EducationISCO 2330
Music teacher secondary school
A music teacher at secondary school is a person who teaches music to students, mostly children and teenagers, at secondary level.
Check yourself in a minute: music teacher secondary school
Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
use pedagogic strategies for creativity
prepare lesson content
monitor developments in field of expertise
compile course material
liaise with educational support staff
About music teacher secondary school
The teacher prepares lesson plans and materials, monitors students' progress, helps individually where it is needed, and assesses knowledge and performance in music through assignments, tests and examinations. The teacher is usually a subject specialist, trained in a particular area of music, and teaches it as a separate school subject.
The teacher teaches the principles of music, such as notation, rhythm and harmony, and plays musical instruments during lessons, so that students hear what is being discussed rather than knowing it only from notation. Instructional strategies are chosen to fit each lesson and each class, combining explanation with listening and playing.
Teaching methods are adapted to each student's capability. Students are supported in their learning, student relationships are managed, and discipline is maintained in the classroom at all times. Developments in the field are followed, both in music itself and in how it is taught. Formal requirements, such as the degree and teacher training needed, are set by national education rules.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (28)
musical instrumentsmusical instrumentsThe different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.musical genresmusical genresDifferent musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.musical notationmusical notationThe systems used to visually represent music through the use of written symbols, including ancient or modern musical symbols.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.subject of music coachingsubject of music coachingThe techniques used to coach students in different music related fields such as voice, dance or musical instrument.secondary school proceduressecondary school proceduresThe inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.musical theorymusical theoryThe body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.use pedagogic strategies for creativityuse pedagogic strategies for creativityCommunicate to others on devising and facilitating creative processes through the use of a range of tasks and activities appropriate to the target group.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...play musical instrumentsplay musical instrumentsManipulate purpose-built or improvised instruments to produce musical sounds.teach music principlesteach music principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of music, whether recreationally, as part of their general education, or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future career in this field. Offer co...demonstrate a technical foundation in musical instrumentsdemonstrate a technical foundation in musical instrumentsDemonstrate an appropriate foundation on the technical workings and terminology of musical instruments such as voice, piano, guitar, and percussion.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.
Optional (26) — show
adolescent socialisation behaviouradolescent socialisation behaviourThe social dynamics through which young adults live amongst each other, expressing their likes and dislikes and the rules of communication between generations.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.history of musical instrumentshistory of musical instrumentsThe historical background and chronology of various musical instruments.music literaturemusic literatureLiterature about music theory, specific music styles, periods, composers or musicians, or specific pieces. This includes a variety of materials such as magazines, journals, books and academic literatu...assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.identify learning disordersidentify learning disordersObserve and detect symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in children or adult learners. Refer the student to t...consult student's support systemconsult student's support systemCommunicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.improvise musicimprovise musicImprovise music during live performances.recognise indicators of gifted studentrecognise indicators of gifted studentObserve students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or ...escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.supervise music groupssupervise music groupsDirect music groups, individual musicians or complete orchestras at rehearsals and during live or studio performances, in order to improve the overall tonal and harmonic balance, dynamics, rhythm, and...maintain musical instrumentsmaintain musical instrumentsCheck and maintain musical instruments.arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.orchestrate musicorchestrate musicAssign lines of music to different musical instruments and/or voices to be played together.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.identify cross-curricular links with other subject areasidentify cross-curricular links with other subject areasRecognise correlations and overlaps between your subject of expertise and other subjects. Decide on a levelled approach to the material with the teacher of the associated subject and adjust lesson pla...provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.read musical scoreread musical scoreRead the musical score during rehearsal and live performance.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
music instructor22 shared essential skillsart teacher secondary school19 shared essential skillsbiology teacher secondary school19 shared essential skillsbusiness studies and economics teacher secondary school19 shared essential skillschemistry teacher secondary school19 shared essential skillsclassical languages teacher secondary school19 shared essential skillsdrama teacher secondary school19 shared essential skillshistory teacher secondary school19 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a music teacher secondary school do?
Music teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, music. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students' progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students' knowledge and performance on the subject of music through assignments, tests and examinations.
What skills does a music teacher secondary school need?
A music teacher secondary school needs 28 essential skills, including musical instruments, musical genres, musical notation, instructional strategies, subject of music coaching.
Will AI replace music teacher secondary school jobs?
The AI disruption score for music teacher secondary school is 14/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of attendance, musical notation, compile course material. Most resilient: read musical score, play musical instruments, musical instruments.
AI Replacement Risk
14/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
Is music teacher secondary school right for you?
Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.
Take the free test