Does anybody have any advice for classes that are particularly rowdy? There is one class where students simply will not listen to me, but behave perfectly as soon as a disciplinarian walks in.

Instrumental Music ed student here. Why do I enjoy teaching choir more than band LOL. 10 years of playing clarinet to just enjoy choir more than band. It just makes so much more sense to me as a concept.

Send help, loosing my mind

I'm really seeking advice or reassurance, I really adore my job and my district, but I'm stuck. I teach K-6 music and it feels like I have an inordinate amount of meltdowns in my class. This tends to be from students with very high support needs, even those with one-on-one support. I have no doubt it is due to the noise and the social aspect of the subject.

I have set routines and consequences with expectations posted. I have a clear seating chart. I have a quiet signal and expected noise level posters. I have a routine order of activities. I give fidgets. I do somatic brain breaks with familiar activities. My room is open and uncluttered. I vary activities. I allow noise canceling headphones (though most students refuse to wear them). I try to intervene with certain students and allow them sensory breaks.

I review expectations frequently. I make the order of turns clear in turn-based games. I now limit the use of instruments and keep them out of sight when not in use. I've tried stations. We sing the same song every time we line up.

I have been open with the issues and have reached out to my counselor and principal for support (and have documentation to prove it). Even then, it feels like I'm being talked about and not given any additional information. I read the IEPs regularly, but I do not know what happens in the other specials classes. I don't know if there are activities before or after my class that trigger behavior.

One thing that might be a contributing factor is my classroom is very live. It is large enough with all hard surfaces, meaning it does not take much for things to get LOUD. And it isn't tall like the gym or cafeteria, meaning sound does not dissipate out. I'm speaking to my principal about remedies for this.

Is this how it is, or am I missing something?

Hello!! For context, I have a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance, not Music Ed. I have been substitute teaching full time since August.

I have accepted a longterm substitute teacher position (10 weeks!) for a middle school choir teacher beginning in January. The teacher has been so helpful making sure I feel prepared, but I wanted to ask for any advice you all might have for someone in my position. I will have three choirs (split into sixth, seventh, and eighth grades), all doing 2-part music with some more splits in the 8th grade group. The sixth graders will be brand new to choir, so I plan on spending lots of time teaching solfège/sheet music/rounds/etc, but in general— what are some things you would go back and tell yourself/do differently in your first year? Any tips, tricks, or words of encouragement are welcome 🙂

I am very excited and I know the teacher is just happy that I have a music background and will keep the kids up and singing while she’s gone, but I’m a perfectionist and want to do my best so I’m a lil nervous lol

Hello,

I'm a first year high school teacher at a really big football school, and recently we had a game scheduled for the day after thanksgiving. I was out of town for this game, and I'm not going to have my band travel without me when I'm responsible for their safety and their equipment and instrument's safety, as well as accountable for their actions.

I got an email on Thanksgiving Day (Why I check my emails during break is beyond me) that really really bummed me out. One of the parents who I've come to really appreciate and who's been very helpful and kind to me in my limited time in this position sent me a particularly nasty email where he accused me of making this "about me" and that I need to "put the kids first and foremost" and like, that just really bums me the fuck out. I work my ass off for these kids, and I fucking love them, it's the honor of my life to teach them. I made what I thought was a very reasonable decision and this parent just comes for my fucking jugular.

So my question for the music teachers who have been around the block for awhile, or the ones who have been teaching for a few years; how long did it take for you to not let what some insane parent thinks affect you personally and hurt your feelings?

I h ope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

I just want to log back on and get some nostalgia from when I used it. Does anybody have a code for the website? I'm trying to get access to the one where you can go to the music shop and like go around and make music in the town. Thanks in advance

BTW not a music teacher but thought this would be the right place to post

I am a currently a middle school choir director in Texas… might move to Virginia next year. What is the choir world like over there?

I'm making an instructional series on /r/Counterpoint to help get people started on species counterpoint and hopefully demystify some of the process. Counterpoint is one of best ways to hone your compositional skills and to learn how to use melody.

To that end, I present to you a thread I put together discussing what a cantus firmus is and how to write one. Many counterpoint resources start you off straight away with writing two-voice textures, but learning to write for a single voice is a great way to work on handling melodic dissonance and balancing phrasing. I hope you find it useful, and feel free to drop your attempts in the comments. I'll try to evaluate them for you.

I am looking for the curriculum/teacher guides for kindermusik. i don’t need the whole kit, just the lesson guide. (or honestly any other preschool lesson guide) i’m having a hard time finding lesson plans/content ideas.

Hello

I'm in my 4th year of college for a music education degree but I'm struggling a lot. My first two years were a struggle for normal reasons and I had (have) some mental health issues I am dealing with that made it difficult to keep up with the demand of the degree. My third year was a complete throw away, as I failed most of my fall semester and completely took the winter semester off. Now on my fourth year, I am completing some gen Ed classes at the community college.

I guess I am here for encouragement or sympathy or something along those lines. I know a lot of music ed majors take more than four years, but it looks like I have more than another year or two to go and it's daunting. Especially with my family always asking me how much more I have to go. I really really want this degree.

Some resources, words of wisdom and/or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hey everyone! If this isn’t allowed please delete, I’m looking for advice on my plans post-graduation.

I’m currently a junior in a music education program right now, and this year I picked up an RA position at my university. As I’ve been working throughout the semester, I’ve realized that I still want to teach, but I also like the idea of working for university housing/student affairs at some point in my career as well.

My dilemma is this: I could graduate and either go straight to grad school or into teaching. If I go straight to grad school, I could get a position with the university, essentially attend for free and use that time to not only grab a masters but to save money for later in my life. However, I’ve been told it’s much harder to find a middle/high school job with a masters and no experience.

Or, I could go straight to teaching, and if I feel financially stable/want to change it up, go back to school. My drawback is being that starting a career/life somewhere, I’d find it hard to drop what I feel I’ve built up just to go back to school and “reset” my life. I also am in a long term relationship, so should I go immediately into a career, there’s a chance my partner would move with me and then I’d be uprooting both of our lives to go back to school.

Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

Basically the title. Trying to rebuild a pep band at my school that has had some issues with the music department before I got here this year. Most of my band students are 7/8, but there's interest in doing some pep band. Most of my students have never looked at something above a grade 1 and struggle with sight reading stuff from a method book. Now, I'm working on this in class, but with interest in doing pep band, I'd like to try and get that moving a bit to give a new source of motivation for my students.

I've got a great pep band library, but it's easiest tunes are all about a year above my best players at the moment. I'm taking the national anthem from OSFABB to give you an idea of where my students are at. Even JW Peppers "easy" rating is pushing it for us. We can't even play the school song at the moment (I'm making an easier arrangement for them over break as I enjoy arranging). I will say, The Hey Song is thankfully achievable as long as the trumpet part is dropped an octave.

So, anyone got some really easy pep band arrangements or easy tunes that would work for a pep band setting?

Looking for some quality rep to play with my freshman group. For some context we have a heavy flute, clarinet, trumpet, and percussion (10 percussionists) section. The low brass section is essentially non-existent. 3 trombone players (2 are new to the instrument), no euphoniums, and 2 tuba players (both new to the instrument). Any suggestions? I’ve been hanging around grade 3 music at the moment.

Edit: I’m specifically curious if anyone uses individual floor cushions, and if so, I’d like to know more (pros/cons, type, cost, etc). I’m open to hearing other suggestions, but without going into too much detail about my space and my students, trust me when I say the big rugs don’t work.

Y’all I am at my wits’ end trying to find a sitting solution for my music room. The floor is tile, but there’s a big rectangle rug, so at the beginning of the year I got some Sit Spots and thought it would be fine. It wasn’t— the first problem was that the rug is too small to fit all the students, the second problem was that it’s the kind of rug where the Sit Spots won’t stick. Okay, fine.

My second solution was to roll up the rug and put vinyl number stickers directly on the floor. Those lasted about three weeks before they were picked to hell and back. Going on some advice I’d seen on a forum somewhere, I doubled down on the stickers. I replaced them all, put clear contact paper over them for extra protection, and started a contest to incentivize the students not to pick.

Six weeks later, they’re shredded again (contest obviously was not the motivator I hoped it would be), and I have thoroughly lost the will to replace them.

Does anyone do cushions? Any recommendations for brand or style? I have an idea of what I’d like, but this whole experience has taught me that I don’t know what I don’t know. Like how it never dawned on me that kids will just absentmindedly pick at stuff forever no matter how many reminders they get. (I’m hoping that they don’t figure out a way to pick a cushion apart but we’ll see…)

How much are private instrumental music lessons currently? How much do you charge for your own independent studio? Let me know your variables…your education/experience level, traveling to the student or vice versa, or even virtual lessons. I know geographic location (cost of living) is a huge variable. I’m in Western New York State. I’m curious about all locations, but especially mine.

I am researching to make sure I do not under charge or overcharge.

I am teaching at a music school that does lots of recruitment and all my scheduling. I know what they charge and pay me. I am researching to come up with a price for students I take on outside of this music school, where I do my own recruitment and scheduling. Yes, I know to charge more, but how much more?

Read on for some specifics about me… I’m a versatile performer of many genres with a masters of music and music education. I have close to 30 years teaching experience, and over 20 years, teaching music in public schools. I teach all ages, including adults. I’ve been adjudicating regional competitions for a few years.

Hey all, I am a high school band/orchestra director in my first year at this school, and my program is currently quite small. I have two band classes, one is 13 kids (almost all freshman) the other being 12 kids (about half freshman). My orchestra class is 11 kids, and I have 8 kids in my chamber strings class. My predecessor was very old and cranky by the end, and from what I've gathered the only reason the program is so small is because he didn't really retain kids for more than a year or two (hence why my program is such a high percentage of freshman).

I feel like I've done a good job with culture and music so far, and genuinely think I will retain almost all the kids I currently have next year, which would almost double the program in size already. However, I can't help but think there's more I could be doing for recruitment and getting the program to grow. What are some things you all have done for high school recruitment that you've found to be successful?

Hello! I am just curious. I have a degree in Computer Science and currently working in that field but I minored in Music as well.

Would it be possible to become a music teacher by getting a masters? What are the requirements?

I want to be a band director but I'm having trouble seeing how to get there. I am a Senior in high school in Houston, TX and what I need help to figure out is how I want to go about this.

First off whether I should go to a 4 year college or a start with community college. (In State College)

Second, which college (Though I've done some research it still is pretty hard for me to find the right one as well as trying to figure out if it will be effectively help me in my journey toward this degree.)

Please Help

Would anyone happen to have a Guitar program that one could follow teaching a mixed class of middle schoolers/high schoolers? It should focus more on chord theory and pop/rock rather than fingerstyle and traditional. Thank you!

Hello! I'm currently a junior-year music education major with a vocal emphasis. I'm soaking in a lot of information about becoming a music teacher, but there are obviously some holes in my course work that I really don't want to find out the hard way lol (I found this out tonight when a panel of student teachers came back to my university to talk to current music ed majors about their experiences). I have Audible and don't mind buying physical copies over time!

The things I want to learn about:

• General musicianship/psychology around music, especially for childhood and adolescence
• Musical/teaching philosophies
• How to teach ALL voice types (especially men's voices and changing voices - I'm a soprano and have no idea how to approach this area)
• General advice for classroom management, organizing yourself as a teacher, etc.
• A good book of choral/vocal warmups
• General vocal technique and how to approach teaching voice to inexperienced or young singers

Whatever has helped you, whether you teach instrumentals or voice, I'd love if you could share the knowledge!! I hear that you can't truly know all about teaching until you actually do it, but I'd like to let some ideas marinate and take in as many ideas as possible. Thank you!

I’m currently a senior applying to colleges and every time a relative, family friend, or any adult asks what I’m majoring in, I often lie and reply with Nursing or Business. For context, I’m Vietnamese where many parents expect their children to become doctors or lawyers. My parents are fine with me majoring in music still pushing me to double major but I’m just afraid of getting looked upon as a failure by relatives and family friends. I want to do music ed and love teaching, but I don’t want to keep on lying about it. Did y’all experience the same thing and how did you become open about it?

Hi all,

Looking to see if there are alternate versions of the “This is My Violin” song (tune of Lightly Row) for violas and/or cellos. Thanks!

Working almost 10 years full time as self-employed music-educator now and since like 3 years I feel like I lost all motivation to make music myself, be it playing, practising or composing.

For my job I give it my all but for myself I am completely unable to sit down and play/compose or even practise stuff that goes beyond what’s needed for my job.

In my heart I really love music and thought about getting a band again or spend more time composing but I just can’t sit down and do it and I don’t know why.

Anyone else who teaches as their main job feels the same?

I’m currently attending online at my university due to being active duty military but I plan to transfer in person once I’m out of the military. I’m currently working on an Education Studies Bachelor’s which does not include a teaching license. My advisor is saying that I can complete this bachelor’s in Education Studies and then do a Music Education Masters to become licensed to teach. This doesn’t sound right to me but that’s why I’m asking here lol. My goal is to teach HS band so if I can end up with the Music ED masters in this way, that’s what I’m going to do. My state is Kansas if that matters. Thanks in advance!

I’m still pretty fresh out of undergrad, so this is a thought a bit down the line.. but eventually I would like to go back to grad school for master’s. How do people go about paying for this? Is there financial aid of some sort available? Or is it just more debt, or what???

Hey all, I'm currently a sophomore in highschool and I'm interested in becoming a music teacher after I graduate. (Preferably, I'd like to teach a music appreciation class or history of rock) Music is something I am incredibly passionate about. I am a completely self-taught guitarist and I've been playing consistently for about 3 years and I do not plan on stopping. I play every single day and I always try to practice for AT LEAST one hour a day, but often, it ends up being more than that when i have the free time. I'd say my skill level is intermediate, well on my way to advanced. Playing guitar is just what I love to do; any free time I have usually goes into my instrument. The problem is, I'm not formally educated in music! Like I said, im completely self taught. I know chords and i read tabs. I don't know music theory and I can't really read music. I can read very basic treble and bass clef and that's it. I've never been in band or choir, and the last time I took a music class was in 8th grade, because I had to. Is my dream of becoming a music teacher achievable? How can I prepare myself to pursue such a career path with the knowledge I have right now? I'm so passionate about music and I can't imagine myself being happy in another career field.

EDIT: thank you for the responses everyone!! Lots of you are telling me I should get into lessons ASAP, and while I definitely appreciate the advice, I don't think that's possible for me. I probably shouldn't have left this out initially, but I just don't have the time, money, and resources to be able to take private lessons. Im definitely going to consider joining some kind of music class next year at my school though!! You have all given me a lot to think about, thank you! :)

Any help for middle school kids? Thanks!

Question for those of you in a University setting who have sat in on search committee's. What are the most common questions you ask candidates for a faculty position besides: 1) Tell me about your approach to teaching and 2) What courses can you teach.

Thank you

Hello, all. I am a senior in high school currently preparing for my college auditions. I am looking to go into music ed, and I have a couple of pieces picked out. I am a Euphonium player, and can play comfortably at about piece levels 4/4.5.

Colleges I am auditioning to (currently, the list may expand):

• Cleveland State University
• Bowling Green State University*
• Ohio Northern University (?)

BGSU is literally my dream school, so I am sincerely hoping I get in.

Pieces I own:

• Capuzzi Andante and Rondo
• Faure Aprees un Reve
• Marcello Sonata in F Major
• Rachmaninoff Vocalise
• Vaughn Williams Six Studies in English Folksong

All of these pieces were taken from the BGSU “Suggested Solos” list. I need one technical and one lyrical piece.

Other Requirements:

• Scales
• Sight reading
• Personal Interviews

Soonest Audition: January 25th

Now, for my questions for you all. I am wondering what pieces I should learn. I was thinking Aprees un Reve and the rondo in Andante and Rondo. I believe I can learn Aprees un Reve fairly quickly, but the rondo is quite difficult. I know my scales fairly well but even then the G flat key signature is really proving to be a challenge. Do you all think I have time to learn it, or should I pick a new piece? I can order another if needed, but I do not want to wait until the last second. I know I am cutting it somewhat close but I need to prepare.

TL;DR — What pieces should I play for my audition in late January, and do I have time?