Major: Music Teacher Education
Music is a magical art form. We create it by pushing air through our mouths or by plucking, bowing, blowing, banging, or pressing various instruments (including, these days, computers). But once music enters the air, it becomes pure, free sound. Music travels the world -- without a passport. From Bach to blues to Balinese gamelan, it's available to everyone.
Music teachers are passionate about awakening students' musicality. These teachers are ready to guide kids pursuing music careers -- but they also enjoy helping all students have fun, develop discipline, and enrich their lives by learning to play music.
Music education majors learn how to teach music and music appreciation to students of various ages (mostly kindergarten through twelfth grade).
“I plan to teach high school. I hope by the time I retire that I've turned many people on to music.”
David, sophomore, music, University of North Carolina
Are You Ready To...?
- Study an instrument in depth
- Participate in school bands, choruses, or ensembles
- Attend music conventions and workshops
- Do hands-on learning projects in schools
- Join the National Association for Music Education
It Helps to Be...
Musical, verbal, and patient. Some of your students will have difficulty with skills you may consider easy, such as staying in tune, beating out a rhythm, or reading music. You'll want to bring out your students' strengths, using them as bridges to more difficult skills.
College Checklist
- Will you be required to audition for the program?
- What requirements must you meet to be certified to teach?
- What grades will you be certified to teach?
- Will your teaching certificate enable you to teach in other states?
- Does the program offer job-placement help?
- What hands-on learning opportunities will you have?
Did You Know?
- Many music education programs prepare you to teach kindergarten through twelfth grade. However, other options are possible, such as teaching music to the elderly.
Course Spotlight
Your program will include school visits to see music teachers in action. You'll observe teachers designing activities to meet different students' needs -- from teaching kindergarteners a simple song to rehearsing a high school jazz ensemble. You'll find out how they pick music that's just the right level of challenge, how they balance fun and discipline, and how they teach skills such as sight reading.
Before you graduate, you'll student teach for a semester, with plenty of guidance from an experienced teacher.
