Music instructor jobs in Finland
Music instructors educate students in specific theory and, primarily, practice-based music courses at a specialised music school or conservatory at a higher education level, including musical instruments and vocal training. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master in music. Music educators monitor the students' progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance of music practice through assignments, tests and examinations.
Music instructor - Which skills are essential?
Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
Keep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.
The different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.
Write, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.
Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.
Follow up on students’ learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.
Communicate 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 issues relating the students' well-being.
Manage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.
Different musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.
Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.
Employ 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 arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners' level, goals, and priorities.
The systems used to visually represent music through the use of written symbols, including ancient or modern musical symbols.
Evaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.
Manipulate purpose-built or improvised instruments to produce musical sounds.
Instruct 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 corrections while instructing them in courses such as the history of music, reading music scores, and playing a musical instrument (including voice) of specialisation.
Demonstrate an appropriate foundation on the technical workings and terminology of musical instruments such as voice, piano, guitar, and percussion.
Verify the technical aspects of your workspace, costumes, props, etc. Eliminate potential hazards in your work space or performance. Intervene actively in cases of accidents or illness.
Present to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.
Provide 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 evaluate work.
The body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.
Read the musical score during rehearsal and live performance.
Ensure 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 backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.
The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.
Research 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.
Music instructor - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Provide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.
Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.
Improvise music during live performances.
Transposing music into an alternate key while keeping the original tone structure.
Direct 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 tempo.
Check and maintain musical instruments.
Maintain a positive image of the conservatory and use personal network in the best interest of the conservatory, such as establishing valuable artistic and financial connections.
Create original musical forms, or write within existing musical formats like operas or symphonies.
Assign lines of music to different musical instruments and/or voices to be played together.
Apply aspects of music theory in order to create musical and tonal structures such as harmonies and melodies.
The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.
Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.
Communicate and work together with music librarians to ensure permanent availability of scores.
Develop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources.
Identify 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.
Support university students with the writing of their paper or theses. Advise on research methods or additions to certain parts of their dissertations. Report different types of errors, such as research or methodological errors, to the student.
Perform exercises and demonstrate them when required. Aim to reach the training session objectives and the appropriate pace, finding a balance between artistic requirements and risk prevention principles. Take into account your physical form: fatigue, recovery periods, resting times, etc.
The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.
Keep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.
The historical background and chronology of various musical instruments.
Identify developments in the labour market and recognise their relevance to the training of students.
Incorporate the use of online learning environments and platforms into the process of instruction.
Literature 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 literature.
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
Set the date, the agenda, gather the required resources, and coordinate events around music such as concerts, competitions or exams.
Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.
Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
The various types of movement and physical postures undertaken for relaxation, body-mind integration, stress reduction, flexibility, core support and rehabilitation purposes, and that are required for or underpin occupational performance.
Advise beneficiaries on future career options through counselling and, potentially, through career testing and evaluation.