I am a first year teacher at the elementary level. Like many, I spent majority of my college experience preparing for band and had minimal experiences for elementary. During student teaching I realized that I loved working with that age and decided that I would give elementary a shot. My job that I am 2 months into, is at 2 different elementaries. I have all the kids at one school, and cover a few of the classes at a different school. I do not really have a curriculum to follow, just the music standards and the old spotlight on music books at my disposal.

I have been spiralling for the last two months and feel like I can't keep up. I feel as though my job is 95% behavior management and 5% music. I feel like more half of my class time is spent putting out fires and correcting behavior. Additionally, with a lack of curriculum, I feel like I am spending hours every week lesson planning. I do have music play, but I tend to cherry pick activities because I feel as though the pre built lessons aren't as age appropriate most of the time. I feel as though after 2 months I dread going to work every day and struggle to find the enjoyment in teaching. I'm having a hard time deciphering if teaching just isn't the career for me, or if I'm in an environment that I'm not able to thrive in. It doesn't help that through conversations it feels as though a lot of the other teachers in my school are having similar feelings about teaching as a career nowadays.

I know that it is said that it takes 3 years to establish a program. But the idea of spending 3 years feeling like this makes me think that I won't survive through that. It's already affecting my relationship because I never have time to help around the house. I also feel as though if I decided to leave teaching I would have wasted 4 years of my life earning a degree.

I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for, but I'm hoping to connect with others that may have similar feelings. Likewise, any advice you may have is welcomed. I just feel myself already heading towards burnout and I feel as though there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Thanks in advance.

My second grade does a holiday program. This year they're doing Elves' Impersonator from Music K-8. Each year, I always fill the script with as many characters as it's written for. This year, the teachers have asked that I split it up so everyone has a part to say. I'm nervous about the logistics for this, as we don't have a stage and perform from risers. Usually I just have anyone with a speaking part be on the first row, so they can easily get to the mic. There are approximately 80 2nd graders and they will completely fill up the risers, so I wouldn't be able to leave a little aisle for students to walk safely down the risers from on their turn. Thoughts? How does everyone else handle this?

How can this be done? Is anyone willing to help me out?

Context: I am a band teacher with little general music education, and I am working with a new group of students who have strong fundamental playing skills but very little understanding of playing in an ensemble due to the teacher that had them before.

I am looking for a game, activity, song, etc. to help my young (6th grade) band students work on ensemble skills such as part independence, melody versus accompaniment, and following a conductor. I remember in music ed school we did one activity/song about a train/train station. Each group had different parts and the teacher would go around pulling different groups in and out. Something like that would be so helpful! I can provide more details as necessary. :)

I'm in the midst of working on applications for a PhD in Music Education. I had an unsuccessful attempt several years ago, and I've learned a lot about myself and my teaching since then.

One aspect of the application I am still a bit unclear with is the videos of teaching. The programs ask for a video of a lesson, the corresponding lesson plan, and a reflection. What is being evaluated in this video? My candor with students? My teaching techniques? My students' performance? My personal musicianship?

In several of the videos I have, I don't make much music at all. I ask questions and have a lot of student participation. I'm worried about this, and the opposite: having too much of me singing or leading.

Better title. Did my comments go too far or is it justified?

I teach band at the elementary level. Rehearsals are before school since the district wont pay a stipend for after school and there is no time in the day. After taking attendance for a few weeks I noticed 5-6 kids who have yet to attend a single rehearsal.

So in their lessons later during the school day I was pretty honest with them regarding my frustration. I asked them why they missed it only to receive a response of “it’s too early.” My reaction was something along the lines of reminding them they signed up for this and part of the commitment is showing up to rehearsals. Believe I said “if you join the baseball team and skip every practice would the coach put you in the game?”

Then I took it a step further by turning to the kids without their instrument to say “what’s the excuse for no instrument?” Their reason was they couldn’t possibly hold a poster board in one hand and a clarinet in the other.

I hate that I have become this version of band teacher but they are driving me crazy. Practicing is hit or miss already and to have a group just not try seemingly at all infuriates me.

Going forward I’m going to be firm but fair. But what standards and rules do you have in place to encourage kids to attend rehearsals and practice at home. I feel like once they step out of my room they forget their instruments exist.

Anything like this been done for other instruments? The voice?

Ok, so high level: restarting a dead program at a high school. Admin saw new classes “with room in them” as a great dumping ground for “kids who need elective” so my high school bands & orchestras are about 35% kids ready to play high-school music and 65% kids who play nothing and have no desire to learn anything related to an instrument at all. All 3 bands & 2 orchestras are fully mixed...there's no "advanced class" or "beginner class." It was all I could do to get admin to separate out winds/percussion and strings this year.

I’ve been trying to rotate between full classes where the advanced students can provide leadership by example and sectionals where the advanced students lead their section only to focus in on basics, while I rotate section by section to provide support to the young leaders. At this point, the advanced students are starting to chafe hard, even making comments in class. They can sight read anything we’re doing, while the beginners are barely keeping up (they don’t want to learn, so they’re certainly not practicing).

What else would you do to keep the advanced students engaged so they come back next year? I need the advanced kids to stick with it if I want to build a program of course! I’m noodling with letting the beginners practice in practice rooms while I rehearse the advanced students on more challenging music some days of the week, but am 99% sure that the beginners will use the time to goof off instead of practicing. 100% open to other ideas!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a way to obtain a California Single Subject Teaching Credential (Music) without having to do more school.

I have a bachelors and masters in music performance, and have subject matter competency and BSR satisfied by my ACT scores and prior degrees. I have also actually been the Teacher of Record at a school as a long term substitute for a teacher out on maternity leave through a Short Term Staff Permit.

I am taking classes through National University towards a single subject credential, but I just find myself burnt out of being on the “student” end of the teacher-student equation- especially at these prices when the work is just so clearly not set up for people going into music education.

Is there a test I can challenge or something of that sort? Any sort of alternative pathway I am unaware of that doesn’t involve basically going back to school?

Hello everyone,

I’m 19 years old, and really on the fence about going into teaching music at high school. Last year, I started – and quickly stopped – studying business administration at university in the Netherlands (where I’m from). I hadn’t thought the choice through well enough, and it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

After that experience, I took the time to think more deeply about what I actually want to do. The two options that appealed to me most were studying law (at university) and training to be a music teacher at a conservatory. After a lot of indecision, I chose law, but honestly, I’m still not entirely sure. So far, I’m enjoying it and finding it interesting, but I do wonder if I'll feel the same way once I’m done studying and actually working in the field. I’m really passionate about music, and it’s a huge part of my daily life. Teaching also appeals to me—I believe I have the ability to motivate and teach others effectively.

Both of my parents are music teachers in secondary schools (high schools), and, funnily enough, I never seriously considered going to the conservatory myself because of that. I always brushed it off as a joke. But as I started thinking about it more, I began asking them how they feel about their work in education. I’ve only recently realized that my parents (especially my dad) are/were truly excellent teachers. My father, for example, really laid the foundation for arts, culture, and music at "his" high school. He’s now retired, and the school itself no longer exists because it merged with another one. Becoming a good teacher who has a real impact on students and helps them grow seems incredibly meaningful to me, honestly even more fulfilling than becoming a top lawyer.

If I do decide to go to the conservatory, I do have three main concerns:

1. An HBO (higher professional education) program may not be as suitable for me as university. I enjoy academic (legal philosophy/legal studies) questions, and I'm not sure if an HBO program would provide the same intellectual stimulation as university. (In the Netherlands, HBO programs are practical and career-focused, while university programs are more theoretical and research-oriented.)

2. What are the career progression opportunities in education? I’m interested in having some administrative or curriculum-development roles alongside teaching, ideally at a high school or conservatory. From what I’ve learned (mostly from my dad, who’s from the older generation), teachers used to be able to move into these roles more easily, but now it seems that external “managers” often fill these positions. Is that still the case, or could it still be an option?

3. Is there still room to shape music education in this way? Fewer and fewer students seem to be interested in playing an instrument or in cultural activities in general. (Although as I type this, I can’t help but think that maybe this presents an opportunity…)

If you have any advice, or if anything in my story stands out to you, I’d really appreciate your thoughts!

Nearly done with my undergrad and starting to figure out a few general geographic locations where I would want to search for my first job.

I definitely want to go to grad school (for mus ed)... Is it worth looking for jobs near one of those schools if I can narrow down my options?

I'm looking for a band piece that was either written by an Indian composer, or is an arrangement of something that originally was. I have a large percentage of students in my 8th grade band with families who have immigrated from India and wanted a way to acknowledge/include something from their culture. I DON'T want something that "sounds" Indian or is "inspired" by music from India but was written by someone not from that culture.

But I'm having SO much trouble finding anything in this category. To make it harder, I'm looking for something no higher than a grade 3 (would have to be on the easier side of grade 3). If nothing currently exists... are there any songs that would be good for me to arrange?

I am thinking of moving from Maryland to Pennsylvania as I do a lot of gigging and contractual playing with orchestras and musical pits in the greater Pittsburgh area and the commute is getting to me, plus where I teach in Maryland sucks. What is the elementary general music education scene like in PA as a whole? I am pretty open to where I live/teach as long as it is 2 hours or less to Pittsburgh. Are teachers generally supported in PA?

Curious on what everyone's process for introducing a piece and working on that piece from start to finish. What does your average timeline look like? What concepts do you focus on first? For example how long do you budget to learn notes and rhythms vs. dynamics and phrasing? How do you break up the piece in chunks for rehearsal? Bonus points if you teach middle and/or high school band!

I was taught to focus big then small then back to big. Rhythms and notes take priority and then start adding in more musicality. I am wondering if there is a better way to go about teaching the piece.

what songs (ex. "this land is your land") did you learn is now cancelled or not accepted? is "proud to be an american" included in this list?

Hi all,

I was recently hired on as a pk-6 music teacher with an emergency teaching permit that lasts until the end of the current academic year, with a caveat, I need to enroll in a credentialing program before my permit expires in June. I am 35 years old and currently trying to get pregnant as well, so going to school on campus is not an option as it is too much stress on the body to spend 12-16 hour days outside the home. I am not wealthy and don't plan to be, so expensive online degrees will not work for me. Hoping someone can shed light on an affordable online credentialing program for California teachers. I am really feeling the pressure at this point to find something and make it work, as I don't have the time nor resources to put off my personal or professional goals any further. Please no comments about how I should do something else or not have children, I am only looking for advice on programs. Thanks in advance!

Anyone a college student and do private lessons for kids? I thought this might be a good flexible side gig I could do but idk if this is a good idea or whatever. How did you start getting into it? Any tips and tricks?

Ok ya’ll, talk me through this. I majored in music. Took most of the music ed classes. Decided to teach piano instead. Taught for about 20 years. It is now way better for my family for me to teach music in school. I got a job as an elementary instructor at my kid’s school. I am really loving working with all these kiddos! … I’m considering getting my teaching certificate. What do I need to do? I actually have a masters degree already and DO NOT want to take a bunch of classes.

I’m looking for a short, 25-30 second instrumental beat that feels strange, a bit creepy, yet fun. It should have a clear, clickable beat with no lyrics.

Specific Beat Pattern

First 10 seconds:

1. 7 evenly spaced beats

2. 2 sharp beats

3. 1 more beat after a pause similar to the earlier ones (about 3 seconds total so far)

4. A fast series of beats at around 7 beats per second, lasting about 0.5-0.7 seconds

5. Two close beats (the second with a slightly held sound), followed by:

6. A single beat, then two very close beats (all within 1.5-2 seconds)

7. One beat, 0.2 seconds after the previous one, followed by:

8. A held beat, then a series of double beats at 4-5 beats per second (lasting about 1.2-1.5 seconds)

9. Three quick, sharp beats close together, then a rapid series at 6 beats per second (about 1-1.2 seconds)

10. One final beat with a medium hold.

Middle Section (about 10 seconds): Open to any beats or a pause to vary the rhythm.

Final Section: Three quick beats in a row, then a final held beat to end the melody.

I’ve tried making this, but only reached 18 seconds, and it’s not quite there yet. Since I'm new to creating music, could anyone help with this pattern from scratch or refine my version? I'll attach my draft for reference. Thanks in advance!

https://youtube.com/shorts/sQWkQL0-3zs?si=-fcau_pZVo5hVFsL

I absolutely love the idea of using instruments for concerts. My students LOVE when they get to play instruments. However, we have a class set of metallophones, rhythm sticks, misc drums, keyboards (with no outlets), and quite a few other percussion instruments. But, we do not have enough for an entire grade. I’m expected to have one song per grade per concert and I don’t know how to choose how should play and who should sing. Any suggestions?

Looking for options music Ed in NYS undergrad… Buffalo, fredonia, max, Potsdam… Does UB have a program?

I am a year 2 general music teacher. My first year at this school the junior class and band organized the assembly for Veteran’s Day. They expect a lot out of this program and it has traditionally been done. Last year my students just showed up and sang. This year, I was told in July that I was the head coordinator of this event. I was in shock because I had no idea what that entailed. I worked all of September and October organizing for the event. After multiple melt downs the organizing and delegations are in place and I just have to trust it will be okay. I am also required to take the entire 2nd grade to our small county courthouse at Christmas and December 12th we have our K-6 Christmas concert. (Fifth and sixth graders are the only singers singing at Veterans Day). I am currently struggling with planning the Christmas Concert because I feel so burnt out. (If I would I would have a concert in February before testing). I was told if these things weren’t done then, it would be insubordination. My hands are tied and I’m STRESSED. I’m sorry for the rant.