Advice from peripatetic music instructors

97531cat · 2023-10-16T08:57:19+00:00

Hi there I was just looking for some advice from any peri teachers out there. I have changed careers and have been teaching private music instrumental lessons for the past few years. I've picked up some diplomas from abrsm along the way (one in performance and one in instrumental teaching). I am applying for an MA Music Education (instrumental teaching - woodwind). The course looks great, really practical and part time. At the moment I only teach in the evenings as my target students are at school during the day. I would love to try and get into schools/teach with a local music service so I could work during school hours. I do not have a BMus (my degrees are in unrelated subjects) but do you think the MA would qualify me enough to be accepted as a peripatetic instrumental teacher? I am conscious that the MA is 100% teaching focused and I am concerned that I am not qualified enough from a performance perspective. Any thoughts much appreciated! Thanks so much Cat

Comefromaway · 16/10/2023 10:09

Schools music services are much more interested in teaching qualifications than in performance ones. Your existing ABRSM etc diplomas will be fine and having an MA will just be the icing on the cake. You just have to drop lucky n terms of vacancies. If you teach multiple wind instruments you will be of more value.

Helenloveslee4eva · 16/10/2023 10:11

Consider approaching prep schools directly. They often employ direct.

Original poster

97531cat · 16/10/2023 10:33

Hi comefromaway
Thanks so much for replying.
That is reassuring. I feel like most of the competition for jobs will have a BMus in performance from a conservatoire (I live next to one!) and my performance skills are way, way below that level.
I am able to teach 3 wind instruments (grade 8 distinction in all 3) and I'm planning on learning a 4th so I could potentially teach clarinet, flute, recorder and sax (sax I don't currently play).

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Original poster

97531cat · 16/10/2023 10:34

Great idea thanks!

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Original poster

97531cat · 16/10/2023 10:42

Helenloveslee4eva · 16/10/2023 10:11

Consider approaching prep schools directly. They often employ direct.

Great idea thanks

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bowlingalleyblues · 16/10/2023 10:46

I think you should contact the music services within commuting distance and ask them. A friend just has grade 8 instrument, 5 theory and teaching diploma plus professional experience and teaches peripatetically.

busybanana · 16/10/2023 10:50

Hi Cat, I would say it's worth trying - you may well find that the qualifications you have are sufficient, especially if you can point to a good track record with your teaching.

In regards to your private teaching, have you considered advertising specifically for adult pupils? Apparently some teachers don't like working with adults, but I have a few keen adults who come for daytime lessons, who are retired, do shift work or work part time. Another option for daytime lessons could be home educated students, especially if you're able to offer small group lessons at a lower cost per student.

Good luck!

Comefromaway · 16/10/2023 10:59

My husband did have a BA from a conservatoire, but he found it counted for little and the fact he had teaching experience from studying for (but not completing) a secondary PGCE stood him in far better stead getting a job with the music service.

Comefromaway · 16/10/2023 10:59

sorry a Bmus not a BA

Original poster

97531cat · 16/10/2023 11:16

busybanana · 16/10/2023 10:50

Hi Cat, I would say it's worth trying - you may well find that the qualifications you have are sufficient, especially if you can point to a good track record with your teaching.

In regards to your private teaching, have you considered advertising specifically for adult pupils? Apparently some teachers don't like working with adults, but I have a few keen adults who come for daytime lessons, who are retired, do shift work or work part time. Another option for daytime lessons could be home educated students, especially if you're able to offer small group lessons at a lower cost per student.

Good luck!

Hi
Yes I currently teach 4 adults...only one is during the day though as the other 3 work/study. Where I am, instrumental tuition is free for students from primary 6 to secondary 4 so I haven't been getting a lot of private students. I teach beginners piano on the side and they take up the majority of my lesson slots as piano isn't taught in schools here. Piano is not my main interest though and I would love more wind.
I do have some private kids whose parents don't want them to miss school lessons so they come to me after school.
I advertise on several websites but actually most of my students have come from posting thousands of flyers and by word of mouth.

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busybanana · 16/10/2023 11:45

That's difficult for you as a private teacher then! Great for the children - free lessons haven't been available around here for many years, maybe even decades - but not so good for someone trying to make a living as a private teacher.

Comefromaway · 16/10/2023 11:45

I know it doesn't help you but how wonderful that instrumental tuition is free in schools.

Original poster

97531cat · 16/10/2023 13:57

Yeah its fantastic!

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horseymum · 19/10/2023 07:40

Hope it goes well. Round here you'd definitely need to play sax as well. Some woodwind teachers have to do bassoon, oboe, flute and clarinet unfortunately. You will also probably have to help with the ensembles after school etc. You could also try to get work on residential courses, either as pastoral or instrumental staff. Many kids in school are never going to get to grade 8 so don't worry about not being conservatoire level. If you can accompany on piano to a decent level you would be very valuable, mist of the teachers in our schools can barely play piano at all, it limits what the children play in concerts etc.

54321edcba · 19/10/2023 10:46

horseymum · 19/10/2023 07:40

Hope it goes well. Round here you'd definitely need to play sax as well. Some woodwind teachers have to do bassoon, oboe, flute and clarinet unfortunately. You will also probably have to help with the ensembles after school etc. You could also try to get work on residential courses, either as pastoral or instrumental staff. Many kids in school are never going to get to grade 8 so don't worry about not being conservatoire level. If you can accompany on piano to a decent level you would be very valuable, mist of the teachers in our schools can barely play piano at all, it limits what the children play in concerts etc.

Hi
Thanks for the reply.
I have no idea about oboe and bassoon..I am hoping they would be covered during my Masters programme. I don't even have access to the instruments to try and they are obviously even more expensive.
I am hoping I would pick up Sax pretty easily, having played bass clarinet, clarinet, flute and recorder.
I would love to be involved in ensembles too.
I am not a great pianist but I do have grade 8 and have been accompanying students up to around grade 5 level, although it does mean having to learn the piano parts as I can't sight read at that level!!!

teg321 · 10/10/2025 23:21

Hi Cat,
Did you get a peri job? Late in here but here goes...
I retired from Peri work after 25 years and let me tell you, peri work is not what it used to be. I found that many schools expected me to teach scores of students in a very short times so progress for many children was incredibly slow. Whole Class tuition is the name of the game today and this means that you will be net working with other teachers and using technology to put on performances. Schools favour far less the one on one teaching approach and prefer to see multiple whole class tuition. As far as instruments taught do not be suprised if you are asked to teach an instrument that you know next to nothing about - quality teaching has been eclipsed by financial gain.

Now...

The best teaching I ever had was private work. Teaching a child one to one cuts out a lot of the behavioural problems that are found in whole class and group teaching. You can set your own agenda, teach your own style and get to meet the parents. Very few no shows in the private setting and much more teacher (rather than music service led activity).

So?

My answer would be to take some peri work if you have it available but do not give up on the private work. A balance can be struck and your serious intent will be fed by the private work and you can always send your pupils for county orchestra auditions and then get noticed that way. Qualification means some but definately not all in peri work and the willingness to work in tough conditions and keep the ball rolling is the challenge.

Lastly
Aim for a contract as some services still employ in the gig economy. You want a realistic hours set yearly and look carefully at the small print. Some services will reduce your hours termly as pupils drop out and thats not good for the heart ;)