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 Question about teaching music
Author: OmarHo 
Date:   2007-12-15 00:38

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering, do you have to actually major in music education at university to get accepted a teaching job in a high school? Or could you just major in performance, theory or conducting and still get a job?

I live in Canada, so the circumstances may vary but obviously you probably can't get a teaching job for music in high school if you major in like Biology.

I know there probably lots of music teachers on this board, so if could lend your advice, thank you in advance.



Post Edited (2007-12-15 00:38)

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 Re: Question about teaching music
Author: FDF 
Date:   2007-12-15 00:45

OmarHo,

Try asking local school officials who hire high school music teachers what degrees and experience they expect from candidates.



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 Re: Question about teaching music
Author: OmarHo 
Date:   2007-12-15 01:05

Good idea, I'll do that.

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 Re: Question about teaching music
Author: Tara 
Date:   2007-12-15 03:25

My husband and I are both band directors. His degree is actually in Business, but right after graduation he took a few ed courses and the state tests for teaching certification. He has been teaching for 11 years, and just earned his National Board certification.

There are all kinds of "alternative certification". I know here (Oklahoma) teachers must be considered "highly qualified", which can mean a number of things, not just the degree or the test (Dictated by No Child Left Behind, I think)

However, I think many administrators look for that education degree, especially when you are up against a number of qualified applicants for a position.

Good luck to you!
Tara



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 Re: Question about teaching music
Author: feadog79 
Date:   2007-12-15 13:46

Regardless of your degree, you must possess a teaching certificate or license in whichever state you are teaching in. I graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education in the state of Ohio, started teaching there, and then ended up moving to Pennsylvania. At the time, PA had slightly different requirements for their certificate (I had to take another math class, and take a few more certification tests). Visit the website for the dept. of education in the state/province you are interested in teaching in, and find out what their requirements for certification are. I'm not familiar with Canada, so the process up there is probably a bit different!

Many degree programs for music teachers focus on performance as an undergrad degree, and then cover education courses/certification as a masters program, getting both bachelors and masters in 5-6 years. There's nothing wrong with getting a degree in performance first, then fulfilling your education coursework after. Most schools want music teachers who are capable musicians, not just people who passed a certification test, so a degree in music definitely helps. You will need to become certified, however!

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 Re: Question about teaching music
Author: William 
Date:   2007-12-15 14:34

Here in Wisconsin, you must have a degree in education and be certified in music education, either instrumental, vocal, general or--for my certification--all music all levels (K-12). As mentioned above, other states may have other criteria and you really need to inquire with each ones department of public instruction. Private schools have their own rules and may hire professionals based on experiance alone, but with so many certified teachers out of work, the college education degree is often asked for. All of the teachers at my wifes Catholic elementary school--being in a large metropolitan community--have college teaching degrees.

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 Re: Question about teaching music
Author: skygardener 
Date:   2007-12-15 14:45

Yes, each state/country has its own rules. Without naming places, there are areas in America in which are so in need of teachers that you don't need any cirtification, only a college degree in anything. You teach by day and take class to get cirtification at night. Some places have even lesser requirements. And some states require the degree in the subject that you teach.

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