Music Teacher Training in Montenegro

I. Background / Organisation

Music teacher training in Montenegro takes place at the Academy of Music at Cetinje (University of Montenegro) in the frame of the study program General Music Teaching (Opšta muzička pedagogija). Basic information about the programme is available at the websites: http://www.ucg.cg.ac.yu/cg/muzicka.htm, http://www.brucos.cg.yu/ucg/fakulteti/akademije/muzicka/opsta.htm

The Music teacher training program (Bachelor’s degree) lasts 4 years (8 semesters, 3000 hours, 240 ECTS). At the end of the study graduates are prepared for

· teaching music in primary schools,

· teaching music in secondary-schools,

· teaching solfeggio in music schools,

· teaching optional subjects on the music teacher training program (7th and 8th grade).

Every year four students can start on music teacher training. At the end of the study they reach the title professor of music. It is also possible to continue studies at Master’s level (1 year, 2 semesters, 60 ECTS).

Competence for teaching music in the first three classes of primary school (pupils aged 6- 8) relates to graduates on the class teaching program (general teachers, Bachelors degree). It is carried out at the Faculty of Philosophy (Department of Pedagogical Studies) at Nikšić (University of Montenegro). Class teaching program lasts 4 years (8 semesters, 240 ECTS). Every year 50 students enter to the class teaching program. The title of their qualification at the end of the studies is professor of class teaching.

II. Curriculum

The Music teacher training course (Bachelor) lasts 4 years (8 semesters, 120 weeks). In each of the four years, students must acquire 60 credit points. The following information relates on the study program for the academic year 2007/08 and is a general description of the study program. The curriculum content of the music teacher training course is presented in table 1. The proportion of ECTS between general subject fields is presented in graph 1.

Subject field	Fields	Obligatory	Optional
Artistic subjects	Choral conducting with score playing, Choir with vocal technique, Piano	X
Artistic subjects	Choral conducting with score playing (7th. and 8th semesters)		X
Music theory and history	Counterpoint, Harmony with analysis, Music forms, Stylistic Analysis, Solfeggio, Arranging, Music history, Montenegro music, Musical Technology	X
Music theory and history	Musical forms, Solfeggio, Music history, Counterpoint, Harmony with analysis (7th and 8th semesters), Montenegro music (7th and 8th semesters)		X
Pedagogical subjects	Pedagogy, Psychology, Methods of general music teaching within pedagogical practice, Methods of teaching solfeggio within pedagogical practice, Methodology of scientific research	X
Pedagogical subjects	Methods of general music teaching with pedagogical practice (7th. and 8th semesters)		X
Other subjects	English

Table 1: Curriculum content of the music teacher training course at the Academy of Music at Cetinje (University of Montenegro)

Students must choose one of the optional subjects in the fourth year (7th and 8th semesters) of study. This subject indicates the specialist route that the student will take. After the student's decision, the other proposed optional subjects take the role of obligatory subjects.

Graph 1: Proportions of credit points between general subject fields

The class teacher course (Bachelor) last 4 years (8 semesters; 120 weeks). In each of the four years, students must acquire 60 credit points. The class teacher curriculum consists of a range of pedagogic subjects, special didactics and technical-theoretical subjects. Musical subjects are presented in table 2.

Musical Subjects	Obligatory	Optional
Basis of music theory and culture	X
Vocal-instrumental lessons	X
Methods of musical culture I	X
Methods of musical culture II	X

Table 2: Musical subjects in the class teacher curriculum (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Montenegro)

Graph 2: Proportions of credit points between subject fields on the class teacher course

III. Learning and Teaching Approaches

Montenegro is a young independent country and existing teaching and learning approaches are based on the Serbian model of Music teacher training. Teaching and learning approaches arise from the nature and content of specific subjects (lectures, seminars, smaller group work, individual work, and pedagogical practise). The Montenegro Educational Reform Project (ERP) stimulates use of new teaching strategies and learning approaches inside the music teacher training program. Modern teaching technology is included more and more. The subject Musical Technology is a part of the music teacher training program (Academy of Music, Cetinje). The class teachers program includes subject Technical with information technology and subject Contemporary teaching technology (Faculty of Philosophy, Nikšić).

IV. Assessment / Examination

Candidates for Montenegro music teacher training must pass an entrance examination. Those, who come from secondary music schools, must pass an examination in:

· solfeggio,

· harmony,

· music forms,

· piano.

In addition, others are examined in:

· counterpoint,

· music history.

Student's study progress is assessed in all four grades by exams and the study includes a final examination. When they have completed their course, a music teacher and a class teacher has the status of a trainee. Traineeship lasts one year. Once the traineeship has been successfully concluded the future music teacher takes a professional examination in front of the commission. After that examination the trainee is considered to be fully competent to work in the field of education and training.

V. Current and Future Challenges

The existing Music teacher training program has accreditation and its form is in accordance with the ECTS system. The Bologna process is influencing developments and changes are expected very soon.

Top