land their dream jobs.
Other:
The instrumental curriculum is divided into general education, music performance, music theory and history, and music education—including applied learning in K-12 classrooms—equipping you with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to start your successful teaching career.
