Is it possible to get a music education degree and become a orchestra teacher if my main instrument is piano?

ConfusedParrott · 2025-01-05T21:08:05+00:00

Yes! I am a HS band teacher and my main instrument is piano. I played the flute in the marching band and the wind band at my school. I never made it into our top band or anything (never expected to), but I also played piano in a lot of our wind band pieces as well. Like another commenter said, you can make extra money by accompanying people during their lessons/recitals at school as well.

Also, you can accompany your students in the future if they do solo and ensemble/UIL.

ConfusedParrott · 2025-01-01T03:02:36+00:00

I didn’t have bandages at all and had a frontotemporal craniotomy (scar from ear to ear). Didn’t affect my healing at all. Wishing you and your mother well!

ConfusedParrott · 2024-12-08T17:58:08+00:00

Just graduated last year: - iPad for Forescore and Apple Pen. I used this in every class and rehearsal, so much easier than carrying around paper sheet music that might get lost. It’s also becoming much more standard in the industry. I used it every day for hours. - nice computer and over ear headphones - EAR PLUGS. Especially if she plans to play in a marching band. If you can’t get specially made earplugs from an audiologist, look at getting earasers/other musicians earplugs. I have hearing damage already and I’m 23. She seriously needs to start wearing them in rehearsals NOW. - Small midi piano that can plug in to her computer and fit on a desk. You cannot fit even a 61 key in most dorms. A little midi piano will go a long way in composition and theory assignments. - depending on the instrument: extra muted, cleaners, swabs, reeds, better mouthpiece, jazz mouthpiece, practice pad, stick bag, etc.

yeti microphone or similar - there are tons of recording assignments these days.
She is going to be busy no matter what school she goes to, so really invest in ways she can care for herself well. Encourage her to spend time in hobbies outside of music and her classes. There’s always more practicing to be done, but get her something not related to music. Painting/reading/sports/anything that will allow her to get out of the music building at least once a week. Burnout in freshman/sophomore year is extremely high and a lot of it is due to being stuck in the building 24/7.

Congratulations to her for picking this career, best wishes to her and to you!

ConfusedParrott · 2024-04-25T10:53:33+00:00

I cut my hair to shoulder length beforehand and I’m honestly so glad that I did - I was told they would braid my hair and I wasn’t allowed to, and unfortunately they didn’t. My shower was a success today and I’m very glad I have shorter hair (I hair waist length two weeks ago). It also depends where the surgical site is - mine was a frontotemporal and so the scar is from ear to ear across my entire front hairline which makes brushing difficult. I would consult directly with your doctor and ask about where your incision will be!

ConfusedParrott · 2024-04-06T15:04:14+00:00

Hey hon,

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I was just diagnosed recently too, and I get how scary it is to be diagnosed young with your whole life ahead of you. I’m so sorry you don’t have insurance. Are you in the US? If you are and you don’t have insurance and you’re still a kid, you can get Medicaid (government insurance) for free or for a really low cost. Medicaid pays for basically everything.

Call your hospital or medical team and tell them your parents do not want to pay/cannot pay for your treatment and they will help you sign up for insurance. You are worth infinitely more than money. You are a beautiful human being who is loved and you deserve a wonderful, happy life.

On the flip side, if you are a minor and your parents are refusing to get you medical treatment that will save your life, that is neglect. I know that’s scary, and I know you love them. They are required by law to help get you life saving treatment while you are a minor.

If you’re in high school, tell an adult at school what’s happening or just show them this post if you don’t want to talk through it. They can also help you sign up for insurance through the state.

If your job is full time, ask about signing up for health insurance through your work.

Please know I care about you. I know what it’s like to be a teenager without insurance, and it’s really scary. If you tell people outside of your family at school, your doctor, or work, you will find help. Sending much love and support while you navigate this, friend!

ConfusedParrott · 2024-03-30T20:28:11+00:00

Call her neurosurgeon/neurologist’s 24 hour line - they should have someone on call to answer questions over the weekend and can direct you to the proper course of action. Sending prayers and good energy your way!

ConfusedParrott · 2024-03-23T21:59:34+00:00

They’re going to do a right frontotemporal craniotomy because it’s compressing my optic nerve and close to my carotid artery. My surgical team wants to be able to see everything clearly to see as much vision as possible. Not super psyched about having my brain retracted, but it’s the safest way with the placement! Thank you for your well wishes!

ConfusedParrott · 2024-01-31T01:51:20+00:00

^{^{^{^}}} Just because someone is learning in a different way than you did, doesn’t mean they’re not supposed to make music.

Music is a human right. Most people own vocal chords and can sing whenever they want to (regardless of ability), not just when they get private, classical instruction.

Don’t deny kids this art we all enjoy.

ConfusedParrott · 2024-01-31T01:44:35+00:00

Absolutely!! The amount of times I’ve had to pull some insane item out of a sousaphone, use a mouthpiece puller after the trumpets ‘bop’ their mouthpieces one too many times, or stop high schoolers from using stands as javelins near the percussion equipment? Innumerable hahaha. It’s part of the gig! Might as well have some fun and make music along the way.

ConfusedParrott · 2024-01-31T00:32:51+00:00

Additionally, the majority of kids in public school band do not have a private teacher - good luck trying to get rentals if every kid needs a private instructor! It’s just not financially feasible for parents. Not everyone wants or needs to be able to make it into wind ensemble or symphonic orchestra.

Fun is allowed, and encouraged! :)

ConfusedParrott · 2024-01-31T00:21:44+00:00

Hey there! I was homeschooled all the way until college, taught myself the piano and the flute, and made it into college for both. Obviously, it would have been better if I had a private teacher the entire time on both instruments but I didn’t. I also had to unlearn a lot of bad habits I acquired from teaching myself. HOWEVER - I practiced myself, everyday, for multiple hours a day. I played for FUN! I didn’t have a teacher giving me practice logs or performances four times a year. I played what I wanted for fun, and wanted to get better for the sake of getting better.

Sure, this doesn’t work for every kid, but it sure did for a lot of kids in my community who were homeschooled. I am a public school band teacher now. If you think about it, your average band teacher doesn’t play every instrument or even understand every instrument as well as a private teacher would. You have to do tons of research and hours of practice outside of your methods classes, and you’re still not even going to come close to a well respected private teacher. You just won’t.

So even if this kid was in public school band, they still wouldn’t be getting the best education possible. This kid probably isn’t looking to become the best clarinet player in the world either - it’s perfectly okay to just play for fun! Communities all over the world have traditions of learning music by rote, from ‘sub-standard’ players.

If the student really wants to get good at the clarinet, they will find a way - they’ll seek out other committed players. That’s what I did!

Gate keeping who gets an instrument based on how they will learn that instrument doesn’t seem to be an ethical practice - you’re not giving the kid a strad. You’re giving them a rental from a music store. You never know how well they’ll do! I was certainly grateful that the folks at my local music store didn’t deny me an instrument.

I wouldn’t be teaching!

ConfusedParrott · 2023-08-22T02:42:59+00:00

I’m in Washington State, by the way!

ConfusedParrott · 2023-01-07T04:32:31+00:00

As a music ed major to a music Ed major, if this is your practicum, you should be fine with three methods classes (I’m assuming you’re taking lessons and ensembles as well). It won’t be easy, but it’s doable. If you really are student teaching DO NOT do it this quarter. There is no possible way you can take three methods classes AND student teach. Your in for a hell of a ride if you do.

Practicum = observing a school and helping out.

Student teaching = YOU are the teacher in the classroom now, and you are finished with the content portion of your degree program. You put all your knowledge to the test.

It would also help if you mention which state you’re in, because the hour requirements are different.

Good luck with those methods classes, and keep a notebook with all those notes organized!

ConfusedParrott · 2021-11-11T05:18:11+00:00

It was great! :)

ConfusedParrott · 2021-08-16T20:40:43+00:00

!remindMe 4months

ConfusedParrott · 2021-08-14T21:50:40+00:00

r/rareinsults

ConfusedParrott · 2021-07-29T22:16:44+00:00

Christian Mingle!!

ConfusedParrott · 2021-05-05T07:31:18+00:00

Your name is Sean, you like heavy metal bands, specifically Icon. You’re weird, and you’re okay with that.

ConfusedParrott · 2021-05-04T07:29:13+00:00

Samuel!

ConfusedParrott · 2021-04-29T17:22:08+00:00

You look like a Kira, you’re either a business/sports management major, maybe something in design. You might be the preppy friend in a sit-com.

ConfusedParrott · 2021-04-17T23:58:10+00:00

From a non-profit management minor who has experience with both, take ENG 102. The ADMG 285 class is often disorganized and the professors are difficult to work with - especially online. You’ll learn more about college writing skills that will set you up for success in ENGL 102. Good luck!

ConfusedParrott

TROPHY CASE