People with a passion and background in music and an enthusiasm for the art of teaching are perfect candidates for a career in music education. Teachers nurture the minds and spirits of their students, regardless of the subject taught. Musical teachers, whether for chorale or instruments nurture not only the minds of their students, but foster their innate creativity just waiting to be harnessed.

Over the last few decades, studies have shown that music helps improve memory by stimulating the brain in ways only music can. Music programs encourage discipline, increase motivation, and spur creative juices, regardless of age.

In a 2011 study conducted by Moreno, Freisen, and Bialystok, 60 children were studied over a 20 day period. Divided into two groups, those children assigned to a training program with musical arts showed significant advancement in reading skills, as opposed to those that were not exposed to musical arts.¹ As a music teacher in early education programs, teaching music to a young child not only gives them a creative outlet, but creates a path for improved literacy, and a healthier educational future.

Music education careers are not limited to primary schools. People who choose music education as a career can have a plethora of options available to them after graduation. Whether the teacher’s passion leads them to young children, middle school, high school, or collegiate levels, both private and public school administrators are realizing the benefits of music education for their students long term growth.

Individuals that have focused on a music education degree can also choose to teach private classes for any age. More and more adults are picking up instruments from their childhood or starting for the first time their creative passion for music. The 2005 study “Playing a Musical Instrument Reverses Stress on the Genomic Level”; found stress levels in adults significantly decreased with group musical lessons.² In the first hour of this two-hour study, adults were given a frustrating puzzle that induced stress. In the second hour, the group was divided into three groups. One of the groups continued the frustrating puzzle; another group was encouraged to read magazines or newspapers, and the last group took part in a group keyboard musical activity. The findings indicated that the group that took part in the musical activity reversed stress more quickly than the other two groups. Music education professionals can help change adult lives with their skills and talents and help in managing stress as a vital part in staying physically and mentally healthy;

A career in music education marries a passion for teaching and artistic talent. Music lessons induce inspiration, settle the soul, evoke emotion, and foster creativity. Students of all ages and backgrounds benefit from musical education.

¹Moreno S., Friesen D. & Bialystok E. 2011. “Effect of Music Training on Promoting Preliteracy Skills: Preliminary Causal Evidence.” Music Perception.

²Cathering Pocock. (2005, February 2). “Playing a Musical Instrument Reverses Stress on the Genomic Level.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from:

Gone are the days where students just play sheet music over and over again to learn to play a musical instrument. Today, the advent of advanced technologies has provided additional learning tools for music teachers to employ. For example, in Billings, Montana, students are filmed and recorded while they practice. Utilizing these recording methods has provided the students immediate feedback on what they are doing, and allows the teacher to quickly illustrate how to improve.

Children of today are surrounded by technology whether in the form of computers, smartphones, or video games. Technology has captured their minds and as a result, some schools are utilizing tablet computers such as the iPad to help engage students in the process of learning music and producing music.

State-of-the-art technology, such as the GarageBand program can be applied directly to music education and have proven to be effective tools for music instructors for its ability to record performances, and for students, it is an easy interface to learn editing and mixing, and variety of sounds to create music. The iPad app Notion, produced by Notion Music allows users to easily create musical scores by having students directly write music onto a music sheet and immediately hear what they have written.

Technology for Music Education, “TI:ME”, is a non-profit educational organization that helps school systems and teachers employ technology into the classrooms to help inspire imagination and engage students in learning music.² The organization believes that “Music technology has the advantage of providing instant feedback and allowing students with varying levels of ability to succeed.” While the organization does emphatically state that musical concepts are the foundation for a good music education program, technology does assist in keeping students interested and motivated.

Teaching in today’s high-tech world can present challenges for instructors. The age old practice of reading and writing alone, does not engage the brains of young students. Our world is filled with an abundance of stimuli and immediate gratification. Harnessing the powers of technology in the classroom, especially for musical education can assist in keeping students excited and anxious for learning about music.

Humanitarian, musician and vocalist of U2, Bono is quoted as saying “music can change the world because it can change people.” In the same way, a teacher has the opportunity to change the world with every student they teach.

¹Moreno S., Bialystok E., Barac R., Schellenberg G., Cepeda N. & Chau T. 2011. Short-Term Music Training Enhances Verbal Intelligence and Executive Function. Psychological Science

Retrieved from: http://www.ti-me.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=176:make-time-in-your-classroom&catid=1:latestnews&Itemid=157

Students of today must balance both jobs and family responsibilities while working towards their advanced degrees. Many cannot commit to traditional classroom schedules, and need the flexibility of online learning. Additionally, now students across the country can receive degrees from universities outside of their community, allowing them to choose the right degree program for their specific goals and needs.

People seeking advanced degrees are more focused and motivated than many students just entering college. While online classes and degree programs do require more self-motivation, most thrive in this setting.

Technology has changed the dynamics of online learning drastically over the last decade. At inception, many courses were just adapted from old-style correspondence courses. Today however, instant messaging, web video and other online tools have created a real classroom experience for students providing for better communication with instructors and classmates leading to collaboration and a true community. Many programs encourage or even require students to participate in peer study groups to foster this dynamic. Students choosing an online education program no longer have to be concerned they will be learning in a vacuum, with the advent of technology, and the development of coursework specific for an online environment have helped provide for a true community learning environment.

Barbara Means, an educational psychologist and lead author of the 2010 report released by the U.S. Department of Education, regarding online education stated, “The study’s major significance lies in demonstrating that online learning today is not just better than nothing – it actually tends to be better than conventional instruction.“¹ This result is due in part to the flexibility inherent for online learning programs.

Busy professional seeking to advance their careers are turning more and more to online continuing education and degree programs not solely because of flexibility, but also due to the quality of education they can receive. Coursework and curriculum are now being specifically created to harness the power of online distance learning.

No longer does distance, time or schedule prevent professionals from obtaining advanced degrees. Online graduate programs provide quality education, student peer interaction, and the flexibility and convenience required in today’s hectic world.

¹Means B, Toyama Y, Murphy R, Bakia M, & Jones K. September 2010. Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. U.S. Department of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Policy and Program Studies Service.

The Berklee College of Music’s Career Development Center compiled a detailed report on positions and salaries available in the music industry.¹ Their compilation from a variety of sources show that the salary range for each position can vary widely based not only on experience of the teacher, but also the size and type of organization. Choir director salaries, for example, can range from $20,000 – $85,000 per year. Public school teachers focusing on music education can find positions with salaries anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000 per year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011“², indicates the median annual wage for postsecondary art, drama and music teachers is $62,330 per year. Regionally, the report shows that with a few exceptions, the highest annual wage for postsecondary music teachers occurs in the northeast and California, with annual mean wages reaching $120,000 per year. Areas of the Midwest and Northwest generally have lower salaries than the rest of the nation.

This report also indicates that the highest saturation of employment opportunities is available in the states of California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts and Ohio. These states have annual mean wages of $60,610 to $105,420. For postsecondary music education professors, the BLS reports median wages of $69,010 per year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook to be “good to excellent” until at least 2016 for teachers in general in both primary and secondary schools. In general, the BLS predicts that teaching professionals can expect a 15% job growth rate, outpacing other professions and industries in the same timeframe.

As more and more adults turn to musical instruction to reignite their passion and creativity, private instruction rates will continue to rise. With recent studies showing playing an instrument or singing can significantly reduce stress; adults are choosing to take private lessons. Private musical instructors, depending on background, instrument and location range from $30 an hour to over $150 per hour.

Whether Master of Music Education graduates want to pursue teaching music to children, adults, or seniors, these reports indicate that there are a wide variety of positions and salaries that could be available. With the predicted increase in job growth for teachers nationally and with the increasing opportunities for private instruction, job opportunities should continue to rise over the next decade.

¹The Career Development Center. Salary Ranges for U.S. Music Positions. Berklee.net/cd

²Bureau of Labor Statistics ‘Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011. 25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. Retrieved from: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251121.htm. May 7, 2012.

³Baird A, Samson S. Neuropsychology Review. 2009 Mar; 19(1): 85-101. Epub 2009 Feb. 13. “Memory for Music in Alzheimer’s Disease: Unforgettable?”

Individuals with a passion for teaching, for shaping the minds and motivating students are needed today more than ever. A Master of Education degree gives teachers a broad background from curriculum to administration and is intended for educators that strive to increase their knowledge, for the purpose of expanding their career options. A Master of Music in Music Education degree on the other hand, provides the core teaching models of a Master of Education, but partners it with specific musical educational techniques.

Teachers with a musical background will learn practical applications of education theory coupled with specific instrumental, choral, and music history in a Master of Music in Music Education degree curriculum. A degree focused on music education often includes courses on philosophy, sociology, history and psychology of music. Additionally, electives may include various musical genres from classical to contemporary and courses on trends, research and techniques for music instructors. All of this partners together to help teachers create a positive learning environment for students to learn music.

For those that pursue a Master of Education degree, the curriculum has a broader focus for instructors that opt to teach subjects other than music. Most graduate programs include theoretical teaching strategies, strategies for teaching performance, technology use in the classroom and school organizational change. This degree program can assist with career growth in education management, curriculum development, and other avenues.

The legendary Ray Charles once said “I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene.” At an early age, he showed promise and by the age of 15, he was playing professionally. While not a typical life, his talent was fostered during his early childhood at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Ray Charles’ music teachers made the difference in his life, and in all of ours. Today, professionals graduating with a Master of Music in Music Education degree have the opportunity to challenge, motivate and teach the next Ray Charles, Les Paul, or Louis Armstrong.

Primary and secondary schools have music teaching positions whether for general music classes, band, specific instrument instruction, or choral. Teaching music in school, whether in the private sector or public sector, helps children develop skills not only in music, but also increases literacy, physical coordination and general cognitive skill. A 2008 study conducted by Dr. Sylvain Moreno, a leading researcher in cognitive neuroscience, concluded that there is a “positive transfer from music to speech“. This nine month study of non-musician children found that after musical training, non-musical brain functions including reading and linguistics increased.¹ Teaching music to children isn’t just about the music, it also assists children in other skills, setting them on a path for educational success.

Music teachers in high schools may teach a general class in addition to leading the marching band, chorus, orchestra or ensemble. In some high schools, regional and national competitions may be the norm, and music teachers help focus and prepare students for the dynamics of live performances. Both private and public school music programs, of all grades, benefit from highly qualified and passionate music teachers.

In addition to a knowledge of music and performance, earning a Master’s in Music Education is helpful for opening your own studio, franchising or working as a studio teacher in an already established school. Being involved with a music studio can be a fantastic way to use your creative energies and give back to the music community by teaching your love of music. The earning potential depends on the region and other qualifications. 

With an advanced degree and a good background in teaching, a career as a music consultant or supervisor, combines music and visual media. An extensive knowledge in music, teaching and the current trends in both areas, as well as being a good decision maker and adviser are pivotal to this career option. Typically, a music supervisor handles the process of choosing, negotiating, and incorporating pieces of music into visual media (such as a television show or movie), and acts as a liason between the creative and business ends of this process.² This position is most active within media based industries, including live events, television, film, advertising, theatre, and video gaming.³ Music supervisors may work within production companies, film studios, networks, music supervision companies, or do freelance work. Some music consultants/supervisors earn as much as $70,000 a year, again depending on qualifications and location.

Outside of jobs in schools and universities, there are a number of career options available for music instructors. Local choir and ensemble groups need music directors and private instructors are needed for all ages.

When the art of teaching comes together with music, teachers and students benefit emotionally, physically and spiritually. Wherever a Master of Music Education graduate’s passion lies, there are students willing and eager for instruction.

¹Moreno S., Marques C., Santos A., Santos M., Castro S., L. & Besson M. 2008. Musical training influences linguistic abilities in 8-year-old children: More evidence for brain plasticity. Cerebral Cortex, 19 (3), 712-723.

² Baskerville, David, PhD. Music and Career Guide 2006. Sage Publications, CA.

³ Wentz, Brook. Hey, that’s my music!: Music supervision, licensing and content acquisition. 2007.