INDEPENDENT MUSIC TEACHERS FORUM REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

THE CHALLENGE

It is essential that every member of our profession accept responsibility for creating an environment in which today's brightest and most talented students can choose independent studio teaching as a career that will provide a dignified standard of living.   Without fees and policies to support and accomplish this, we cannot expect to have fine  teachers for future generations.

WHY HAVE WE TENDED TO FAIL?

• We are in the arts, which finds only superstars highly paid.    Even in universities,faculty in arts and humanities tend to have smaller salaries than those in sciences or business.
• Traditionally most IMT's have been women who,in general, are less well paid than men.
• We often have been isolated from one another,with little sense of professional identity.
• Many IMT's got into teaching by default, without setting out to teach. They often have low self  esteem.
• Meaningful standards do not exist, other than in  the eyes of the public we serve. Teachers vary widely in musical and pedagogical competence, and in their educational backgrounds.
• A majority of IMT's teach part-time, and have  spouse who provides medical insurance and retirement benefits and a large part of the household income. all other teachers.

WE MUST RAISE OUR CONSCIOUSNESS

• Until we raise our collective consciousness, and work together to educate the public, the problem will continue to exist. 
• We need to maintain and improve our skills. This takes time, and is a significant expense, which needs to be considered in setting fees.
• We must convince ourselves that we are worth a reasonable level of compensation, and that we need to set fees and develop policies that are professional and fair to both teacher and client.

MTNA and state affiliate IMT Forums been working for years to do this, through meetings, seminards, and numerous publications.  It is clear from feedback from around the country that an increasing number of teachers charge in advance, have firm policies, and raise tuition regularly --biennually at least.  In areas where there are strong local associations, and where there is a strong sense of mutual support and respect, the situation is best.  The associations and individual teachers work together in educating the public and in supporting one another.  Where ther is rivalry, backbiting, mistrust, and a resultant lack of communication, progress is slower.

Whatever other progress has been made, no one can claim that great strides have been made in the area of compensation.  MTNA is rightly concerned about anti-trust violations that could result from efforts to standardize fees.  But while it is true that we cannot recommend minimum fees, nor agree to specific levels of pay, can we not look at ways which can answer the question of what tuition might be both realistic and just?

WE MUST ASSUME JOINT RESPONSIBILITY

It would be a huge loss to our profession and the communities throughout this country, if independent music teaching were open only to those who are financially independent.

It is essential that each of us individually and the professional organizations to which we belong, work together to address this problem.  Each of us needs to consider what our finanncial needs would be if we did have to support themselves, and we must all consider the impact that undercharging has on all other teachers.

We also do not want excessive teaching loads to be a requirement for earning a decent living.

Therefore, we challenge our national, state and local associations to energetically and creatively explore ways to successfully address this challenging problem.  In addition, we ask qualified, professional IMT's to step forward and accept responsibility for doing everything she or he can to contribute to the health of our profession.

The following "Model for Establishing Tuition" can be used by independent teachers as they see fit.

IMTF Review Committee: Sharon Bailey; Polly Kuelbs; Jack Wallace; Carol Winborne, Chair

How much income should an independent music teacher expect to earn?

What fees are necessary to charge in order to earn this income?

The attached Model for Establishing Tuition was created in order to help independent music teachers set fees that would enable one to earn a reasonable income if working full-time. It is necessary to avoid suggesting minimum fees, or in any way 'fixing prices.' Our profession must be very careful to avoid violating antitrust laws.  

The process described in this model, however, can serve as a guideline for teachers who are concerned about their own income, or about the income of the profession. Each teacher should ask and answer the following questions:

What is a reasonable salary for a Professional of my experience and education who is working full-time?

Consider what a teacher in public schools earns. You might choose a base salary, or one similar to that of a teacher of your experience and education, or you might choose a different professional's income.

What do I feel would constitute full-time teaching for an independent teacher?  Number of hours Weekly? Number of weeks per year? Summer teaching?

Remember that while a forty hour work week is "average," we as teachers and self-employed individuals spend a significant amount of time in planning and related studio work, and probably will not wish or be able to teach forty hours weekly.

What expenses are necesssary and reasonable?

The suggested example leans toward modest to average expenses. Obviously a teacher who rents commercial space for teaching will have significantly higher expenses than those who teach in a home studio. However, with the increasing zoning restrictions, more teachers might find themselves forced to teach outside their homes.

What can we do to reach our desired annual income goal?

We anticipate that the current tuition of most independent teachers (or college and university teachers who teach private students) is less than the amount he or she will calculate, using the model. Most of us will be reluctant to raise fees suddenly and excessively. However, all of us can begin to improve the economic prospects for our profession by raising fees annually. We might also decrease the number of lessons offered during the year, while not lowering tuition.

Why do we need to do this exercise, and act on the results?

It is very important that we consider not only our own financial needs, but also the needs of the peoplewho are entering the profession. If communities do not pay independent teachers enough to earn a reasonable income, many talented potential teachers will not be able or choose to enter the profession.  How sad it would be if the only people teaching are those who are financially independent, or who have a spouse to support them, or those 'cookie jar" teachers who take money under the table.

What is our vision for independent music teachers and students of the 21st Century?

WMTA INDEPENDENT MUSIC TEACHER REVIEW COMMITTEE

ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION

1. Business and related issues

Fees - develop a model that teachers can use in setting realistic fees,without violating anti-trust laws
Policies
Overhead and expenses
Taxes

Insurance

Health
Disability
Property (for studio equipment)
Liability
Umbrella

Retirement planning
Reimbursement for consulting
Sale of studio
Licensing
Zoning and neighborhood covenants
Taxes and fees for teaching

Providing scholarships or financial aid for students

Work-study
Bartering with families
Spearheading a drive to match unused pianos (or other instruments) with needy students
Securing money from philanthropic organizations or businesses

2. Standards

Certification/other
Continuing education - explore avenues for funding

3. Professional/Personal

Networking
Avoiding burnout

4. Strategies to address issues

State Newsletter columns
Other written information (sample policy statements, flyers)
Convention programs (state)
Workshops or meeting programs (state or local)
Informal networking
Internet
WMTA (or local ass'n) web site (most written info above can be put on-line)
Individual teacher web page

INDEPENDENT MUSIC TEACHER
Model for Establishing Tuition

(This is the target hourly fee - to be factored into annual, semiannual, or monthly tuition payments)

INDEPENDENT MUSIC TEACHER
Model for Establishing Tuition

EXAMPLE

This page was updated Friday, August 10, 2001 01:23:41 PM.  ©WMTA all rights reserved.