I'm just wondering if anyone has insights on why music roles are considered hard-to-fill vacancies.
I know music is vast, varying based on levels and finding a teacher who can do it all is like finding a unicorn. Is this the reason? If so why aren't music roles filled early in recruiting and schools instead try to cast a wide net to get as many candidates as possible?
Why are music roles considered hard to fill?
Re: Why are music roles considered hard to fill?
kgirl wrote:
> I'm just wondering if anyone has insights on why music roles are considered
> hard-to-fill vacancies.
>
> I know music is vast, varying based on levels and finding a teacher who can
> do it all is like finding a unicorn. Is this the reason? If so why aren't
> music roles filled early in recruiting and schools instead try to cast a
> wide net to get as many candidates as possible?
It's one of the teaching jobs that requires a specific set of skills. Let's be honest, pretty much anyone can teach middle school language arts and social studies - even elementary teachers, at a push. Even math and science isn't too hard at Grades K to 8. But to teach Music, and some other subjects, you kind of have to have some specialised knowledge. And it's not knowledge that many people have.
> I'm just wondering if anyone has insights on why music roles are considered
> hard-to-fill vacancies.
>
> I know music is vast, varying based on levels and finding a teacher who can
> do it all is like finding a unicorn. Is this the reason? If so why aren't
> music roles filled early in recruiting and schools instead try to cast a
> wide net to get as many candidates as possible?
It's one of the teaching jobs that requires a specific set of skills. Let's be honest, pretty much anyone can teach middle school language arts and social studies - even elementary teachers, at a push. Even math and science isn't too hard at Grades K to 8. But to teach Music, and some other subjects, you kind of have to have some specialised knowledge. And it's not knowledge that many people have.
Response
You already answered your own question, ISs dont prioritize music IT recruitment because these positions arent hard to fill, in general. Of course theres a continuum, on one end you have the same situation similarly described by @popgirl where much like primary or lower secondary social studies it doesnt take a lot to teach a music class, assuming its a mix of theory and some rudimentary instrumentation and/or vocals. If the role is music on a cart as a fine/performing art, as part of a minimal enrichment program, and provide a little keyboard/piano support for theater, etc., then no its not hard to recruit for that at all in a small IS for example.
On the other end of the spectrum youve got programs that approach the 'Specialized Performing and Fine Arts' category. These are programs that prep students for Julliard, RCM, etc. They do professional level recitals, and have chair challenges that actually make (IS) news and are considered significant events that matter. An IS with a single, senior IT, junior leadership role for their music department has to be able to do everything and look like a master doing it. Everything from seminar/concept courses, to instrumental, vocals (accompaniment), choral/choir. recital, planning, preparation, and performance is a big aspect of this type of position. Recitals are one of the few times the ISs face is put out for the public.
The latter can be difficult to recruit for.
First, Music ITs of that caliber usually have a personal music career on the side and leaving there HOR can dump their private music hustle to the bottom. These edus are part of a local regional scene, they have some reputation that is worth something, and it goes away if they uproot. Likely a not insignificant amount of coin disappears with them (considering their private tutoring side hustle vanishes when they leave)
Second, many of these ITs are in essentially permenant positions. You give up a lot to pack up and go. Contracts alone can stipulate a protracted resignation process and period to find a replacement. Its a very nice place to be at the top of something great, compared to giving it up for OS, and the IS OS is likely to consider the first appointment/contract as a form of probationary period, requiring the IT to perform up to some expectation in a location they arent familiar with.
Third, DTs with established positions often have relationships that provide them a certain amount of cache that is attached more so to the DS and the position rather than the person in the position. That one non-competitive slot that College Uni. keeps open for Acme Prep DS stays with the DS it doesnt go with the DT when they become an IT.
So yes on one very polarized side of the spectrum theres a very small group of ITs at that level, but 'music' isnt hard to recruit for in general.
A lot of IE recruitment exhibits a wave, some years demand is up and some years its seems there are no vacancies, but that cycle describes a lot of content fields in addition to music.
On the other end of the spectrum youve got programs that approach the 'Specialized Performing and Fine Arts' category. These are programs that prep students for Julliard, RCM, etc. They do professional level recitals, and have chair challenges that actually make (IS) news and are considered significant events that matter. An IS with a single, senior IT, junior leadership role for their music department has to be able to do everything and look like a master doing it. Everything from seminar/concept courses, to instrumental, vocals (accompaniment), choral/choir. recital, planning, preparation, and performance is a big aspect of this type of position. Recitals are one of the few times the ISs face is put out for the public.
The latter can be difficult to recruit for.
First, Music ITs of that caliber usually have a personal music career on the side and leaving there HOR can dump their private music hustle to the bottom. These edus are part of a local regional scene, they have some reputation that is worth something, and it goes away if they uproot. Likely a not insignificant amount of coin disappears with them (considering their private tutoring side hustle vanishes when they leave)
Second, many of these ITs are in essentially permenant positions. You give up a lot to pack up and go. Contracts alone can stipulate a protracted resignation process and period to find a replacement. Its a very nice place to be at the top of something great, compared to giving it up for OS, and the IS OS is likely to consider the first appointment/contract as a form of probationary period, requiring the IT to perform up to some expectation in a location they arent familiar with.
Third, DTs with established positions often have relationships that provide them a certain amount of cache that is attached more so to the DS and the position rather than the person in the position. That one non-competitive slot that College Uni. keeps open for Acme Prep DS stays with the DS it doesnt go with the DT when they become an IT.
So yes on one very polarized side of the spectrum theres a very small group of ITs at that level, but 'music' isnt hard to recruit for in general.
A lot of IE recruitment exhibits a wave, some years demand is up and some years its seems there are no vacancies, but that cycle describes a lot of content fields in addition to music.