Advancing Excellence in Teaching: Professionalizing Vocal and Instrumental Music Education

Simones, Lilian (2025). Advancing Excellence in Teaching: Professionalizing Vocal and Instrumental Music Education. In: Parkes, Kelly A. and Daniel, Ryan eds. The Applied Studio Model in Higher Music Education: Critical Perspectives and Opportunities. London: Routledge, pp. 34–60.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003426448-4

Abstract

While many teaching professions have significantly advanced toward professionalization by establishing explicit professional knowledge, skills, and competencies standards grounded in core reflexive and reflective practice, this trend toward standardized professional requirements has been less prevalent in vocal and instrumental music teaching. This chapter therefore addresses this key issue, by proposing a clear vision and mission for the vocal and instrumental music teaching profession, aimed at fostering a unified ethos and practice rooted in essential values, knowledge, skills, and competencies. In addition, the “Echoes for Excellence” model, developed by the author, is introduced as a possible approach for systematic teacher reflection specific for this teaching setting. This model integrates the latest educational innovations into a unified framework and is embedded in the professional values, knowledge, skills, and competencies proposed in this chapter. The framework and ideas proposed are aimed at setting foundational pillars for vocal and instrumental music educators’ teaching practices, while promoting collaborative efforts to improve teaching quality, celebrate this diverse community’s richness, and achieve inclusivity across different musical traditions. Implications of the ideas and model proposed are discussed for leaders of tertiary music institutions and teachers alike, and the chapter culminates with a set of practical suggestions for both groups.