becoming a professor

<p>yeah the question says it
how does one become a music professor? (i'm a violinist by the way)
what the like the requirements, etc..
replies are appreciated :)</p>

<p>There is not an easy answer to this question. Some music professors are people who have made a name for themselves as soloists, chamber musicians or held principal positions in orchestras. These are people who are virtuosos and their skills speak for themselves. However, if you don't fall into this category, the next best route is for you to go through graduate school and obtain a DMA - Doctor of Musical Arts. This is the terminal degree for music performance. Even with a DMA, competition for teaching positions is fierce. It is often who you know, who you studied with, how well you perform or other skills that you can bring to a music department such as conducting, teaching theory or music history. </p>

<p>If you want to teach music history or theory, a PhD will be required. If you choose this route, your don't have to be a good player. In fact, you don't really have to play at all. These are both academic fields and require scholarship and publications.</p>

<p>Many universities with music departments that are not considered "major" music schools will often require that their professors have PhDs, even instrumentalists. Getting a doctorate in music performance is probably the easiest way to land a job as a professor. The next best thing would be to hold a major symphony job.</p>