Required Training for Early Childhood Art and Music Teacher
A music teacher instructs students in the concepts of music and leads musical activities such as singing, playing instruments, and listening to and analyzing musical works, depending on the grade level taught. Jobs in teaching music are available in a diversity of settings. Music teachers can piece of work part-fourth dimension or total-fourth dimension from dwelling house, in a individual music schoolhouse, at an elementary, heart, or high school, or at a college, academy, or music conservatory. This guide provides information on how to become a music teacher, mutual tasks, salary, and the task outlook for music teachers.
Music Teacher Job Description
A music teacher instructs students or classes in subjects from full general music, choral or phonation, instrumental music, or a combination of these topics. Both course and one-on-one teaching tin include a range of educatee ages, abilities, and grade levels. Independent music educators who provide lessons from their homes or individual studios may also piece of work with adult pupils. Music teachers must bear witness considerable skill, knowledge, patience, and creativity; they encourage music appreciation besides as instruct students in the technical aspects of music and functioning.
Music Teacher Requirements and Common Tasks
Music teacher requirements vary depending on the blazon of school. Condign a music teacher in a public schoolhouse requires a bachelor's degree in music or education and the completion of an approved instructor grooming plan. There are no unilateral didactics or licensing requirements for private music teachers; career success will depend on combined didactics, experience, and skill in the chosen musical specialty.
The duties of a music teacher vary depending on the chosen specialty and employment setting. 1000-12 public and private schoolhouse music teachers may direct a school choir, marching ring, or orchestra. At the uncomplicated level, they may teach a classroom of young children the basics of music, including tone, pitch, and an introduction to various instruments. Music teachers may develop curricula, conduct rehearsals and musical performances, and appraise students for grading purposes. Many music teachers besides participate in extracurricular activities such as taking students on field trips to attend or participate in diverse musical performances.
How to Become a Music Teacher
Similar any teacher who works at a public school, a music teacher must have a bachelor'due south degree and complete a state-canonical teacher preparation programme to run across certification requirements. A bachelor's program in music education may include courses in musical theory, music in early childhood, and choral conducting. A menstruation of educatee pedagogy is usually included, giving prospective music teachers existent-earth experience. The typical steps to becoming a music teacher in a K-12 public schoolhouse are equally follows:
- Earn a available's degree in music or music education that includes a teacher preparation program.
- Consummate a pupil teaching internship in music at the grade level(due south) you wish to teach.
- Take your state's required tests for prospective teachers.
- Apply for your pedagogy document.
- Begin applying for open music teacher jobs.
If you already have a bachelor's degree in music but did not have the required education courses, you lot may be eligible to pursue alternative teacher certification. Earning a master'southward degree in didactics designed for first-time teachers can be some other pathway to teacher certification. Private schools may or may not require music teachers to hold a teaching license, only many will crave teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree.
Music Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), kindergarten and elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $57,980 while middle schoolhouse teachers earned a median of $58,600 per yr, and high school teachers earned a median annual salary of $60,320.one-iii Art, drama, and music teachers in postsecondary schools earned a median almanac salary of $69,960.4 Teachers at the postsecondary level typically demand a main'southward caste or college.4 The BLS projects a instructor employment increase of 3-4% for uncomplicated through high schoolhouse teachers betwixt 2018 and 2028, and O*Internet OnLine reports a projected increment of 7-10% for postsecondary teachers of music through 2028.1-four Task opportunities will vary greatly depending on location and type of schoolhouse
Helpful Skills and Experience
Deep knowledge and/or experience working with music and the ability to play multiple instruments tin help prospective music teachers stand up out. A master's degree in music or a portfolio of work may too assist a instructor get hired. Music teachers, like all teachers, should have skillful organizational skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, and sound conclusion-making skills. Music teachers who volition exist working with children should have patience and be able to remain calm and off-white. A love of children, an "ear" for music, and a kind nature are also beneficial.
Music Teacher Career Interviews
- Former President, Texas Music Teachers Clan, Sharon Callahan
- Quondam President, Arizona Country Music Teachers Association, Chyleen Lauritzen
- Sometime President, Colorado Music Teachers Association, Joan Sawyer
Additional Resources
- Music Teachers National Association (MTNA): The MTNA is dedicated to advancing the written report of music and supporting teachers who brainwash in the field.
- National Association for Music Educational activity (NAFME): NAFME offers lesson plans, programs, and news to music teachers and prospective music teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Besides public schools, what are other employers of music teachers?
Answer: Not-profit organizations such every bit churches, community centers, daycare centers, and individual schools may hire music teachers for function-time or total-fourth dimension roles.
Question: How stiff is the job marketplace for music teachers?
Answer: In public schools, music teachers face a competitive job market as the education landscape continues to favor using public and government funding for cadre bookish subjects. Hopeful music teachers may increment their prospects by pursuing certification in multiple subjects and by being open to educational activity in private schools, non-traditional teaching academics, and/or private tutoring.
Question: How much do music teachers make?
Answer: Music teachers' salaries depend on a diverseness of factors including location, blazon of schoolhouse, years of experience, and educational background. The BLS reports that teachers of all subjects in elementary through high schools earn around $58,000 to $60,000 per twelvemonth.one-3 Private schools and other employers, including private lessons, may command unlike salaries.
References:
i. Agency of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Uncomplicated School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-preparation-and-library/kindergarten-and-unproblematic-school-teachers.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm
iii. Agency of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Loftier School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/pedagogy-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
4. O*NET OnLine, Fine art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1121.00
Source: https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/music-teacher/