Band / Choir / Orchestra Director

An instrumental or choir educator teaches students how to play wind, string, and percussion instruments, how to sing in a group, and the music skills needed to be successful, independent musicians. A music teacher may work with students within an elementary, middle, or high school and they may teach only one specialty (e.g., band) or may teach a combination of different specialties (e.g., orchestra, jazz band, and choir).

In elementary school, the music teacher will teach foundational skills to beginners. This may include general music (see General Music Teacher) depending on the requirements of the school and program. At the middle school and high school levels, the instrumental teacher may teach a mixture of beginner and more experienced players along with directing specific programs such as jazz band, orchestra, choir ensembles, marching band, and concert band. Depending on the program, the teacher may also direct other classes such as musical theater, music technology, music theory, keyboard skills, or guitar.

A school may have multiple music teachers or just one. A music teacher should be able to work well alone or with a co-teacher. Music programs with strong performance groups commonly have instrumental specialists (or, in the case of marching band, dance and drill specialists) and a music teacher will need to have the skills to work with and manage a small team of professionals.

All teachers working at a public school are required to have a teaching license for their particular state and a minimum of a Bachelor's. Some may also be encouraged to have a Master’s. Depending on the district, the music teacher may need additional experience or a certificate in a specific teaching method such as Kodaly, Orff, Suzuki, or Music Learning Theory. Private schools do not always have these requirements.