Becoming a music teacher

[Lucyrose2]

Does anyone know if it is possible to become a music teacher without a music degree? My degree is in biology and I originally planned to apply for a science pgce but I have really gone off the idea. I have an LTCL (trinity) diploma in piano which is supposed to be the same level as a degree though obviously not the same depth, and I have grade 8 music theory, does anybody know if this would be enough to qualify me for a place on a music pgce?

Has anyone else managed to become a music teacher with a different degree subject?

I was a music teacher and one of my colleagues trained to teach music - her degree was in Environmental science. She had A level music and was a really good performer.

Thanks that's great to hear

Yes it is possible. Although I'm not sure re getting a PCGE in music so pribably best to ask individual training providers. But I know someone who has a science degree who is a successful teacher (albeit independent sector), piano teacher and conductor

My DH teaches privately and has no degree or formal music teaching qualifications at all.

That's interesting thankyou. 😊 I was hoping to work in the state sector teaching music in a secondary school or else as a peripatetic music teacher in schools/council music services although I think they're a lot less common than they used to be.

Peripatetic teaching of instruments in the local authority is common where I live and they're always in demand too.

Sounds like it is possible, OP!

DM used to be teacher and she started out a as a maths teacher and then became a physics teacher. She often used to complain that some of her colleagues were dismissive because her degree was in biochemistry.

In the other hand, I had an amazing O-Level maths teacher. She was one of the best teachers I ever had and definitely the best maths teacher in the school. I can't remember what her degree was in but it wasn't maths. However, she wanted to teach A Level maths and wasn't allowed because she didn't have the right degree.

And just to add I am obviously going to back to prehistory with both these examples. Things may have changed.

Secondary teaching you will need the PGCE - just apply - you get a personal statement to explain your quals etc. I (and friend mentioned above) trained at Sussex uni but it was a long time ago! You would need to brush up on subject knowledge as gcse and A level music have a lot of things in it that you won’t have learnt just doing performing and theory.
to be a peri teacher you don’t need to do a PGCE

Oh that's great, I got the impression they were dying out.

Thanks everyone. I have looked at the websites for several universities that do a music pgce before, they all seemed to say you need a degree in the subject but I hoped because my diploma is technically supposed to be degree level I might get away with it.

Get yourself a music degree, 🎶 🎵 ✨️ and you'll be in demand afterwards. There is a shortage of music teachers. We need more!!

I can't because I already have a biology degree so I can't get student finance for a second degree. But my music diploma is classed as being at degree level so I was hoping that would do.

Sorry I missed that part!😔 so disappointing when you have qualifications that cannot be transferred or accommodated to help do a side step into that career. There must be another way??

Thanks I hope so! I emailed a couple of universities to ask a few weeks ago but they'll be closed for the summer so I probably won't hear back for a while.

(To ask about their music pgces I mean)

Lots of peri music teachers in our area at junior and secondary schools - piano, guitar, singing, drums, violin, cello, saxophone to name but a few. They run school quartets, orchestras, enter kids in music competitions, and get involved in concerts and band nights with the music department.

I think it would be very unlikely you would be offered a peri position at an independent school (or even offered an interview without a degree).

Depending on your area some music services may well offer you a position. If you are piano then they may well want you to teach piano k and keyboard. In my early career I worked for my local music service and they made me teach the keyboard in addition to piano. I didn’t have a clue how to teach the keyboard or all the different settings available but had to learn as I went before I was able to secure a purely piano based position.

That being said, peri work at independent schools can also be a combination of networking and right place right time so not impossible without a degree.

Local authority peris in many areas are not paid as teachers any more. Many are also on zero hours contracts.
Private teaching is already a possibility with your qualifications.
Secondary teaching - check out how many schools in your area are still doing music at GCSE/A level. There are often FE positions teaching on performing arts or music performance courses. Or music tech, if that's something you're good at. If you've any conducting experience, local amateur groups often have paid musical director roles.

I’m at music teacher and yes it’s entirely possible. Did your qualification cover a good grounding of music theory? Don’t limit yourself to a PGCE. Most training for music is via SCITT schemes these days- although this could just be my region.
things to think about- could you lead or direct a choir or ensemble? Complete a composition at gcse/ a level standard? Teach dictation where you need to be able to listen to an orchestral score and notate a part? Play multi instruments for teaching to KS3- voice, ukulele, drums, guitar are all common in classroom music. Training will cover education but not subject knowledge. I think with a grade 8 in piano you have a great head start.

Adding to say just re read your post and you say you have grade 8 theory. I would say you are more than qualified than some of the trainees that I’ve trained over the years. I can’t imagine you’d have problems getting on a course.

Thankyou! this is all really helpful 😃