AEC Handbook Instrumental Vocal Teacher Education: European Perspectives

For many years, discussions in the European Association of Conservatoires (AEC) mainly focused on the professional training of performers in music. This somehow reflected the opinion (still present in some institutions) that ‘teaching is something you do when you have failed as a performer’. More recently, viewpoints have radically changed. Not only is it clear that teaching is increasingly a vital component for professional musicians as part of their portfolio career, in which they combine various professional tasks. It is also understood that instrumental/vocal teachers play an essential role in society by providing access to culture in general and music in particular for individuals of all ages. In addition, institutions for higher music education should have a keen interest in providing education for instrumental/vocal teachers at the highest level, as it will be these teachers that will prepare future students in higher music education. It is therefore evident that this subject should be high on the agenda of the AEC and its member institutions.