9.6: Advice from Current Students, Practicing Teachers, and College Faculty
- Page ID
- 310522
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“What is one thing you wish you had known before beginning your music education degree?”
I wish I would have realized how much practicing ahead of time pays off in the long run—the more you practice early, the better prepared you will be.
It is difficult to participate in ensembles and work at a job. It takes a lot of time to practice, study, go to concerts, etc.
Be confident but recognize that you are the new one and are surrounded by people who have been there much longer than you; you will not be the “top dog” anymore. Find out about requirements—don’t assume all transfer credits from community college or high school will apply to your degree.
I wish I would have had a regular practice schedule. I wish I would have learned better study skills for subjects that I’m not entirely interested in (History, Government, etc.)
I wish I were more fluent with takadimi and solfège using moveable do.
Before starting college, I needed piano lessons and some music theory. I wish I would have had more varied performance experiences. A full load will mean more than four classes like other majors. It is likely you will have six or seven classes per semester. Prepare to be busy all the time. work on your time management skills.
The amount of work outside classes is huge: recital credits, practicing, rehearsals, homework… Music education leaves no room for other minors. It’s difficult to graduate in four years and you hardly have any time for electives unless you take a 9th semester. The number of licensure tests and hoops to jump through (like portfolios).
“The best part about being a music education major is…”
There is a lot of variety—you definitely don’t get stuck doing the same thing over and over again!
Everything you will experience will challenge you for the better!
You get to do two things you love—teach and make music.
Current Teachers
“What advice would you give to future music educators?”
Observe several teachers; we all do something different. It may seem scary at first, but it’s totally worth it… It will be hard at times and you’ll have moments where you want to quit, but keep going. You’ll thank yourself later. You are a musician and an educator. Do both of them to the best of your abilities. The minute you sacrifice one for the other is when you begin to fail in your responsibilities to your students. Pay attention in methods class and get as good as possible on secondary instruments as you can. Be prepared to teach ANY type of music education at ANY grade level. You never know when your assignment may change.
Spend as much time in a classroom with a master teacher as possible. Continue this during your first three years. When you get your first job starting out, you will be surprised to learn that you are not that good! It took me about five years to get to feeling comfortable in front of a group. So, don’t throw in the towel on your career too soon! Give yourself a chance to learn. Get into the classroom as much as you can and don’t limit yourself to one age/specialty. Explore everything, ask questions, make connections with practicing teachers, and if you’re able to, get in there and actually teach! Please never forget that you are often the first person to expose students to the joy of music. Make it a great experience.
Be flexible, be kind, be patient, breathe, and make sure the custodians and secretaries are your best friends. Get as much teaching experience as possible- private lessons, vacation bible school music, marching band camps, church childrens’ choirs, anything. And find some great music teachers to observe. Be humble and always willing to do the work to improve your knowledge or skill. Find a piano teacher ASAP!
“What do you like best about your job?”
I love connecting with people on a deeper and more emotional level that daily discourse sometimes provides. The community of educators is so inspiring and fun. I’m very thankful for the mentors and colleagues who are in my life!
I love exploring and exposing people to new cultures and viewpoints through music. Getting to spend time making music every day. Getting to watch students grow in their skill and confidence while realizing that they enjoy it more the better they are!
I love working with kids! They bring so much joy to all to the music we make together, and every day is unique.
Music and Music Education Faculty
“What do you like best about your job?”
I love making music with people and sharing that passion with students and colleagues. I like that I get to use lots of my musical, organizational, and pedagogical skills on a daily basis. Each day of my job is different, and there is always something very rewarding that I experience on any given day.
Creativity, collaboration, communication with students, certain flexibility and ability to pursue various music-related projects. The ability to collaborate with a variety of people in a variety of genres (from duets to ensembles, from opera to musical theatre to jazz to classical, from young students to seasoned pros).
Each day allows me to flex different parts of my creative self. I enjoy the work of bringing a piece of music to life. It can be a deeply challenging process full of doubt and fear, but I love feeling those things and finding it in myself to persist anyhow.
“What advice would you give to a student majoring in music education?”
Get as much teaching experience as possible—private lessons, vacation bible school music, marching band camps, church childrens’ choirs, etc. Spend as much time in a classroom with a master teacher as possible. Continue this during your first three years of teaching. Realize that you may have just graduated with all of the new and “up-to-date” tools but your predecessors and elders still know more.
When you get your first job starting out, you will be surprised to learn that you are not that good! It took me about five years to get to feeling comfortable in front of a group, so don’t throw in the towel on your career too soon! Give yourself a chance to learn. Go make live music. Go hear live music. Listen to all kinds of music, even if you don’t like it at first. Be curious!
Be prepared to teach any type of music education at any grade level. You never know when your assignment may change. Go beyond student teaching and get as much experience as possible. Be exposed to a variety of school situations. Be flexible, kind, and patient. Breathe.