<p>The questions and concerns in this forum tend to lean towards the performance areas, but in thinking about my son's experiences and why he planned a double major, here's a few tips that might prove useful for those considering the music path: </p>
<p>While in high school, try and join the professional organizations. MENC (Music Educators National Conference) and MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) are the two main ones, and then there are seperate entities like ASTA (American String Teachers Association), as well as national associations for band teachers, jazz educators, choir/vocal, etc.</p>
<p>Many of these have clubs at the student level beginning in high school, like Tri-M through MENC or the school chapters of ASTA. Many clubs will do out reach to the elementary & middle schools within the district. It's good first level teaching/interaction experience.</p>
<p>The national websites are a great source of useful info and links. Bookmark them and use them.</p>
<p>Employment opportunities can be found at summer camps in the music disciplines. If you can hook into one of these and can deal effectively with young(er) children, it's invaluable experience and a great resume builder within your discipline. </p>
<p>Find a mentor. Your instructor, your conductor, an older player, your chamber coach, whomever. Watch someone who has the gift for teaching, and learn by observation. </p>
<p>At the college search level, there are schools that will virtually certify you to teach within the public school system of the state. While licensing is not guaranteed, the programs are designed that by successfully completing them, the licensing and certification requirements are a formality.</p>
<p>Consider a school with a "String Project". This program under the auspices of ASTA puts music ed majors into weekly supervised teaching positions at local public schools mentoring beginning and intermediate players. Some schools provide a tuition reimbursement or stipend for teaching, others don't. It depends on funding, often precarious. At a string project college or university, participation for "x" semesters is a requirement. There is a similar "Band Project" program. </p>
<p>Expand your professional association affiliations. </p>
<p>Decide your teaching methodology emphasis. Traditional methodology and Suzuki vary greatly, so do plan your program around the emphasis you wish to pursue. There are superb programs across all the methods, and choose the teaching program that suits your strengths.</p>
<p>Advocate and support music & arts education in the public schools. With funding at a premium, do your part to keep the programs in the community forefront. Hospital visits, nursing home concerts are one way of giving back. Advertise yourselves and your program. Consider how your life would be different if you did not have the exposure and think of ways that insure the opportunities continue. In a few years, it's your kids who will be impacted by funding cuts.</p>
<p>This thread is a bit late for this years attendees. Hopefully the newcomers might find parts useful.</p>