Hi all,
College is coming up fast, and I'm looking foward to starting that area of my life. However, I'm lost as what to do. :O
I want to be able to teach kids music at the highschool level, and well. Ever since I entered seventh grade I have known this, and have been trying to learn as many instruments as I can, and WELL (not just barely, knowing only half the fingerings, etc. that's not acceptable) so I can teach them well. My highschool is causing problems though. My counsler, who is supposed to be helping me, does not think it is reasonable to become a music teacher, and discerages it. My band teachers won't answer my questions about the career and how to become succesful. So...I turn this forum.
I hope you all don't mind, but I have a list of questions =D
1. What are good music colleges? I know about Juilliard, Eastman, etc, but I am looking towards a more affordable option.
2. Is there anything I should know before pursuing music education? Anybody regret it?
3. What courses are important to take in college? What degrees are neccesary?
4. In college, are there courses on instrument repair? I feel that knowledge would be important to gain.
5. Any other advice?

Thanks so much,
The frusturated, musical as always,
flute_n_bassoon

1. What are good music colleges? I know about Juilliard, Eastman, etc, but I am looking towards a more affordable option.

For a performance major, the big name schools are much more important - and frequently much more expensive. For a Music Ed major, it's more important to pick a one that will allow you get your certification in the state where you want to teach. Most state colleges/universities offer Music Ed degrees. Check out the web sites of public colleges in the state where you want to teach and then contact them for more information about their programs/curriculum. Ask other music teachers where they went to college.

2. Is there anything I should know before pursuing music education? Anybody regret it?

Be sure that you really enjoy working with kids. You mentioned that you want to teach high school, but it's unlikely that you will get a high school band teaching position right out of college. This may vary by region, but you'll likely have to "earn your stripes" first by teaching elementary, middle school or jr. high to prove yourself before you can get a big high school job. In some areas they may hire you as an assistant high school director.

I taught for 6 years and then left. I didn't become dissatisfied with teaching, but rather I stumbled into a more lucrative career through a summer job in a different profession. You won't get rich ($) teaching but it is very rewarding and satisfying on a personal level to see students develop and become good musicians. I do miss that aspect but I do a little private teaching that makes up for it.

3. What courses are important to take in college? What degrees are neccesary?

A degree in Music Education (or a degree in Education with a concentration in Music) is generally required to teach instrumental music in the public schools. The courses will vary a bit from college-to-college. Besides the core, general education class requirements, most colleges will require courses in music theory, sight singing, music history, conducting, instrumentation, piano, and other music classes. For an instrumental music ed major you'll also take one or two semesters on each family of instruments: woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. You'll be required to demonstrate basic proficiency on each of the instruments. You'll have to participate in ensembles each semester. You may be able to choose from concert band, orchestra, or small ensembles. You'll be required to study privately on your major instrument and most likely will have to perform a solo work in a recital each semester. Your senior year, you'll do a senior recital for a jury of professors to demonstrate your music proficiency on your major instrument. If time permits, I'd suggest at least an introductory business course. High school band directors usually have to manage a budget, purchase instruments and supplies, organize events, and sometimes hire transportation. A business course could be useful to learn those aspects of the band director's responsibilities.

4. In college, are there courses on instrument repair? I feel that knowledge would be important to gain.

It varies. Many (most?) do not have a repair course for Music Ed majors. The university that I went to did not have a repair class, but I learned basic emergency repairs from another student who was working as a repair tech in a local music store. Some local techs may let you come in and look over their shoulder to learn a bit. I went a bit further and bought several repair books and furthered my skills. I would say that it's good to know very simple basic emergency repairs, but unless you really like repair work, it's not essential to become a full blown repair tech unless you are in a situation like mine was. When I was teaching, it was in a very small county and the nearest music store with a repair shop was over 50 miles away. The store had a road guy that came by twice a month to pick up and deliver repairs and supplies. If a student's instrument needed repairs, the two week cycle meant that they could be without their instrument for a month. That meant that I needed to be able to handle the simple stuff and leave just the big jobs for the shop.

5. Any other advice?

You mentioned that your school counselor and band director are discouraging you from pursuing Music Ed. Ask your counselor WHY? I have to be blunt, but do they see something in you that makes them think you would not be a good music teacher? Do you have low grades that makes them think you will not succeed? Do they see something in your personality that they think would be a problem for you becoming a teacher? They should be willing to give you a better explanation. The counselor especially should be more helpful. If they see some weaknesses that would be detrimental to your success as a teacher, ask them for advice on how you can resolve those weaknesses.

Teaching is not for everyone, but if you are truly passionate about teaching, then go for it. As I mentioned above, you won't get rich, but the benefits are pretty good and the personal rewards sort of make up for the money aspect.

No offense to anybody reading this, but guidance counselors are 99% useless. In high school, I was required to meet with mine once and he didn't know anything about applying to music school. He based my chances of getting into various music schools solely on my GPA and SAT scores, and I don't think he even knew about the audition process.

1) State schools generally have good music education programs. The music ed majors at the school I attend are here for five years. They have to apply the school of education in their junior year, and not all of them make it in. I'm not going to lie, the competition among the music ed majors is pretty fierce.

3) I have found that my adviser in college has been very helpful, and they will tell you what classes you should take. Your degree will also require you to take specific classes to graduate.

4) There aren't any classes on instrument repair at my school. Personally, I feel that repairs should go to a dedicated repairman, not a band director.

5) Practice like hell. Some music ed majors are able to double in performance and education. Also, never ever double major in anything else, like English. You'll end up taking 26 or 27 credits one semester, and you'll lose your mind.

Good luck!

All good advice up top.
Things to think about------
Do you want to do marching band?
Do you want a BS degree or a BM degree?
Repairs/ business / minor

Some colleges have marching bands and some do not. If you want to work with a high school that does marching bands, try to find a college that has one so can learn how to run one.

There are two types of degrees you can get, a BS (Bachelor of Science) or a BM (Bachelor of Music). The BM should indicate you have taken more detailed music classes and are a better musician yourself. Some people will recognize the differnce; most will not. There are also schools that run what is called a conservatory type program, which are much more music intensive. Go to on eof thee and you will probably come out as good as any performance major (with an education degree).

Repairs - many instruments are messed up by being repaired incorrectly. If you have good problem solving skills and are a tinkerer then you can take courses on repair after college to learn more about it. You're going to have to take continuing education courses anyway so it might as well be something like this.

Business class - YES!! Do take a business class or two. Where I went to college our music program had a class for music education majors which was in two semesters. And you went through organizing different music programs. This included beign hired to start one from scratch -which meant buying all the instruments, literature, music, chairs, stands, EVERYTHING to operate a music program. None of my friends since college who are in music programs has a class like this at their school, it is a needed course.

Minor - Doing a music program where you hav emusic and education is challenging and you may not have time for a minor; but if you can I strongly suggest getting a minor degree if you can. If you can't so be it, but if you can do so. Fewer and fewer schools can keep a music teacher fully employed.

Somebody above asked if the counselor saw anything in me that would be bad material for a music teacher, I asked, and she said that becoming a teacher would simply be stupid, that they just don't make enough money. 0.o
So I asked, is the pay really that low that you couldn't make a living on it?

<Added>

Oh, and my grades are straight A's :1 With that info, I strongly believe she was telling me her true, possibly horrid, belief.

Somebody above asked if the counselor saw anything in me that would be bad material for a music teacher, I asked, and she said that becoming a teacher would simply be stupid, that they just don't make enough money. 0.o So I asked, is the pay really that low that you couldn't make a living on it?

I think that was my comment. School guidance counselors are usually paid on the same scale as teachers, so perhaps he/she is not satisfied with their pay or is a bit jaded. As I said previously, you won't get rich teaching, but it is rewarding in other ways. If you want to get an idea of teacher pay, see this website:
http://teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state

Some states pay better than others. Generally, larger cities pay more than smaller cities/counties, but larger cities often come with more problem students, so it can be a tradeoff of income versus stress. In some systems, high school band directors get supplemental pay because of the extra time required to run a band program, play for football games, etc. You can judge for yourself whether you will be satisfied to live on a teacher's salary. Thousands of teachers do it, but some people want more. There are other factors that make teaching attractive. Teaching jobs are relatively unaffected by by the economy. You are not likely to be laid-off because of a downturn in the economy. It's not an absolute, but teaching is relatively secure. Once you get a teaching job and achieve tenure, your position is fairly secure. Also, most teachers only work 10 months per year. If you teach during the summer months, that is usually extra pay. Some teachers work odd jobs during the summer to supplement their income.

Besides that, music teachers can teach private lessons and/or play gigs to earn extra money.

My brother is a teacher in a suburb of San Diego. Teachers salaries are based on contining education and degrees. With a Master in Economics he makes a salary in the 80K range teaching math. He is presently pursuing an administration degree. As a VP he is looking at 125K, and a principal near 200K.

Check the state and county you might be thinking of going to and see what their pay scale is.

The net income of teaching salaries is also influenced by the cost of living. Teachers in urban areas with a high cost of living may fair worse than teachers in areas with a lower cost of living. My brother-in-law is a math-science teacher in southeast Virginia. He has a Master of Education and a Master of Public Administration, but his salary is a bit less than what was described for the San Diego area. Then again, the cost of living here is most likely much less than San Diego.

Consider Brigham Young University which has a top-rated music education department.

All of this is wonderful advice xD.

I would just like to add though that you shouldn't be hesitant about applying to an expensive college. You can actually SAVE money in some situations if you have enough of a need basis financially for the more expensive colleges (Is assuming you already applied for FAFSA). Scholarships and what not can help as well.

I'm a music ed major.

So. A couple things...

1. Just because a school is "good" does not mean that the education program of it is good. Look at the different university's education requirements, talk to people who what they do.

2. Some universities you actually WILL get hands on with the instruments and instruction on them.

3. You actually benefit more than me by knowing some of the instruments right now, because I have to take a slight break because of a wrist/hand/body injury with practicing.

4. Flute professors - make sure you get along with them. My flute professor and I completely understand each other. And I'm just at a school of music. Take a lesson or two...see what it's like. The flute professor should be able to be behind you at all times, no matter what you are pursuing (education or performance). Without that. .. if things happen, you have someone to support you.

5. Some schools have a "fast-track" program for performance majors to do education for Masters.

I could go on and on ... but here's two cents.

Consider Brigham Young University which has a top-rated music education department.

Actually, I don't think BYU has a music ed program. Not that I've heard of, anyway. The University of Utah seems to have the most heralded music education (but not music overall) department in the state of Utah, along with Weber State University.

Correct me if I'm wrong. It's just that the only music ed majors from the state of Utah I've ever met have gone to the University of Utah or Weber.

I know a music ed major at Utah State.

BYU has an exceptional, exciting, very competitive and demanding music program. Its music program is considered one of the top ten west of the Mississippi. It is a private school with excellent financial aid. A good, wholesome environment as well--and close to skiing!

Here is an excerpt from the catalog:

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AND DEGREES

Majors
BA in Music

BM in Jazz Studies

BM in Media Music Studies

BM in Music Composition

BM in Music Education
--Emphases:
----K-12 Choral
----K-12 Instrumental
----Elementary Music Specialist

BM in Music Performance
--Emphases:
----Brass
----Combined Piano and Organ
----Organ
----Percussion
----Piano
----String
----Vocal
----Woodwind

BM in Sound Recording Technology

Minor
Music


GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND DEGREES
MA in Music
MM in Music

http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/2009-2010ucat/departments/Music/MusicMain.php


Both University of Utah and Utah State University have great music and teacher education programs, though I don't know as much about them. Utah State University also has a wonderful Music Therapy degree.

Hi there flute_n_bassoon,

Sounds like you're looking for an undergraduate degree in Music Education; most likely a B.S.Ed? In the North Carolina public universities at the undergraduate level you take classes that count toward your major (music education) and to your liberal arts education (mostly stuff like intro level science, math, writing, history classes, etc. to make you a well-rounded collegian). ^_~ Completion of both are prerequisites to getting that diploma. Have you thought about what state you'd like to teach in? In some states I know they offer scholarships (sometimes really nice ones) if you have good high school grades and agree to teach there. As a person currently paying off college loans, money is something I wish I had paid a bit more consideration to when I was in college. For instance, I probably should have taken my liberal arts classes at a community college and then had them transferred to my uni (although definitely check on if the classes are considered equivalent so they transfer properly). Ah, the joys of being a first gen. college student (and figuring out all that stuff your high school adviser *should* have told you)!

That said, attending a four-year college was much fun, and despite those darned loans, compound interest and all that jazz I wouldn't take it back. One of the joys in college besides credits and liberal arts classes are electives; classes that you take just because you can (usually if you really like the topic or the professor). I'm not sure about classes in instrument repair, but I do know that professors who specialize on their instrument are almost always willing to teach students how to take care of and repair it. I know Dr. Spell, the Flute professor at WCU, runs a flute shop of-sorts and he's always looking to educate flutists on proper maintenance etc.

Advice: do you like being a face in the crowd/anonymity? Or do you like smaller classes? Do you like city life? Or smaller towns? You wouldn't think these things matter, but they actually do if you like to maintain your sanity. College is about broadening your horizons and trying to find what you like, dislike, and can tolerate in life as much as the formal education part. I'd advise visiting campuses to get a feel for all the different options out there and talking to faculty/potential professors/alumni about questions and concerns (even if by e-mail) if you can arrange it. ^_^

If you'd like, I'd advise you to google "Western Carolina University School of Music" and wander around the links section for a while. WCU is known for turning out first-rate nurses and music educators. Definitely check out "Undergraduate Programs in Music" > "Bachelor of Science in Education". Even if you decide Western isn't for you, the course listing should give you an idea of what you should look for in a good music program. Hmm... I'd also advise checking out the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band while you're at it, but that part's entirely optional. ^_~ Let's see... Other fun things to do in college if you can afford it (both in terms of finance and course of study) ...study abroad, intern, or do both!

*whew* I hope that was of some use to you flute_n_bassoon!
Cheers and Best of Luck,

Chandlia