Musical-Star, market manager, multi-talent

Why people drop out of music teacher training programs for secondary schools and what becomes of them. An explorative interview study

Abstract

This study is part of the cross-university initiative "MULEM-EX", which investigates the lack of students in music teaching degree programs. The study focuses on the reasons for students dropping out. The reasons found for dropping out range from the financial burden of studying and dependence on the socio-economic status of parents, to the expected burdens of the teaching profession and unfulfilled artistic aspirations in the music teacher training course. Overall, two broad trends can be identified as decisive reasons for dropping out: firstly, the feeling of habitual non-fit with the music academy environment and secondly, the existence of artistic or artistic-educational alternatives that are perceived as more attractive. The reasons for dropping out that were uncovered can be understood as indications of necessary reforms to the music teaching degree programs.