Music Teacher Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a music teacher job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a music teacher. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a music teacher.
Who is a Music Teacher?
A music teacher is a qualified individual who imparts music education to students. Teachers of music instruct their students in the theory and practice of general music, singing, and playing musical instruments.
Music instructors are responsible for teaching individuals instrumental skills, scales, sight reading, and music theory. The majority of music instructors assist students to prepare for music tests, auditions, and live performances. Music instructors may work in schools, community centers, music stores, people’s homes, and public institutions, such as hospitals and prisons. They may also operate on a freelance basis which might give greater flexibility.
Music instructors educate and develop pupils in the abilities necessary to succeed as musicians. They teach and show pitch, tempo, rhythm, and other elements that are crucial to singing and performing music. There are various sorts of music instructors. For instance, a vocal teacher assists students with singing technique staying on the pitch, and finding the greatest arrangements for the student’s voice, while an orchestra or band director trains students to play one instrument or many instruments.
Music instructors tutor individuals or groups in vocal or instrumental music and encourage music enjoyment. They may work full-time or part-time at home, in a studio, or at an elementary or secondary school, college, university, or music conservatory.
The precise nature of a music teacher’s job depends on the sort of role they occupy. Private music instructors tutor a broad array of pupils from young toddlers to adults. Some of their customers pursue music for fun, and others are prepared for a profession in music.
Elementary and secondary school music instructors frequently supervise the school chorus, choir, orchestra, or marching band, as well as provide group and individual instruction. They train students in the technical parts of music, lead rehearsals, and assess student performance. School music professors often take students on field excursions to musical events, or the students may perform outside campus under the guidance of the teacher.
A bachelor’s degree in Music Education combined with excellent musical competency and skill in a musical instrument is essential for music teacher roles. Successful music instructors are enthusiastic and possess good interpersonal and verbal communication abilities.
Music Teacher Job Description
What is a music teacher job description? A music teacher job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a music teacher in an organization. Below are the music teacher job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a music teacher job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a music teacher include the following;
- Teach general forms of music.
- Educate classical piano, practical and theoretical.
- Instruct singing to pupils from beginning to expert level.
- Prepare students for practicals and tests.
- Inspire and inspire pupils to expand themselves to after-school music groups.
- Build connections and coach pupils.
- Incorporate musical instruments and movement in classes.
- Plan and execute a program of teaching and lesson plans.
- Prepare pupils for school performances and organize music activities.
- Plan and arrange classes concerning individual students’ requirements and exam syllabuses.
- Teach music theory, aural skills, and practical approaches to learners entering and preparing children for tests.
- Acquire proper teaching materials and resources.
- Motivate kids and promote development.
- Create and maintain a network of connections to guarantee work continuity.
- Communicate with academic staff and parents.
- Ensure up-to-date knowledge and understanding of examination requirements.
- Assess kids’ abilities, give criticism, and produce reports.
- Help students build their unique style by helping them to acquire solid basics in music theory, technique, performance, and musicianship.
- Provide tailored training to each student regarding their needs, interests, and objectives.
- Prepare pupils for auditions, performances, contests, or assessments.
- Conduct rehearsals and offer comments to students on their progress.
- Teach music theory and history to students of all ages.
- Work with parents or guardians to assist them to understand their child’s development or issues.
- Teach music lessons to one or more students at a time based on the teacher’s level of certification.
- Create lesson plans that contain activities tailored to address the requirements of each student in the class.
- Evaluate student progress and make revisions to classes as appropriate.
- Educate pupils on how to play musical instruments and various musical ideas.
- Teach the fundamentals of music reading, including tempo, harmony, rhythm, and melody.
- Record student progress on report cards, and talk about it with parents at parent-teacher conferences.
- Conduct musical performance rehearsals.
- Get children ready for school tournaments and different competitions.
- Plan field trips for students to museums, musical performances, and other musical events.
- Instruct groups or individuals.
- Lecture students on music theory and introduce them to a variety of musical styles, including jazz, folk, and classical.
Qualifications
- Evidence of enrollment in an authorized college/university in completing a state-approved teacher preparation program within 3 years of the date of hiring or in the field experience.
- Demonstrable understanding of music curriculum and the capacity to execute it.
- Ability to communicate constructively with students, parents, and administration.
- Excellent oral and writing skills.
- Confident in leading a classroom of kids.
- Able to pass a drug test, fingerprints, and local background check.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Able to lift 25-50 pounds numerous times a day.
- Able to flourish working in a team environment.
Essential Skills
- Musical knowledge: Music instructors have an extensive understanding of the type of music they teach. They also know how to play numerous sorts of musical instruments. They have to communicate complicated ideas and theoretical information to pupils. Thus, the capacity to break down information and knowledge utilizing simpler techniques and approaches is equally vital.
- Organizational skills: Music instructors maintain track of student assignments, program finances, lesson plans, and success reports. They also split kids into various class groups according to their grade, performance level, or instrument each group plays. Music instructors who conduct individual lessons also maintain track of invoices, payments, and receipts. To carry out all these duties properly, music instructors need outstanding organizational abilities.
- Patience: Music instructors deliver classes to pupils of all age groups, backgrounds, and ability levels. They establish distinct teaching tactics based on the grade they teach. To carry out this task efficiently, you lead kids via diverse learning skills which needed enormous time and patience. Also, talents and precision in music improve through time, and being patient is a crucial part of this process.
- Leadership skills: When you lead a class, a group of students, or a band, you need the ability to keep everyone engaged and eager to learn. Also, you must make sure the kids are grasping the music lessons and, at times, even reprimand their misbehavior during the music session. Learning music involves time, discipline, and attention and you have to urge kids to consistently practice and keep trying.
- Communication skills: Music instructors utilize their interpersonal communication, public speaking, and active listening abilities to communicate classroom themes, provide personalized instruction, provide assistance and give feedback to students. They are also accountable for regular communication between student development and other classroom subjects with parents, colleagues, administrators, and clients. Accomplishing these jobs demand great communication skills and an ability to guide discussions and lectures.
- Decision-making skills: Music instructors establish tactics or make choices that are best for their pupils and their learning curve. They also pick what music to teach and create strategies to distribute the resources to support their program as per the demands of their pupils. Their judgments influence the kids, coworkers, and parents as well. Thus, they demand good decision-making and planning abilities.
- Creativity: Having a creative attitude is vital for music instructors to write music and develop theme-based performances. They also invent fresh and unique approaches to make teaching classes fascinating and demanding at the same time. Having creative abilities may enable as well their pupils to gain new skills and develop in their job. Thus, being innovative and enthusiastic about music is incredibly crucial.
How to Become a Music Teacher
- Get a bachelor’s degree: If you intend on teaching at an educational institution, most schools need you to have at least a Bachelor of Arts in music education or a similar comparable degree. Choose a college or university that combines advanced musical training with an in-depth teacher preparation program that fulfills the standards for teaching music to all grade levels.
In most undergraduate studies, you study several areas such as music theory and history, performance, ensemble, and conducting. You also get to master general education issues such as classroom instruction and student assessment, musical instruction topics, including lesson planning for music, instrument-specific instruction, and teaching music appreciation.
- Complete classroom instruction: Most music education curricula require students to complete a set number of classroom observation hours and student teaching along with their lectures, examinations, and musical performances. This section of the program enables you to see music instructors working with a range of learning levels, teaching different instruments and musical ideas, and directing diverse student music groups.
Besides observation hours, such courses usually typically teach practicums in which you serve as a learning instructor at a local school, conduct lessons under the supervision of the lead teacher, and get practical experience. Some courses may enable you to do your practicum with a teacher who has the same specialization as you. A practicum semester also enables you to gain frequent input on how to grow as a teacher and reflect on your experiences to create your style of teaching.
- Gain experience: Aside from the observation and practicum hours, consider exploring additional opportunities that help you to build the abilities expected of music instructors. You may provide music lessons and educate young pupils or peers on how to play an instrument or improve their singing voice. This enables you to practice your one-on-one instructing skills and enhance your training talents. You may also seek possibilities to volunteer at a school or community center’s music programs, which will also help you to create professional networking relationships.
- Attain a teaching certificate: After finishing your music educator preparation program, you need to fulfill your state’s prerequisites to receive your teaching credential. Each state may have distinct criteria for its instructors. Requirements may include completing numerous tests such as CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test), and SET (State Eligibility Test) that test you on your teaching abilities and topic knowledge. Some states additionally require instructors to take frequent examinations to assess abilities and knowledge or continue their education to understand the newest methods for classroom and music instruction.
- Pursue further studies: Earning a master’s degree will enhance your work possibilities and earning potential as a music instructor. The curriculum of a master’s degree for music educators may include the history and philosophy of music education and the psychology of music. You may also have to do an internship, both of which help you to further develop a specialism. If you wish to teach at the university level, you may additionally have to get a Ph.D. degree.
Where to work as a Music Teacher
Music instructors operate in several contexts, including public and private schools, colleges and universities, music studios, and community music initiatives. They normally work a conventional 40-hour week, however, they may need to work nights and weekends to attend performances and rehearsals or to meet with pupils. Music instructors normally take summers off, however, some offer summer music programs. Music professors who work in colleges and universities may also have a reduced teaching load over the summer months to enable them to pursue their research and artistic endeavors. Music instructors who operate in private music studios often choose their hours, however, they may need to be accessible to meet with students outside of the standard workday.
Music Teacher Salary Scale
The average music teacher pay in the USA is $58,500 per year or $30 per hour. Entry-level occupations start at $44,068 per year while most experienced individuals earn up to $80,974 per year.
The average music teacher pay in the United Kingdom is £35,072 per year or £17.99 per hour. Entry-level occupations start at £31,338 per year while most experienced individuals earn up to £49,055 per year.
The average music teacher’s income in Canada is $46,800 per year or $24 per hour. Entry-level occupations start at $39,000 per year, while most experienced professionals earn up to $70,200 per year.
The average music teacher pay in Australia is $89,593 per year or $45.95 per hour. Entry-level occupations start at $74,301 per year, while most experienced professionals earn up to $114,493 per year.