Resume:
In addition to the audition on their principal instrument or voice, incoming students interested in Music Education must supply a resume as part of the application process in their MyMountaineer portal. A Word document or a PDF may be submitted.
- If you are currently an App State student applying for the Music Education degree program, please email your documents to processing@appstate.edu.
Your resume should be one page, outlining (1) your school(s), (2) musical experiences, and (3) teaching/leadership experiences, and (4) names and contact information for two references.
- For school(s): List your school(s), start with current high school or college and work backward to any other high schools, and the townships where the school(s) is(are) located.
- For musical experiences: We value a wide range of musical experiences, whether formal or informal, traditional or community-based. This might include in-school ensembles and extracurricular musical experiences, e.g., private lessons, summer programs like Cannon Music Camp, community-based ensembles, district or All-State ensemble, Governors School, etc.
- For teaching/leadership experiences: We value a wide range of teaching and/or leadership experiences, whether formal or informal, traditional or community-based. This can include peer teaching/leadership opportunities like section leadership or drum major, jobs you have or currently hold, leading informal or formal ensembles, teaching private lessons, or anything else that shows you are ready to pursue a demanding and rewarding career as a music teacher.
- For References: include the name, position, phone number, and email address for a music teacher and for another non-related adult who agrees to serve as a reference and who can speak to your interest and potential to teach music in K-12 school settings.
Please name your file as:
- HSOM-FirstLastName.BME.Resume.docx (Word file format) or HSOM-FirstLastName.BME.Resume.pdf (PDF file format). For example, HSOM-JayJohnson.BME.Resume.docx (Word file format)
Here is a sample resume for your reference, and a resume template with more examples of what information to include.
Interview:
On your audition day, you will also attend a music education interview - a conversation with two music education faculty members that lasts about 15 minutes. Be prepared to tell us about yourself, including your current GPA and interest in academic studies, and ways your experiences have inspired you to pursue a career as a music teacher. Be prepared to ask questions about the music education degree program at Appalachian State University.
We’re looking for your genuine reasons for wanting to teach music. There are many paths into this field, and we want to hear yours. Here are the questions that we will ask during your 15-minute interview:
- Why do you love music and what experiences have led you to want to teach music?
- Why do you want to teach music and what do you hope students will learn from your teaching?
- What grade levels are you currently interested in teaching?
- What teaching/leadership experiences have you had? (section leader, field commander, teaching intern, etc.)
- What questions do you have for us?
Uncertain how to prepare for this type of interview? Consider the following suggestions:
- Talk with your music teachers about the process of selecting a college music education program and preparing for a music education career. What do they feel is most important? What questions did they wish they had asked when selecting a college?
- Think about how past leadership experiences in an educational setting have influenced your desire to teach.
- Educate yourself about the professional organizations for music educators such as:
- NAfME (the National Association for Music Educators). NAfME offers professional development and advocates for ALL music educators – band, choir, orchestra, and general music.
- NCMEA (the North Carolina Music Educators Association). NCMEA (or your own states’ MEA) is NAfME’s state level affiliate.
- ACDA (the American Choral Directors Association).
- ASTA (the American String Teachers Association).
- NBA (the National Band Association).
(updated August 2025)