r/MusicEd

I graduated with a music ed degree and finished my student teaching in spring 2024. since then I've applied for probably a hundred jobs in multiple states in my region and still haven't been hired. I've had a handful of interviews (about 3 a year) and the only feedback I've received is "your answers were fantastic but [some variation of we just didn't like you]". I have stellar recommendations from my mentor teacher, my field supervisors, multiple principals, other music teachers in my area, and I have a great reputation as a sub (short term in multiple districts and long term for music at three schools).

last year I was a long term sub for elementary music at a few schools in my district. the last one I was at, the guy basically left at the start of spring semester and never came back so I was there almost half the year. I applied for a pool of 6 jobs that opened in the summer (including that school) and was interviewed and not hired. that school and another reopened twice, I applied again, never heard a word. one of them just opened back up because the guy they hired was apparently an awful fit and they haven't even contacted me for an interview.

I have multiple music teachers and admin in this district and the neighborhood district who have nothing but stellar things to say about my teaching. I made a lot of great connections with the kids at each school I was at and I'm truly at a loss for what to do from here. I will take literally any suggestion at this point, I have no idea what I'm doing wrong

I teach 3 orchestras and 2 bands in a middle school. There are 2 choirs taught by another teacher. My classroom comfortably fits 30-40 but my class numbers are 7th/8th band: 69. 6th band: 57. 8th orchestra: 55. 7th orchestra: 35, 6th orchestra: 37.

The main issue I'm running into is space and storage in the classroom but also instruments to supply all of them. I'd estimate that 90% of my students use a school district instrument. There are no extra practice rooms to use as storage. The music office is filled with cello racks. I talked to my principal about adding another section for band, because I see it being an issue when my 8th graders move out and my current 6th graders want to be in band next year with no space in the class. Do I audition into the band next year even though they've only had 1 year of playing? I also find it difficult to teach the 57 6th graders all at once this year and I feel like my quality of instruction has drastically lowered.

What solutions/thoughts might you be able to think of regarding space, class size, and teaching efficacy with large numbers? Thanks!

As a band teacher, a lot of what I do TODAY depends on what happened YESTERDAY during class. If you asked me on Monday what the students will be working on today (Friday), I would only be guessing what my full lesson plan actually looks like.

However, most administrators are asking for "lesson plans for next week, due Friday" and for the most part we do the best we can to appease them. I'm just wondering if there is any actual research on the effectiveness of teachers who submit weekly lesson plans ahead of time versus teachers who only do daily lesson plans.

Any thoughts or anecdotes from the MusicEd crowd?

TL;DR: seeking advice on graduate and post graduate degree paths from people who went back later after having kids.

I happily taught elementary music for 10 years, and last year made the jump to secondary. The school I’m at now I am surrounded by phenomenal leadership that has pushed me to grow in ways I never was in public school.

On top of that, I’ve started playing in a high level brass band. All of that has awoken a real spark in me to grow. I really want to get a masters in conducting but the only school close to me is USF and they’ve told me it’s basically a non-starter to do it while I’m teaching. They steered me towards their revamped masters in music ed, but to be honest I really don’t want two ed degrees because I’m worried that if I ever decide to go for a doctorate I’ll be pigeonholed. On top of that we have four kids under 5 at home so not working for two years isn’t an option for me. I have considered doing trumpet performance but I’m not sure how much it aligns with my real goals. I’ve also considered composition but again, I’m not sure it will open enough of the right doors.

Those of you who went back later for graduate and post graduate degrees, what would you do different and what did you learn along the way?

My wife teaches elementary music and wanted a better version of Instrument Bingo. So I made it for her and host it on my website. We worked out most of the kinks and I think it's ready to share.

It's a pretty fun game with a lot of options to customize it for whatever instruments you are teaching.

https://www.finalparsec.com/band_bingo

If you have any instruments you need added, post a comment and I can try to include them.

I've had this college recently recommended to me, it seems to be a college specifically for music educators. Is it worth it going to?

Hi! Im starting my studies at the conservatory shortly and I was wondering how you guys record your lessons and if you have found an alternative for voice memos on your phones.
I always ( ofc with my teachers consent ) record my lessons for later reference while practicing but am really struggling with phone addiction and I’m thinking that I might better focus without my phone.
How ever I don’t know a substitute.
Thoughts?