Significant Developments in Choral Music Education in Higher Education Between 1950-1980
The years between 1950 and 1980 were a time of unprecedented growth in American higher education. Beginning in the late fifties and continuing through the early seventies, college enrollments rapidly expanded throughout the U. S. This period was characterized by a proliferation of new academic programs and a demand for expanded postbaccalaureate degrees. Concurrent with the rapid expansion in higher education was the emergence of the DMA degree in conducting and the rapid acceptance of related degree programs. This study concentrates on the impact of the DMA on choral music education, suggests that the primary leadership for training choral music teachers has shifted from small liberal arts colleges to large state and private universities granting postbaccalaureate degrees, and examines the implications of this movement for the future.