How To Become a Music Teacher

Learn more about how to become a music teacher. Prepare to instill a love of music in students by earning your music education degree at GCU.

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Read time 6 minutes

Published On Nov 25, 2024

In This Article:

What Is a Music Teacher?
What Does a Music Teacher Do?
What Education and Experience Does a Music Teacher Need?
Best Degrees for Music Teachers
What Skills Does a Music Teacher Need?
How Much Do Music Teachers Make?
Where Do Music Teachers Work?
Advancement Opportunities for Music Teachers
Start Your Musical Journey at GCU

What Is a Music Teacher?

Music is an art form that can transcend barriers, whether linguistic or cultural. It allows for a wide range of self-expression in a virtually limitless number of styles and types. Music teachers are professionals who are passionate about music and seek to inspire their students to learn about and love music, as well.

Music education has been proven to offer considerable benefits to students. For example, schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate compared to schools without music education.¹ Additionally, students who participate in music education programs are more likely to score higher on reading and spelling tests, demonstrate stronger attention spans, and later in life, report the lowest lifetime use of substances — among many other benefits.¹ If you’re passionate about music education, take a look at how to become a music teacher and consider if this career path could be right for you.

90.2%

Estimated graduation rate when schools implement music education programs¹

What Does a Music Teacher Do?

Music teachers are responsible for instructing their students how to play instruments and/or sing. They teach students about music theory and musical techniques and may even give lessons on the historical context of various pieces of music. Above all, music teachers strive to instill a lifelong passion for music in their students. Tasks will generally include:^2,3

Lesson Planning

Planning music curriculum and individual lessons is an important part of a music teacher’s job.

Assessments

Teachers must assess their students’ progress in performance and their understanding of music theory and techniques.

Performance Planning

Music teachers plan, coordinate and lead students through performances.

Music Instruction

Music teachers may deliver lessons to groups of students or just one student at a time.

Adjustments

If students are struggling to make progress, music teachers may adjust their teaching style to suit individual needs.

Field Trip Coordination

Sometimes music teachers may take their students on field trips to professional musical performances or related venues.

Music education enables students to both express themselves and develop musical abilities that may give them a sense of self-confidence and accomplishment. Music teachers are instrumental in guiding and nurturing their students' musical skills.

What Education and Experience Does a Music Teacher Need?

If you have a passion for music and wish to make it your life’s work, then review how to become a music teacher below. You’ll get the answers to questions like, What degree do you need to be a music teacher? and Are any professional certifications required? Although the specific career path may look a little different from teacher to teacher, an aspiring music teacher generally needs the following credentials:

High School Diploma

Since high school music teachers are generally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree, a high school diploma is the first step toward pursuing this career.⁴ Naturally, you will want to build up as much music-related experience as possible. Take as many music classes as possible in high school, join the band and choral groups, get involved in musical performances and spend plenty of time practicing your techniques.

College Degree

While a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued teaching license may allow you to teach in high school, a master’s or PhD in your specific field is typically required to teach at the postsecondary level.^4,5 When planning your college education, look for a music education program that combines advanced instruction and training in music, along with curriculum on pedagogy and musical instruction. You should also ensure that the degree program meets the teacher licensure or certification requirements for the state in which you plan to teach. While you are working toward earning your degree in music education, look for ways to get involved in musical productions, groups and similar opportunities.

Internships

If you’ve chosen a degree that meets state licensure or certification requirements, it should include one or more student teaching experiences. While not an internship, a student teaching or practicum/field experience is similar in that it allows you to observe music teachers at work and participate in classroom instructional activities.³ Use this opportunity to learn as much as you can about effective classroom management and instructional techniques.

Entry-Level Roles

Once you’ve obtained your teaching license, you may be able to start applying to music teacher positions.

Professional Certifications

To teach in public schools, you'll need to obtain a state-issued teaching license or certification. Each state establishes its own requirements, so be sure to review those requirements and work toward meeting them. You should also determine whether you need to meet continuing education hours to maintain your licensure.³

No matter where your career path takes you, you may find personal fulfillment in inspiring students and nurturing their musical talents. Sharing your knowledge and passion can help create a lasting impact on the next generation of musicians.

Best Degrees for Music Teachers

Arguably, the most important qualification an aspiring music teacher needs is a passion for music. However, music teachers are also expected to have a firm grasp of music theory and musical techniques, as well as instructional and student assessment methodologies. So, what degree do you need to be a music teacher?

It may be beneficial to pursue a degree that emphasizes music education and pedagogy rather than focusing solely on music. A music education degree can serve as a teacher preparation program while also teaching advanced music techniques.

A typical music education degree may cover topics such as:

Piano, strings and brass
Percussion and woodwinds
Music theory
Child development
Music instruction methods
Choral pedagogy

GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Music Teachers

Future music teachers can benefit from being able to play multiple instruments, as they must be able to teach different instruments to their students. They also need to know how to deliver effective lesson plans in an engaging way.² Beyond musical knowledge and ability, music teachers also need a variety of soft skills, like organization, creativity and communication.³ To work toward this type of career, you may wish to consider the following degree programs:

Bachelor’s Programs

Other Programs

What Skills Does a Music Teacher Need?

To be effective in the classroom, music teachers need to be able to draw upon a variety of hard and soft skills. Putting these skills to work may allow teachers to have a positive and lasting impact on their students, some of whom may themselves go on to pursue music-related careers. Some of the most important skills for music teachers include the following:^2,3

Musical ability
Communication
Patience
Time management
Organization
Leadership
Creativity
Decision-making

How Much Do Music Teachers Make?

$80,360

Median annual wage for postsecondary art, drama and music teachers as of May 2023⁶

$65,220

Median annual wage for all types of high school teachers as of May 2023⁷

The salary for a music teacher can vary depending on many factors, including employer, years of experience and geographic location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for postsecondary art, drama and music teachers was $80,360 as of May 2023.⁶ While the BLS doesn't track data specifically for music teachers at the K-12 level, it does state that the median annual wage for all types of high school teachers was $65,220 as of May 2023.⁷

Where Do Music Teachers Work?

Music teachers may pursue employment across several settings, including the following:^2,3

Public Schools

Music teachers have the opportunity to work with students across all grade levels in public schools, from kindergarten through grade 12.

Music Conservatory

At music conservatories, teachers often focus on training students to pursue careers as professional musicians.

Community Centers

Some community centers may hire music teachers to implement programs for students.

Independent Studio

Some music teachers may set up their own business, serving as private music tutors who teach classes or individual lessons.

Private Schools

Private K-12 schools also employ music teachers to teach group classes and sometimes individual lessons.

Music Schools

Compared to conservatories, music schools typically focus on a broad range of academics, as well as musical instruction.

Afterschool Programs

Teaching music in an afterschool program can offer enrichment opportunities to children.

Advancement Opportunities for Music Teachers

Music teachers may find their careers rewarding and decide to remain teachers until retirement. Music teachers who enjoy the performance aspect of music may decide to become professional musicians. Others might prefer to become music composers if they have a talent for writing and arranging music. Directing is another career advancement opportunity that may suit teachers who enjoy working on musical theater productions.⁷

Start Your Musical Journey at GCU

If you feel called to serve your community as a music teacher, you have the opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future at Grand Canyon University. Apply today for enrollment in the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education-Choral: Voice degree or the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education-Instrumental: Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, or Strings program. Embrace the chance to inspire the next generation of musicians and make a lasting impact.

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¹NAMM Foundation. (2017, Feb. 9). Facts and Quotes about Music Education. Retrieved Sept. 19, 2024.

²Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, June 21). What Does a Music Teacher Do? (With Salary and Skills). Indeed. Retrieved Aug. 15, 2024.

³Thompson, H. (2023, Dec. 5). How to Become a Music Teacher (Plus Skills and Salary). Indeed. Retrieved Aug. 15, 2024.

⁴ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a High School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Sept. 19, 2024.

⁵ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Postsecondary Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Sept. 19, 2024.

⁶The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Postsecondary Art, Drama and Music Teachers, as of May 2023, retrieved on Sept. 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary art, drama and music teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

⁷The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) High School Teachers, as of May 2023, retrieved on Sept. 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as high school teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

⁸BestAccreditedColleges. (n.d.). Music Teacher Advancement Opportunities. Retrieved Aug. 19, 2024.

Approved and verified accurate by the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Media on Nov. 7, 2024.

How To Become a Music Teacher

What Is a Music Teacher?

What Does a Music Teacher Do?