Music Teacher
What is the work like?
Music teachers give music lessons to people of all ages and ability, either as private or freelance teachers, or in schools or colleges.
As a music teacher your work would vary depending on the type of teaching you do:
Private teaching
As a private teacher you would work with individuals or small groups of people, either in your own home or in the pupil's home. You would:
- work with pupils of all abilities, from beginners to top performers
- teach pupils to play an instrument and to read and interpret music
- plan lessons to suit the individual needs of each pupil
- help pupils prepare for music exams, competitions and performances.
You could combine musical performance with teaching, and perhaps be involved in musician-in-residence schemes.
Teaching in schools and colleges
You could teach in a specialist music college, or conservatoire, where you would teach individuals, groups and classes, preparing students for music exams, qualifications and performances.
You could also teach in primary or secondary schools. In a secondary school you would be a specialist music teacher. In a primary school you would cover all curriculum subjects, including music, but you could also be the music specialist, co-ordinating the subject throughout the school. You would:
- teach the whole class or a group of pupils
- teach the history, theory and appreciation of all kinds of music, following the National Curriculum (link opens in new window
- set assignments and mark and assess pupils' work
- help to organise school choirs, orchestras or bands
- organise school concerts and musical performances.
In a further education college or adult education centre you could teach music on all levels, ranging from hobby courses to qualifications in music, such as GCSE and A level.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of teaching you want to do.
Private teaching
For private teaching it is not essential to have a teaching qualification. However, most private teachers have a qualification such as a teacher's or performer's degree or diploma from a recognised music college or conservatoire or awarding body. If you have exceptional musical skills you may be able to become a private teacher without qualifications, but a qualification is likely to improve your chances of finding work.
Courses are available at universities, colleges and conservatoires. To get onto a music degree or diploma you would usually need five GCSEs (A-C) and two A levels, including music, or equivalent qualifications. You would have an audition, and many institutions would expect you to have at least grade 6 on a main instrument.
See the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) website for details of course providers. You should check with providers for their exact entry requirements. You can apply to conservatoires online at Conservatoires UK Admission Service (link opens in new window).
Teaching in music colleges or conservatoires
To teach in a music college conservatoire you would usually need specialist training to postgraduate level. See details for private teaching above.
Teaching in schools and colleges
To teach in a state school you must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). See the teacher profiles and the Training and Development Agency for Schools website for details.
As a primary teacher, you would be trained to teach all subjects, but may be able to develop a specialism in music. At secondary level you would train to teach music, possibly combined with another subject.
See the Further Education Teacher profile and the LLUK website for details of teaching in further education colleges and adult education centres.
Visit the Incorporated Society of Musicians website for details of music careers, including teaching.
What further training and development can I do?
As a private teacher it would be an advantage to keep up to date with the latest thinking and continue to develop your professional skills and knowledge. You can get help with this from the following organisations:
- the Musicians' Union – offers advice to members on professional development
- the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) – see the ISM website for details of continuing professional development opportunities and business training
- the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) – offers a range of professional development courses including the Certificate of Teaching (CT ABRSM).
You could study by distance learning for Music Teaching in Professional Practice (Mtpp). This is a professional development programme which may lead on to an MA course. It is run by the ISM in partnership with the University of Reading (link opens in new window).
As a qualified and experienced member of the ISM you can apply to be listed on the ISM Register of Professional Private Music Teachers.
Where can I go for more information?
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
London
W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413
London
W1B 1LU
Tel: 020 7636 5400
London
SW1W 9SZ
Teaching Information Line: 0845 6000 991
St Andrew’s House
18-20 St Andrew Street
London
EC4A 3AY
Information and Advice Service: 020 7936 5798
Email: advice@lluk.org
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Qualified teachers in state schools earn from £20,133 to £29,427 a year.
Private teachers charge an hourly rate. This averages at between £20 and £30 an hour, but can be £50 or more.
The ISM and the Musicians' Union advise members on fees for private teaching.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As a private teacher you would work at times to suit your client group and may spend time travelling between different teaching venues.
In a school you would usually work school hours from Monday to Friday. You may also teach individual pupils, run rehearsals or music groups and attend school concerts and musical performances after school hours and occasionally at weekends.
In further education colleges you could work full-or part-time hours, and in adult education centres would teach part-time courses during the day or evening.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- enthusiasm for music and the ability to motivate pupils
- a good knowledge of a range of musical styles
- musical skills in playing an instrument or singing
- teaching skills
- a patient and encouraging approach
- good communication skills
- self-motivation and organisational skills.
What opportunities are there?
Many music teachers are self-employed. As a self-employed teacher you may combine teaching privately with part-time or casual work for colleges and other organisations.
You could also work in state and independent schools, and further education and specialist schools and colleges. Competition is strong for jobs in specialist music schools or colleges.
As a qualified and experienced music teacher in a school you may have the opportunity for promotion to head of music department. You could also become an advisory teacher or inspector employed by a local education authority or independent agency to oversee the teaching of music in local schools.
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