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Date Posted: 18:18:28 04/12/04 Mon
Author: J. Padley
Subject: Re: Teacher? or Performer?
In reply to: Bradley Jayne 's message, "Teacher? or Performer?" on 10:50:14 03/31/04 Wed

I will say what everyone said to me when I was trying to decide what to major in during college. I was always told that if I had ANY interest in teaching music, I should get the degree. It is EXTREMELY hard to go back to school in music education and student teach as an adult. Most people don't have the time or money to go back at a later date to get the degree and, in Ohio anyways, you can't do squat with a degree in performance or industry if you want to teach. If you have any desire to teach in the long run, I would highly suggest just going through 4 yrs of music ed and get your teaching degree.

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[> Re: Teacher? or Performer? -- Dr. O, 12:12:08 04/16/04 Fri [1]

I'm not sure I see why this has to be a choice...I know many people who teach in public schools but also maintain active performance schedules. Some play in jazz groups or instrumental ensembles of some sort, others in choral groups, even some who maintain solo careers (though teaching might be pretty hard on the voice for some people.) Maybe what you're thinking is FULL TIME teaching or performing. We all know the difficulty in making a living as a performer; it takes a long time to hone the craft and build a performing career. Almost everyone who performs in serious music has done advanced work of some sort: an advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate), individual work with master teachers, or some type of apprenticeship. Nonetheless, if one is committed to that life and willing to make the sacrifices necessary, it can be very rewarding. I had a trumpet teacher who didn't marry until he retired at 54 from playing in the Boston Symphony..said he couldn't spend enough time working on his playing and having a family, too. I'm glad you don't view teaching as a "fall back" position; I never think that is a healthy attitude, and will generally lead to dissatisfaction. Maybe you should think about the different types of teaching available. For instance, many college teachers maintain an active performance schedule, touring and offering masterclasses. Perhaps something like that would be more to your liking than a public school teaching schedule.
Dr. O.


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[> [> Re: Teacher? or Performer? -- Nickie, 12:34:00 02/02/05 Wed [1]

I say get the ed degree if you can actually see yourself teaching at some time. Don't use teaching as a fall back. My private teacher back home once said to me "Teachers are failures..." and what she meant was that math teachers are failed mathematician, science teachers are failed scientists, and music teachers are failed musicians. I wholeheartedly disagree with this! Teachers are teachers, not failed "anythings". The last thing we went in our classrooms are dispassionate teachers, so don't go into the classroom as a "failed musician."


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[> [> [> Re: Teacher? or Performer? -- Gary, 09:18:15 02/03/05 Thu [1]

"If you can do, do. If you can't do, teach."

Probably one of the biggest lies to be found in any proverb in history. I have to say I agree with you, Nickie--teaching has nothing to do with admitting (or even experiencing) failure. Teaching is something of a noble profession, I think, and that's not only because I intend to be a teacher; I have always had a high respect for those who make it their duty, their life's ambition, to pass on knowledge to those who desire it. If anything, the decision to become a teacher is made with the will and hope to change lives for the better. If any teacher is a "failure", then they are not qualified to teach, anyway.


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[> [> [> [> Re: Teacher? or Performer? -- Nickie, 20:23:16 02/07/05 Mon [1]

I doubt I could have said it better myself, Gary :o)


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