Music teacher
Music teachers give music lessons to people of all ages and abilities. They work in schools and colleges, and with individuals and community groups.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Depending on where you work, you could:
- plan lessons to suit the individual needs of a student or group
- teach students to play an instrument and to read and understand music
- prepare students for music exams, competitions and performances
- set assignments and mark and assess students' work
- organise school choirs, orchestras, bands and musical performances
Working environment
You could work at a college, at a university, from home or at a school.
Career path and progression
As a qualified and experienced music teacher in a school, you could become head of a music department, deputy head or headteacher.
With further training you could qualify as a music therapist.
You might also work freelance, teaching students in person and online.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of the fine arts
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- knowledge of English language
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with others
- leadership skills
- the ability to teach pupils how to do something
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
Most music teachers begin with a degree in music.
To teach music in a primary school, you could train to teach all subjects, and develop a subject specialism in music.
To work as a secondary school music teacher, you could train to teach music as a single subject or combine it with teaching another subject.
In a music college, conservatoire or university, you may also need a postgraduate music qualification, have a recognised profile as a performer and have teaching experience.
When you apply for a music degree or postgraduate course, you'll usually be asked to attend an audition. You may be expected to have at least Grade 6 on a main instrument.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels including music, or equivalent qualifications
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You'll need a level 3 qualification or higher in music or performing arts, if you want to be a music lecturer in a further education college.
You would also need a further education teaching qualification that is relevant to the level of teaching responsibility you would have in your job.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More Information
You may be able to start by doing a Teacher Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you have a relevant degree and want to teach students aged 3 to 19.
This takes 12 months to complete and involves training while you work.
Entry requirements
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
- a degree for a teaching apprenticeship
More Information
You may be able to work as a private music teacher with or without qualifications, if you've got exceptional musical ability. A teaching qualification would be helpful though not essential.
Many musicians combine performance and music teaching as a career.
You could take training accredited by professional bodies, like the Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators, offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College London.
The course is aimed at people who are new to teaching music to children, and covers the purpose of music education and promotes best practice.
It has been developed for:
- instrumental and vocal teachers working privately with schools
- primary teachers
- community musicians
- professional musicians who do educational work
Other options include the Professional Diploma (Teaching) offered by Rock School.
Registration
- you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England
Career tips
You can search for jobs in schools through the Teaching Vacancies service.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a music teacher from:
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