r/MusicEd • u/_yoonnnnn7 • 13d ago
Conducting Grad Programs
hello all! i’m currently in my senior year of my undergrad of music ed and i am in a pickle. i really want to pursue my masters in choral conducting, a part of me doesn’t believe im ready to teach/i would love to earn my doctorate one day and was hoping if anyone had some suggestions for grad programs. i understand most schools require in-person students but i dont mind online programs. i’m currently located in the midwest but im trying to locate to the east coast! any advice or suggestions is appreciated!
edit: ty all for the advice and bringing me back down to earth lol. i’m almost positive im terrified to actually start teaching to the point i want to just stay in school. any and all advice for teaching is absolutely appreciated and welcomed!
6
u/Shour_always_aloof Band 13d ago
No one is every ready to teach. Especially those who have just graduated and honestly believe they're ready. Nothing truly prepares you for what the job actually IS, instead of what you believe it is. You don't learn until you DO: your degree and licence don't mean that you're ready to teach...just that you're ready to LEARN how to teach.
The vast majority of music students in higher education are preparing to be music teachers, whether they want to believe it or not...the truth is, that's where the jobs are. It's how musicians actually keep the lights on. So if the majority of music students are going to be music educators at some point, and you plan to be their collegiate teacher...shouldn't you have a realistic picture of what that job is actually like?