Research Interests
Music EducationMusic Service Learning
Opportunities
Work Study Positions Available: No
Grant Funded Positions Available: No
Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: No
Volunteer Research Positions Available: No
Biography
Dr. Marci Major serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair of Music Education and Music Therapy at West Chester University. Additionally, she founded and directs Music Service Learning, a non-profit organization that provides music teachers with support from college students who collaboratively create resources, plan events, and give an extra hand where needed. At her philosophical core, Marci aims to use music as a vehicle to build connection and community with musicians and music enthusiasts of all ages.
Marci believes strongly in the power of collaboration to creatively solve problems, develop programs, increase DEI, and constantly adjust to meet the ever-changing needs, cares, wants, and concerns of all stakeholders. Through her work, Marci has facilitated hundreds of partnerships resulting in increased teacher support, more musical access for K-12 students, the development of cutting-edge collegiate curriculum, and the creation of new paid hands-on experiences for pre-service teachers. She does this while simultaneously keeping an active artistic life as choral conductor and music education researcher.
Recent musical engagements include co-presenting an interest session at National ADCA, co-authoring the book Choral Connections: Enhancing choral experiences from a distance, and serving on the editorial board for the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. Beyond music, Marci was awarded the Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel and named one of West Chester's University "Most Influential 150 Women." Marci and her team have also enjoyed the recognition for their hard work with Music Service Learning. Marci appeared as a panelist for the Cottrell Business Center's Women's Entrepreneurship Conference, and the team facilitated a session on Collaborative Ideation at the BPHL Innovation Festival, won third place at the West Chester University Business & Social Innovation Competition, and was first runner up at the Philadelphia Social Innovation Competition.
Marci earned her B.S. in music education from West Chester University, her M.M. in choral conducting from Michigan State University, and her Ph.D. in music education from The Ohio State University. Prior to collegiate teaching, Marci taught middle and high school choir in Michigan. Marci resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with her husband, son, and daughter.
