Music qualifications come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the majority of them relating to specific areas of expertise. Academic degrees in fields such as music theory, music history, and music performance, for example, are available. There are also degrees available for teaching music or providing music therapy. Music qualifications can sometimes take the form of accomplishments in a specific program, such as the Suzuki program. The instrument or topic in which the person specializes is usually identified in the qualifications.
Academic degrees with a focus on music are some of the most common types of music qualifications. Degrees may have different names in different academic systems. Bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates are all available. Students who focus on playing an instrument rather than academic achievement may be awarded a degree specific to performance. While a doctorate in music qualifies a professor to teach music to students, the specific topic that the professor is able to teach will vary greatly depending on the aspect of music that he or she studied.
Music degrees can also be tailored to a specific profession, such as teaching a musical instrument. Private music lessons require only demonstrated experience with an instrument and an aptitude for instruction, but teaching in schools may necessitate additional qualifications. In addition to their musical experience, music teachers may be required to have educational qualifications. It is possible that membership in the organization of a particular tradition is required when teaching within that tradition.
Music therapy requires different skills than performance or academic instruction, so therapeutic qualifications are often quite different from other types of music qualifications. In order to practice, music therapists must typically be board certified, which may necessitate taking additional classes. It’s possible that a bachelor’s degree in music therapy is required.
Music qualifications are usually related to a particular instrument or aspect of music. This is especially true when the degree includes a performance component. Although not all schools offer qualifications in every instrument, the majority do. Final projects for performance degrees frequently include live performance.
In addition to the various types of qualifications offered by schools, participants in special programs and workshops can earn qualifications. These credentials could be for a specific type of accomplishment, such as learning to teach a specific type of music. Any qualifications from a prestigious program, even if they do not lead directly to a degree, can be beneficial when pursuing a career in music.