MTNA member survey results.

Who are the members of MTNA and what are the issues facing them? The 2005 MTNA Member Survey was created to answer these very questions. The results not only gave MTNA feedback on what it needed to do to be a better organization, it also provided a nice snapshot of its member base. Eight percent of 23,625 members participated in the survey and revealed current trends in the music teaching profession.

Member Profile

What is the makeup of MTNA? A majority of MTNA members are female--nearly 90 percent. Just over half of all members are full-time teachers, with an average annual income of about $34,000. The 44 percent who teach part-time bring in an average of $19,000 annually from the profession. Nearly a third have been MTNA members for more than 20 years, with 58 percent being members for more than 10 years.

Most teachers would name stability and longevity as keys in maximizing the teacher/student relationship and the student's musical potential. Many members appear to be accomplishing that. Half generally retain their students for 2-5 years. Forty-two percent actually keep the same student for 6-10 years. Survey results show that about 90 percent of members teach elementary and junior high students, while 83 percent teach high school students. Thirty percent teach college students and 70 percent teach adults not in college. While most teach private lessons, 38 percent also provide group lessons. The classes appear to be full, too, as 62 percent report being happy with their current teaching load and about half have a waiting list for their studios. As far as where lessons are being taught, 77 percent teach from a home studio. About a fifth teach in a college or university setting.

Technology is becoming a bigger factor in today's world, and it is no different for the music teaching profession. Nearly 80 percent of MTNA members use computers. Ordering music products online is the most popular use for music teachers, followed by using Internet and web resources. Along with computers, 60 percent use technological tools for digital recording and 57 percent now use digital keyboards. Members look for usage of instructional software, digital accompaniments, musical notation, composition/sequencing and MIDI disks/files to increase in the near future.

As the world becomes more expensive, so does the cost of teaching music. Members spend an average of $2,300 annually on music-related items. The biggest expense is educational training with nearly $700 spent per year. Print music and instruments are also big expenses, with teachers spending nearly $600 on each. Other expenses include advertising and music software. Students, on average, pay $43 per hour for private lessons and $27 per hour for group lessons.

Survey Results/Member Issues

What are the biggest challenges facing members in 2006? The number one answer cited was "maintaining student interest," with 40 percent feeling most challenged by issues such as keeping enthusiasm high, accommodating academic and extracurricular schedules and getting students to practice on their own. A quarter of those surveyed believe that teacher education maintenance is the primary challenge. About 20 percent listed studio growth, acquiring and maintaining students or lesson/curriculum development as challenges.

With the profession changing on a daily basis, it is important for fellow members to know how their colleagues are doing and be aware of their profession's trends--the 2005 MTNA Member Survey answered many of those questions.

BONUS BYTE

For the complete results of 2005 MTNA Member Survey, visit www.mtna.org and under "Quick Links," choose "Member Survey."