R. Gillespie et Dl. Hamann, Career choice among string music education students in American colleges and universities, J RES MUSIC, 47(3), 1999, pp. 266-278
The objective of this study was to identify teacher strategies for attracti
ng school orchestra students to string teaching,. Full-time string music ed
ucation professors at 17 universities surveyed their music education studen
ts who were principally string players. Students were asked to describe the
ir background, reasons for choosing teaching, and recommendations of approa
ches for teachers to use to interest students in string teaching. Results o
f the 153 completed surveys revealed that the majority of string music educ
ation students are female undergraduates who previously participated in sch
ool orchestras. Students chose string education because they liked teaching
, music, children, playing their instrument, and being a role model for chi
ldren. To attract others to teaching, respondents suggested that teachers b
e teaching role models for their students by showing their love for music a
nd teaching, relating positively to students, giving special teaching oppor
tunities and support to students interested in teaching, discussing the rew
ards of string teaching, and challenging students musically.