So here is my latest diatribe from the world of academia: Who came up with the idea that one doesn't need to be a decent musician to be a music educator? It has recently (in the last few years) come to my attention that many music education programs actually discourage students from trying to reach the highest levels as a performer that they are capable of. Now, keep in mind, I said that THEY are capable of. I know many fine teachers who are not great performers (and many great performers who are NOT fine teachers). I am not saying that every teacher in music needs to be artist level, but I think they need to be pushed to achieve as much as they can as a performer.

I have seen a few schools that want their ec. students to do just the minimal amount of performing to get through the program. usually this is lessons, a shorter senior recital and a few semesters of ensembles. Now, where is the logic in not having people who will be teaching playing in as many ensembles as possible (since that is what most of them will end up teaching)?

Education degree requirements have gotten so out of control that I have even seen ensemble requirements reduced so that students can take another education course. Again, where is the logic of reducing music courses for students in education when what they will be teaching is music?

At my particular school the hours for methods classes for music ed. majors (brass, percussionm strings, woodwinds) were reduced to make way for another education course. So, the students may not be proficient on secondary instruments but hey, they'll be good at powerpoint!

I had the good fortune as an undergrad. to go to a school where the majority of students were music ed. majors, BUT, our teachers still taught as as though we were performance majors (the best of both worlds). It was normal for a music ed. student to do a full junior and senior recital (as opposed to the 1/2 senior recital many programs require). This is the same model I use with my students (most of whom are in music ed.).

Yes, it is a lot of work for them to reach higher levels as performers and jump through all of the hoops required of education programs these days but not a one has ever said they didn't see the point of doing it. They realize that to be an effective communicator and teacher of music they have to be the best musican they can.