What is the work like?
Music teachers give music lessons to people of all ages and
abilities, either as private or freelance teachers, or in schools
or colleges.
As a music teacher, your work would vary depending on the type
of teaching you do.
Private teaching
You would work with individuals or small groups of
people, either in your own home or in the pupil's home. You
could work with people of all abilities, from beginners to top
performers, and would:
- teach pupils to play an instrument and to read and interpret
music
- plan lessons to suit the individual needs of each pupil
- help pupils prepare for music exams, competitions and
performances.
You could combine musical performance with teaching, and perhaps
be involved in musician-in-residence schemes in schools or
colleges.
Teaching in schools and colleges
You could work in a specialist music college,
or conservatoire, where you would teach individuals, groups and
classes, preparing students for music exams, qualifications and
performances.
Alternatively, you could teach in a primary or secondary
school, where you would:
- teach the whole class or a group of pupils
- teach the history, theory and appreciation of all kinds of
music, following the
National
Curriculum
- set assignments and mark and assess pupils' work
- help to organise school choirs, orchestras or bands
- organise school concerts and musical performances.
In a secondary school, you would be a specialist music teacher.
In a primary school, you would cover all curriculum subjects,
including music, but you could also be a music specialist,
co-ordinating the subject throughout the school.
In a further education college or adult education centre you
could teach music on all levels, ranging from hobby courses to
qualifications such as GCSE and A level.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of teaching you
want to do.
Private teaching
If you have exceptional musical skills you may be
able to become a private teacher without qualifications. However, a
qualification such as a teacher's or performer's degree or
diploma from a recognised music college, conservatoire or
awarding body is likely to improve your chances of finding
work.
Courses are available at universities, colleges and
conservatoires. To get onto a music degree or diploma you would
usually need five GCSEs (A-C) and two A levels, including music, or
equivalent qualifications. You would have an audition, and many
institutions would expect you to have at least Grade 6 on a main
instrument.
See the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) website for
details of course providers. You should check with providers for
their exact entry requirements.
You can apply to conservatoires online at
Conservatoires UK
Admission Service.
Teaching in music colleges or conservatoires
To teach in a music college conservatoire you would usually
need specialist training to postgraduate level. See details for
private teaching above.
Teaching in schools and colleges
To teach in a state school you must have Qualified
Teacher Status (QTS). See the teacher profiles and the Training and
Development Agency for Schools website for details.
As a primary teacher, you would be trained to teach all
subjects, but may be able to develop a specialism in music. At
secondary level you would train to teach music, possibly combined
with another subject.
See the Further Education Teacher profile and the LLUK website
for details of teaching in further education colleges and adult
education centres.
To find out more about music teaching and other careers in music
visit the Incorporated Society of Musicians website.
What further training and development can I do?
As a private teacher, it would be an advantage to keep up to
date with the latest thinking and continue to develop your
professional skills and knowledge. You can get help with this from
the following organisations:
- the Musicians' Union – offers advice to members on
professional development
- the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) – see the
ISM website for details of continuing professional development
opportunities and business training
- the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
– offers a range of professional development courses,
including the Certificate of Teaching (CT ABRSM).
You can further your professional development and study for a
postgraduate qualification by completing Music Teaching in
Professional Practice (Mtpp). The Mtpp is a distance learning
programme run by the ISM in partnership with the
University of
Reading.
The course leads to a postgraduate diploma (PG Dip Mtpp) at the
end of two years study, or a Master of Arts degree (MA Mtpp) after
a third year.
As a qualified and experienced member of the ISM, you can apply
to be listed on the ISM Register of Professional Private Music
Teachers.
Where can I go for more information?
http://www.creative-choices.co.uk
5th Floor
St Andrew’s House
18-20 St Andrew Street
London
EC4A 3AY
Information and Advice Service: 020 7936 5798
Email:
advice@lluk.orghttp://www.lluk.org
Lafone House
The Leathermarket
Weston Street
London
SE1 3HN
http://www.creative-choices.co.uk
http://www.cukas.ac.uk
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SZ
Teaching Information Line: 0845 6000 991
http://www.tda.gov.uk
24 Portland Place
London
W1B 1LU
Tel: 020 7636 5400
http://www.abrsm.org
Tel: 020 7582 5566
http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk
10 Stratford Place
London
W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413
http://www.ism.org
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning
adviser, call
0800 100 900 or
use our online
enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at:
www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Teachers in state schools earn from £21,102 to £30,842
a year (£26,000 to £35,568 in inner London).
Private teachers charge an hourly rate. This averages at between
£20 and £30 an hour, but can be £50 or more.
The ISM and the Musicians' Union advise members on fees for
private teaching.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As a private teacher, you would work hours to suit your
client group, and may spend time travelling between different
teaching venues.
In a school, you would usually work school hours from Monday to
Friday. You may also teach individual pupils, run rehearsals or
music groups, and attend school concerts and musical performances
after school hours, and occasionally at weekends.
In further education colleges, you could work full-or part-time
hours, and in adult education centres would teach part-time courses
during the day or evening.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- enthusiasm for music and the ability to motivate pupils
- a good knowledge of a range of musical styles
- skills in playing an instrument or singing
- teaching skills
- a patient and encouraging approach
- good communication skills
- self-motivation and organisational skills
- business skills if self-employed.
What opportunities are there?
Many music teachers are self-employed, and often combine
teaching privately with part-time or casual work for colleges and
other organisations.
You could also work in state and independent schools, and
further education and specialist schools and colleges. There is
strong competition for jobs in specialist music schools or
colleges.
As a qualified and experienced music teacher in a school, you
may have the opportunity for promotion to head of music
department.
Alternatively, you could become an advisory teacher or inspector
employed by a local education authority or independent agency to
oversee the teaching of music in local schools.
