Important Others: Music Teachers’ Perceived Roles in Music Teacher Recruitment

The music education profession needs the best and brightest students with potential to be excellent music educators to choose music education as a profession. Past research has identified several influences in the career choice of music educators, including important others in students’ lives. In particular, high school music teachers appear to influence the career choices of students who choose to major in music education. The present study surveyed a purposeful sample of high school music teachers to help illuminate these important others’ beliefs and actions on students’ music education career choices. Students’ love of music and their in-school experiences were perceived to highly influence career choice; direct encouragement and identifying students with a love and passion for music were frequently identified strategies. Through increased understanding of the career choice process, music teacher educators can work most effectively with K–12 teachers in music teacher recruitment efforts.