The Fulfilling Career Paths of Music Teaching
The greatest sign of success for a teacher . . . is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist." - Maria Montessori
Music teaching is one of the most fulfilling jobs and career paths. It needs a creative, musical, versatile, and talented teacher to become a music teacher. There are many titles for a person who teaches musicー instructor, tutor, teacher, mentor, coach, and professor. They all might sound the same, but they are very different. What's the difference then? Which career path should I take when I want to teach music? What qualifications do I need? Is talent enough to teach music or do I need a license? I may not be an expert to tell you which career choice you need to take, but here is a guide about the differences among these teaching career paths in music. Also, this blog will guide those who need to check what kind of music teacher can best help them according to their needs and goals.
1.) Music Teacher
A music teacher is a professional who teaches music as a whole subject. It includes music theories, fundamentals, rudiments, basic skills of a musician, performing, playing instruments, and expression. There is a wide range of ages and departments such as preschool, kindergarten, elementary/primary, middle school, and high school. Some music teachers can be found in their own music studios, especially if they are accredited to teach by a certain music program. Music teachers can also have specializations such as band directors, choral conductors, ethnic music ensembles, string program directors, and among others.
Music teachers are generally professionals you can find in schools and institutions, public or private. To be a reputable music teacher, one must have credentials of at least a Music Education degree, or any music degree, and a teaching license recognized by the state or your country. This is a must for all teachers who will work in public schools or state-governed institutions.
Now, not all schools require these credentials, in fact, some private schools and institutions are flexible when hiring a music teacher. For example, you can be a musical theater graduate and still land a job in music teaching because of your musical background. Or you can have a different education degree and a teaching license but have musical experience. Some schools also do not require a teaching license as long as you have a musical background, it is enough. However, the competition is very high when it comes to landing a reputable music teaching job. Most of these jobs require at least a license and a music and/or education degree.
Also, if one has a specialization like being a choral conductor in middle school, a teaching license is not required but a degree in choral conducting is, or reputable and respected years of choral conducting. It all depends on the position requirements and the institution that is in need of your expertise in the field.
In general, to be a music teacher, you must invest in good and reputable academic credentials and years of experience, so that the students and the institution you are working with will not question your ability to teach music and they will respect and trust the knowledge and skills you impart to them.
2.) Music Instructor with instrument specialization
A music instructor is another very important teacher in music. They are the teachers and masters of a particular instrument or instrument. A music instructor can teach any of these instruments such as piano, guitar, violin, voice, bass, composition, and so on. Not only do they teach how to perform, but they also teach music theory, fundamentals, and rudiments in music, which are vital in learning an instrument. Each instructor has different teaching methods, philosophies, and ideas, and some have certifications from music methods such as Suzuki, ABRSM, Orff, Kodaly, and so on. Some also make their original teaching methods and that is pretty awesome, too!
Music instructors can be found in music schools, music studios, or even online! Some also venture into in-home lessons, where the teachers go to the house of the students and teach the instrument. Others have their own space to put up a studio or share the space with other artists or people with common interests. When I opened my music school in the Philippines, I had a partnership with an art and dance school.
With regard to skills, a good music instructor has many years of experience as a performer and a teacher. Some instructors don't have a performing career too but focus on music instruction. Some performers do music instruction as a side job or business. These two great combinations make music instructors very reliable as they get to preach what they teach. Not all instructors have the luxury of time to perform again, and that is acceptable and it is just the way it is because of circumstances, on the other hand, not all performers have the time to teach.
About the credentials, a music instructor doesn't have to have a music degree. Anyone can teach an instrument and varies a lot in experience, skills, and methods. But credentials do matter a lot. When students look for a music instructor, they look at their teachers' credentials. "Is my teacher good?" "Is my teacher qualified to teach me music?", "Can they teach me how to do this stuff in music?" "I saw my teacher perform so well, I want to be like him/her!". Credentials make you trustworthy and many students will seek the right teacher that they need because of your achievements. If a student works with a very trustworthy, dedicated, and well-known music instructor, he/she also gets the reputation and pride of being under the tutelage of a very good music instructor. This connection will lead to more opportunities, relationships, and support. That's why it is important to know your teachers because they will shape your musical future.
As music instructors, it is also very important to focus on the betterment of the students. The bond we create while teaching music is much closer because it is usually one-on-one instruction. We build and help them grow into loving the instrument our students choose. We have the power to make them better so it is best to treat our students the best way possible. Encourage them to be better, not demotivate or make them feel bad about themselves. They are our reflections and our music will resonate with theirs without diminishing their individuality.
3.) Music Professors
Music professors are the ones you see in higher education, colleges, and universities. Just like any professor, you need to have reputable credentials and years of experience in teaching. Music professors generally have a minimum of a Master's degree but nowadays, a Doctorate degree is most preferred by most institutions. But there are some music professors who are very talented, have garnered fame because of his/her musical achievements, or have a rare and unique teaching specialization, and they are hired by these institutions.
Music professors don't have to have a teaching license. A license is a plus but mostly, they are teaching in higher institutions because they have more knowledge, experience, and greater credentials. Unless the hiring institution requires it, then you need a license to teach. Degrees also are not enough to secure you a job at a higher institution. You have to build a strong, reputable career in music before you become a music professor. It all depends on the institution.
As music professors, they can also be music instructors, classroom teachers, and performers. Some also prioritize research and studies in music education, some also focus only on performance, and some can do both teaching and performing.
In my college and master's years in music, my professors paved my way to understanding music on a whole different level. I admire their talent and dedication so much! I owe a lot to them and I aspired to be like them.
One violin professor told, me that when I graduated, we would all be just colleagues. We performed together not as a student and teacher but as musicians having a great time performing. I want to do the same with my students someday.
"With music, one's whole future life is brightened. This is such a treasure in life that it helps us over many troubles and difficulties. Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life." – Zoltan Kodaly
I'd like to end this blog with a quote from a famous music educator, Zoltan Kodaly. Music is always a part of life, a part of the universe, a part of us, and of everything. As music educators, we have a mission to fulfill and this makes our advocacy and passion so worth living for, so worth teaching for. We take pride and privilege to be teachers of music for it is not only the mind and the skills we are honing, but also the soul. To all my fellow music educators, let us bring out the best of our students, in mind and in heart.
Happy teaching!