Course Schedules & Registration

First-Year Student Cohort 2026

GMU601 Music Theory Review (1 cr.)*
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: June 29–July 31, 2026; 8:15–10:15 a.m.
*Course meets in person, on-campus only.
*Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.
*Class does not meet on Friday July 3, 2026
*Review course only required of those degree students who do not pass the Music Theory Diagnostic Exam

GMU602 Music History Review | ONLINE REVIEW COURSE (1 cr.)*
Review course only required of those degree students who do not pass the Music History Diagnostic Exam. The diagnostic exam is administered online during the fall semester following a student's first summer of study in the degree program. The review course takes place exclusively online in an asynchronous format during the spring semester.

GMU624 Learning and Assessment (2 cr.)
Online: June 8– June 28, 2026 (asynchronous)
On-Campus: Tuesdays, Thursdays, June 29–July 31, 2026; 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

GMU616 Techniques of Conducting (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (3 weeks asynchronous online)
Continuation On Campus: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
June 29–July 31, 2026; 2:25–3:45 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.
No class Friday, July 3.

GMU620 Lab Ensemble (1 cr.)*
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
(M, W; Instrumental Lab Band | T, TH Choral Lab Ensemble | F; General Music Activity)
All students in the MMED program attend all disciplines of the Lab Ensemble, and will attend this ensemble class every day, regardless of their specific teaching discipline or major instrument.
June 29–July 31, 2026; 1–2:15 p.m.
*Course meets in person, on-campus only.
*Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026
*Class does not meet Friday July 3, 2026.

GMU622 Foundations of Music Education (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (3 weeks asynchronous online)
Continuation On Campus: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays,
June 29–July 31, 2025; 10:20 a.m.–12 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.
Class does not meet Friday July 3, 2026.

Second-Year Student Cohort 2026

GMU610 Analytical Techniques ( 2cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (asynchronous)
On-Campus: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, June 29–July 31, 2026; 8:20–10:10 a.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

GMU620 Lab Ensemble (1 cr.)*
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
(M, W; Instrumental Lab Band | T, TH Choral Lab Ensemble | F; General Music Activity)
June 29–July 31, 2026; 1–2:15 p.m.
*Course meets on-campus only.
*Class does not meet during the week of July 13 - 17, 2026.

GMU614 Non-Western Music (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026  (3 weeks asynchronous online)
Continuation On Campus: Tuesdays, Thursdays: June 29–July 31, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.
No classes Thursday, July 4, 2024.

GMU628 Supervision and Administration (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (asynchronous)
On-Campus: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, June 29–July 31, 2026; 10:20 a.m.–12 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

Third-Year Student Cohort 2026

GMU612 Western Music (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (asynchronous)
On-Campus: Tuesdays, Thursdays, June 29–July 31, 2026; 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

GMU620 Lab Ensemble (1 cr.)*
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
(M, W; Instrumental Lab Band | T, TH Choral Lab Ensemble | F; General Music Activity)
June 29–July 31, 2026; 1–2:15 p.m.
*Course meets on-campus only.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

GMU626 Curriculum Development in Music Education (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (asynchronous)
On-Campus: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, June 29–July 31, 2026; 8:20–10:10 a.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 8–12, 2024.

GMU630 Introduction to Research (2 cr.)
Online: June 8–June 28, 2026 (asynchronous)
On-Campus: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, June 29–July 31, 2026; 10:20 a.m.–12 p.m.
Class does not meet during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

Summer 2026 Electives (Some Restrictions Apply)

GMU618A Conducting Seminar: Instrumental (2cr.)
Limited to a maximum of 3 students, who in addition to seminar study with faculty, will also rotate conducting and leading the Lab Band Ensemble rehearsals on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Prerequisite: GMU616 Techniques of Conducting (unless waived) and permission of the instructor.

GMU618B Conducting Seminar: Choral (2cr.)
Limited to a maximum of 3 students, who in addition to seminar study with faculty, will also rotate conducting and leading the Lab Chorus Ensemble rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Prerequisite: GMU616 Techniques of Conducting (unless waived) and permission of the instructor.

GMU619 General Music Seminar (2cr.)
Limited to a maximum of 3 students, who in addition to seminar study with faculty will also rotate leading the General Music Lab activities on Fridays.
Prerequisite: GMU614 Non-Western Music and permission of the instructor.

GMU5__Workshops (1.5 - 3 cr.)
During the week of July 13 - 17, 2026, major classes suspend for a week of optional professional development workshops, designed to provide a variety of elective credit opportunities for degree-seeking students and professional development opportunities for all music educators at any stage in their professional careers. Topics and clinicians vary every summer.

Courses Offered Outside of the Summer Term

GMU682 Field-Based Teaching Experience (3 cr.)
Independent teaching practicum capstone project carried out in student's own classroom during the academic year. Includes curriculum development, goal setting, mentoring, measuring student outcomes, journaling and portfolio building. Prerequisite: Completion of second or third summer of coursework.

GMU671 MMEA All-State Conference (1 cr.)
The Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-Sate Conference is held annually in Boston each March. Conference attendees may earn one graduate credit for conference participation (which fulfills elective requirements for degree students). Contact hour documentation, proof of attendance and summary paper required.

GMU5__  Fall & Winter Weekend Intensive Workshops (1 cr.)
Over one weekend in the fall semester, and one in the winter, Gordon College offers one (1) credit workshops that take place over a Friday night, 4:30–8:30 p.m. and a Saturday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Topics and clinicians vary each year. Credits earned for these programs can satisfy elective requirements for the Master of Music Education Program.

Applied Music (1 cr.)
Students enrolled in the Master of Music Education degree program may study applied music lessons for graduate credit during the academic year. Up to 4 hours of applied credit may be used towards the degree as electives. Lessons are arranged individually with the instructor, and an audition may be required.

Music Ensembles (1 cr.)
Students enrolled in the Master of Music Education degree program may participate in the College's performing ensembles for credit. Ensemble opportunities include the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra. Minimum rehearsal and performance attendance expectations must be met.

Spring & Summer Semester 2026

GMU555 World Music (2) *ONLINE
This is an asynchronous online course administered in partnership with the Acadeum Course Share Platform. Course delivery and participation takes place through UMASS Global's online learning platform.  Registration is handled by Gordon College.
March 9 - May 3, 2026

GMU566 Music Ed II/Secondary Methods (3) HYBRID
June 8 - 28;  Online Asynchronous
June 29 - July 10: On Campus IN PERSON M/W 8:20 - 10:10 am; Fridays Zoom 9 - 10:00 am
July 13 - 17; Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop courses for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON M/W 8:20 - 10:10 am; Fridays Zoom 9 - 10:00 am

GMU557 Choral Methods and Literature (3) HYBRID
*Co Requisite GMU620 Choral Lab Ensemble
June 8 - 28; Online Asynchronous
June 29 - July 10:  Zoom class meetings T/TH 10:00 - 11:00 am; optional zoom office hours 9 - 10 am, by appointment
July 13 - 17: Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop courses for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON T/TH 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Friday July 31: Choral Lab Ensemble Concert 1:00 pm (Mandatory)

*GMU620 Choral Lab Ensemble (required for Choral Methods & Literature students)
June 29 - July 10: On Campus IN PERSON, T/TH 1:00 - 2:15 pm
July 13 - 17: Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop courses for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON, T/TH 1:00 - 2:15 pm
Friday July 31: Choral Lab Ensemble Concert 1:00 pm (Mandatory)

GMU544 Brass Methods Class (1)
June 29  - July 10: On Campus IN PERSON, M/W 10:20 am - 11:30 am
July 13 - 17: Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop courses for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON, M/W 10:20 am - 11:30 am

GMU546 Percussion Methods Class (1)
June 29 - July 10: On Campus IN PERSON, T/TH 11:10 am - 12:15 pm
July 13 - 17: Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop course for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON, T/TH 11:10 am - 12:15 pm

GMU547 Guitar Methods Class (1)
June 19 - July 10: On Campus IN PERSON, T/TH 2:30 - 3:40 pm
July 13 - 17: Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop courses for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON T/TH 2:30 - 3:40 pm

GMU550 Conducting (2)
June 8 - 28: Online Asynchronous
June 29 - July 10: On Campus IN PERSON, M/T/W/R/F 2:25 - 3:50 pm
July 13 - 17: Class DOES NOT MEET - optional workshop courses for music educators
July 20 - July 31: On Campus IN PERSON, M/T/W/R/F 2:25 - 3:50 pm

2026 Summer Workshop Week for Music Educators

Optional Music Educator Professional Development Workshop programming takes place July 13–17, 2026. Registration is open to any and all music educators and graduate students at any stage in their career or education. Registration options include the opportunity to earn graduate credit, which can be applied toward future Master's Degree program elective requirements.

Learn more about the 2026 workshop topics, clinicians, and program schedules.