Why be a music teacher?

• Like Mr. Holland, you want your opus. You want to mold young minds by wresting the talent from within, to teach them to "play the sunset."
• Or perhaps you've discovered how playing a musical instrument can make you smarter. It's scientifically proven. Really—check out this video if you don't believe us.
• Maybe you want to run off and become a musician, but you've been scared off by our sage career advice and your weird uncle who lives in your basement and writes songs about his failed dreams. (He's gonna make it though! We promise!)

Look, it's not an easy time to be a music teacher. Many school districts are in the midst of terrible budget crises, and music programs often take the hit. While there are public high schools that have stellar reputations for winning band and choir competitions year after year, these schools typically have teachers who are ingrained in their positions. Remember Mr. Schu from Glee? He wouldn't even give up his spot for Broadway. You think he's gonna give you a break?

Private schools, on the other hand, have more cash and cache. They usually have a strong presence in the arts, but they like to hire celebrity talent to show off to the parents. But if you've played Carnegie Hall recently, have had a ten-record deal at Sony, or are coming off the touring production of the latest revival of Les Mis, maybe you'll find a spot at one of these schools.

Now in order to be a good music teacher, you need to be both a dedicated musician and a great communicator. You'll have to go to college and major in music, then complete an additional year or two to get your teaching credential—unless you only want to teach students one-on-one in private lessons (you don't by the way). But the upside to this is that the more schooling you do, the more money you can make as a teacher. Obtaining your master's degree and doctorate will give you a pay bump, while a doctorate will also let you teach music at the college level.

Whatever road you want to go down, getting your teaching credential will give you the most options as you move forward in your career. Even if you decide to go into real estate or something completely unrelated to music so that you can pay the rent while teaching on the side, having the credential and keeping your continuing education credits current always gives you the option to step into the classroom if the need arises (like say the housing market tanks and your private students can't afford to hire you anymore because the economy is in the toilet).

Join the National Association for Music Education—yes, even as a high school or college student. They have music honors programs that make your résumé sparkle and teaching advice for you newbies and wannabes.

If you want to teach, you're going to have to know (and love) music theory, which is the language of music and how it all works together. Okay, many people don't exactly love music theory (is it all the math?), but you need to make your peace with it. You'll have to know it as well as, if not better than, League of Legends, because you'll need to explain it to others in a way that won't make them quit their violin lessons in favor of playing water polo or taking up ceramics. But hey, if they want to do both (or all three), we're not going to talk them out of it.

You'll also need to understand music history. Again, not just because it's cool and impressive—even though it is—but because you'll have to teach it to others.

Did we mention you need to be a good musician yourself? That old adage: "Those who can't do, teach"—absolute nonsense. As a music teacher, you'll need to learn one or more instruments really, really well. You'll also have to be able to play the piano—even if you are a saxophone player, or an oboe man, or a drummer girl—as you'll have to at least know how to play Chopsticks.

Being able to read music seems like an obvious requirement, but it's not easy. Music is its own language, so you better get really good at it. Practice sight reading as much as you can. Learn how to write music. Transcribe your favorite solos that you hear and learn by imitating at first, then try writing your own stuff. Practice your instrument as much as possible and take private music lessons. You won't get good enough at your instrument by just playing in your high school band; you need up close and personal attention.

You'll have to learn all different kinds of music and how to conduct it. If you teach in a high school, you'll need to be able to conduct a marching band, an orchestra, a wind ensemble, a jazz band, and a choir—yes, you'll need to be able to sing in tune.

One last thing—it really helps if you're patient and like kids. If you have the patience of a flea and you don't want to deal with people, maybe go into market research or sound editing instead. But if you love music, communicate well with others, and are as patient as a monk, well go and get your Mr. Holland on.

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