Music Teacher
Further Details

What is the work like?

There are two main types of music teacher:

• classroom music teachers working in schools and colleges
• visiting or private music teachers.

Classroom music teachers may work as primary teachers with a music specialism (usually teaching other subjects as well), or as secondary music teachers. Highly qualified music staff might teach in a specialist music school, conservatoire or higher education music department.
In school, they teach all aspects of music, including musical theory and a range of musical styles and genres, as part of the national curriculum. They may organise and direct school choirs and orchestras, concerts and shows, often with drama teachers. They may also plan the work schedule for visiting music teachers and arrange trips to musical events.
Secondary and college teachers often use specialist computer programs to help students with their own compositions. They also prepare students for exams such as GCSE/S grade and A level/H grade music, and sometimes vocational music courses.
Visiting or private music teachers usually offer instrumental or singing lessons to individual pupils or small groups. They often prepare pupils for graded exams and the practical components of GCSE/S grade and A level/H grade music. In a school or college they may also organise groups such as orchestras and choirs, and plan and direct concerts.
School music teachers in England and Wales start on £18,558.

Hours and environment

School music teachers often start work at around 8am, and usually work until 5pm. They may work in the evenings for parents' evenings, meetings or musical events, or evenings and weekends for preparation and marking. Part-time work is possible.
School teachers in Scotland work 35 hours a week, up to 22.5 hours with classes.
Private music teachers set their own hours, and may work evenings and weekends. Some offer lessons in school during the day or at lunchtimes.
Music teachers mainly work indoors, in classrooms, and in community halls and other venues. Private teachers often work in their own homes, or in schools and colleges.
Some venues may be cramped or draughty.
There may be some travelling, particularly for visiting music teachers.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
• School teachers in England and Wales start on £18,558 (£22,059 in London).
• This rises to £27,123 (£30,750 in London).
• Teachers with additional responsibilities can earn up to £33,978.
• All new school teachers in Scotland start on £18,000 rising to £28.707.
The Incorporated Society of Musicians recommended rates for private teachers are £21.51 to £31.41 an hour (more in London), and £17.97 to £26.21 an hour for visiting music teachers.

Skills and personal qualities

Music teachers should:

• be knowledgeable and passionate about a wide range of music and want to share this with other people
• have reached a high level of musicianship, often to professional level
• communicate well
• work well in a team
• be patient, level-headed and calm
• have plenty of stamina and energy
• be enthusiastic
• have a sense of humour
• enjoy working with children or young people
• be very self-disciplined and organised
• have great commitment.

Getting in

Music teachers work in state and independent schools, colleges, for music services and in higher education institutions all over the UK - employment opportunities are good.
Competition for posts in conservatoires or specialist music schools is fierce.
Armed forces bands usually employ serving officers as music teachers.
Many private music teachers are self-employed. They can become members of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and be listed in the ISM Register of Professional Private Music Teachers.
Jobs are advertised in the Times Educational Supplement, national newspapers and specialist music magazines (Music Teacher, Classical Music).

Entry for young people

The qualifications needed depend on the type of teaching, and the kind of school or college.
All teachers undergo criminal background checks. School teachers must also meet government requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach.
Private or visiting music teachers are not required by law to be qualified. However, professional teachers must be qualified in the instruments they teach to register with the Incorporated Society of Musicians. They usually need a teacher's or performer's diploma from a conservatoire, or a degree in music.
Music teachers in Scottish schools must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland, and have completed a qualifying course for music.
To teach in a state school, teachers must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

There are three main routes:

• Undergraduate: a BEd degree (also BA in Applied Music in Scotland) for primary or secondary teaching with a music specialism, or a BA with QTS. BEd courses last two to four years; BAs with QTS last three or four years.
In England and Wales, students need at least two A levels and GCSEs (A-C) in English and maths (plus science for people born after 1 September 1979) - or equivalent qualifications. Scottish students need at least three higher grades including English (C or above) and S grades, including maths at grade 1 or 2, or equivalent qualifications.
• Postgraduate: a degree in music from a conservatoire, university or institute of higher education, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Students need two A levels/three H grades including music, or equivalent qualifications. Some institutions specify certain grades. In Scotland, applicants also need a National Qualifications course award in English at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 6, or equivalent, and proven ability in using music technology.
Applicants also need graded instrumental or singing exams. Many institutions ask for grade 8 distinction on the first instrument and grade 6 on the second. Conservatoires demand an especially high level of performing ability and are highly competitive.
• Employment-based: training while working in a school. For the Graduate Teacher Programme, a music degree is normally required. The Registered Teacher Programme is for people who have completed two years of a music degree.
To teach in colleges of further education, there are specialist PGCE courses. QTS is not essential, although further education music teachers are always highly qualified.
Teaching in a university or conservatoire usually requires specialist training, to postgraduate and often doctorate level.

Entry for adults

There is no upper age limit. Maturity is an advantage, and many people go into this job after a performing career. Some educational institutions may accept alternative qualifications.
Occasionally students over 25 are accepted in conservatoires. The voice takes time to mature, and students studying singing are often slightly older.

Getting on

Promotion possibilities for classroom teachers include becoming an advanced skills teacher, a head of department, deputy or head teacher.

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Further information

The General Teaching Council for Scotland, Clerwood House, 96 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UT. 0131 314 6000. Website: www.gtcs.org.uk
Incorporated Society of Musicians, 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA. 020 7629 4413. Website: www.ism.org
Music Education Council, 54 Elm Road, Hale, Altrincham WA15 9QP. 0161 928 3085. Website: www.mec.org.uk
Music Masters' and Mistresses' Association website: www.mma-online.org.uk
Musicians' Union, 60-62 Clapham Road, London SW9 OJJ. 020 7582 5566. Website: www.musiciansunion.org.uk
Teacher Training Agency, PO Box 3210, Chelmsford CM1 3WA. 0845 6000 991. Website: www.useyourheadteach.gov.uk.

	Berkshire's No.1 Early Years Provider
Chiltern Training Limited 15 Station Road Reading RG1 1LG Telephone 0118 9566995 Fax 0118 9566996

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Music Teacher Further Details

Music Teacher
Further Details