DISCUSS: Do music teachers make a valuable contribution to society?

[klavieronin]

I'm interested to know what people think about this, in particular piano teachers. Do you feel like you're doing good in the world by passing on your knowledge of music? As a piano teacher are you morally or ethically fulfilled? Is it something you have ever thought about or even care about?

Recently I've had my doubts. Music seems like a luxury to me at the moment but at the same time it is difficult for me to imagine living without music. While I am immensely grateful for my music education I'm also not sure it isn't something I could have done on my own (provided access to the right materials, of course - which is perhaps something else to consider in this discussion).

[Derek]

These days, most emphatically YES. An alternative to the endless torrent of social media, negativity and noise? An activity where you sit down and do ONE thing and it is calming and beautiful? An activity that doesn't even require electricity? Yes I think the world is in desperate need of music education. It used to be incorporated into nearly all youngsters' education at least for a time. I think it's really sad that it is being superceded and fading the way it is these days.

[ted]

Oh yes, unquestionably so. However, I feel it should be carried out under an ideal which is independent of money and materialism. If the teaching is done under the assumption that music is merely a business, or some sort of competitive academic medium, as plenty of teachers appear to do around where I live, then that is not so good.

[c_minor]

I'd also say yes.

I think some people view music education as less important today because of more serious issues like climate change (attention is given mostly to STEM fields). Admittedly, I used to think that music was mostly useless, until anxiety and depression set in.. I won't give details about that, but suffice it to say that music makes my life more bearable. While it isn't something that I'd be able to apply directly in my work, it still helps

[themeandvariation]

Perhaps not so much in the case of this one:
https://blog.musicteachershelper.com/king-henry-the-viii-musician-and-composer/


Of course, if piano teachers find themselves entertaining the question, i would posit that Most of them would say, "That is the hope"…

Better to perhaps ask students, and if the idea of self expression/understanding (with the help of a 'teacher') has helped them - in some way- to be a valuable asset to society..

(of course, there will be those - in both positions - where this may not be happening..)

[Derek]

I sometimes consider going into piano teaching someday, or even musical therapy or something. If I lose my job as a software engineer due to the bleeding insane pace everything is going at and can't find another job for a while I might just do it.

[dogperson]

I can only answer from the standpoint of a student:  yes, my teacher has made a huge impact on my life and has contributed to society that way:  a deeper understanding of music and musical interpretation,  gaining skills, and independence.

Could I have done all of this without my teacher?   In my case, absolutely not.  She has the ability to identify problems and problem solve based on her education and experience that I do not have.