It’s back-to-school season, and with that comes a flurry of to-dos, introductions, lesson plans, and well…panic, if we’re being honest. There’s a lot of pressure to “start the year strong”—but what if you’re just starting as a first year music teacher?

First things first: pause for a second and celebrate. Seriously. You did it. You landed the job, you earned the degree, and now you’re stepping into the music classroom as a new teacher. That’s no small feat. It took a lot of work, heart, and probably more caffeine than you’d like to admit. So take a deep breath, and let yourself feel proud.

Now, if you’re already feeling a bit anxious, or like you’re supposed to have all the answers on the first day of school, you’re not alone. Every teacher has stood where you are, wondering how to keep a roomful of students engaged and not using their instruments as pretend swords. So let’s talk about a few things that can make this first year of teaching feel a little more manageable.

You Don’t Have to Know Everything Right Away

Let’s get this one out of the way early. You’re going to mess up, and that’s okay. You’ll call a student by the wrong name, forget to print concert programs, or realize that you misjudged how long it would take to teach a certain skill.

That doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re learning. No one expects a first-year teacher to get it right immediately. Student teaching can only teach you so much.

You probably already have an idea of the kind of teacher you want to be. That vision is important, but try not to hold yourself hostage to it from day one. The most powerful thing you can do this year is to embrace being a beginner. Ask for help. Shadow a colleague. Message a mentor. Music teachers are a tight-knit bunch, and most will be more than happy to pass on what they’ve learned (often the hard way).

Start Organized Now, Thank Yourself Later

Look, you may not be a color-coded binder person. That’s fine. But you do need a system to be an effective teacher.

There’s a lot to juggle: lesson plans, inventory, student progress, performance dates, budget requests, a bake sale or two… the list grows faster than you think. Organization will turn into one of the most important things you do for your first classroom. It will improve your mental health, give you more free time, and set you up for a better school year.

Whether you’re a spreadsheet fan or a sticky-note-on-the-podium type, start simple and sustainable. Use tools that do some of the heavy lifting, like a digital planner or a tool like MakeMusic that makes creating exercises, assigning parts, and collecting grades easy. Just find what works best for you and be consistent.

Your future self will thank you.

Make a Plan for the Chaos (aka Classroom Management)

There’s no “one size fits all” approach to classroom management, especially in the music room. It’s loud. It’s active. It’s unpredictable. So it helps to enter the year with a flexible plan.

Think through:

• Your expectations for student behavior
• How you’ll redirect without derailing
• What consequences (and rewards) feel fair and doable
• How to recover when the plan goes sideways

Not sure where to begin? We’ve got a helpful guide on classroom management strategies for music teachers here, and don’t hesitate to ask for help or get feedback from other colleagues.

Zoom Out: Get the Big Picture

Before you get caught up in the day-to-day, carve out some time to meet with your admin or fine arts coordinator. Ask them for the year-at-a-glance: major performance dates, deadlines, district assessments, school-wide events, professional development days, even standardized testing windows (because yes, they will throw off your rehearsal schedule).

Questions worth asking:

• How many concerts am I expected to plan?
• What’s the process for ensuring performance spaces?
• Are there community events or festivals we typically join?
• How did things run last year, and what might need adjusting?

The more you know up front, the fewer surprises you’ll have later.

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel. Use the Resources Available to You.

There’s no prize for doing everything the hard way, especially as a first year music teacher. Plenty of educators have been in your shoes, and they’ve made some pretty incredible resources because of it.

Need an assessment? A warm-up sequence? A full lesson plan? It’s out there. Sites like Band Directors Talk Shop, NAfME, and We Are Teachers offer tons of resources. MakeMusic also has its own resources page with information on state titles, toolkits, lesson plans, and our digital platform for music learning. Take some time to look at what has worked for veteran teachers in your subject area, school district, and type of school!

And here’s a little secret: most experienced teachers “borrow” ideas all the time. It’s not cheating. It’s collaboration.

Relationships Matter More Than You Think

Whether you’re the only music teacher at your school or part of a full department, having a support system is crucial.

Eat lunch with colleagues. Pop into another teacher’s classroom to say hi. Ask a veteran teacher how they handle parent communication. These small moments build trust, and they make a difference when you need backup or advice.

Don’t forget the larger music ed community, either. Check in with nearby directors, attend local conferences, and join a Facebook group. Even a quick DM to a fellow teacher across the country can spark ideas (or at least a much-needed meme exchange on a tough day). Don’t limit yourself to other first year music teachers either!

If you’re teaching at a high school, don’t limit yourself! Perhaps your elementary teachers have something to share with you, or your middle school teacher might recall that particular grade and provide some information. When you’re at a new school, it can seem daunting, but people do want to help you.

Growth Is the Goal (Not Perfection)

Think of your first year as one big rehearsal. Some sections will feel solid, others might be a bit off tempo, but every day is a chance to build toward something stronger.

Set realistic goals. Make time for reflection. Try something new. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, adjust. The key is staying flexible and learn from what happens. You are responsible for the success of your own classroom, but in real life, that doesn’t always happen the first time.

As you get into the groove, look for better ways to track student progress, not just for grading, but so you can tailor your instruction and make things like parent-teacher conferences or check-ins feel more purposeful and informed.

And don’t just give feedback, ask for it, too. Honest conversations about what’s working (and what’s not) can be surprisingly powerful for both you and your students. It shows them you’re learning too, and that’s a pretty great thing to model.

Advocate for Yourself & Your Program

When you’re new, asking for support can feel intimidating, especially while you’re still figuring out what your classroom needs. But that’s part of the process. Remember that you have to take care of yourself to care for your students.

As the year unfolds, pay attention to what’s helping and what’s holding you back. Maybe it’s more prep time before performances. Maybe it’s a tool that can save you hours on grading. (MakeMusic, for example, can streamline assignments, track practice, and provide real-time feedback.)

You don’t have to ask for everything at once. But when something would genuinely help you or your students grow, don’t be afraid to speak up.

It also helps to track your wins. Save student work, successful performance videos, or notes from families. That way, when it’s time to make a request, you’ll have more than passion behind you.

And keep an eye out for your “yes” people– the admin who pops into rehearsal, the parent who offers to help, the colleague who checks in. Those small connections can become the biggest sources of support as your program grows.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Your budget probably isn’t endless, so you need to make it count. Look for tools that help you teach more effectively without adding hours to your workload. A platform like MakeMusic can be a real game-changer by saving time, simplifying your instruction, and letting you stay focused on the music.

If you’re not sure what’s worth the investment, ask other teachers what tools have actually made their day-to-day easier. You’ll get honest, practical advice.

And if your budget feels too tight for the tools you really need, there are other ways to find support. Many educators turn to grants, community partnerships, or booster organizations. Not sure where to start? Our blog on funding opportunities for music educators has ideas to help you begin.

Guard Your Time (and Sanity)

Music education is a calling, but it shouldn’t consume your entire identity. The emails can wait. The concert program can be finished tomorrow. Your students don’t need a burnt-out version of you.

Set boundaries, and stick to them. Schedule time for yourself. Say no when you need to. It doesn’t make you a bad teacher; it makes you a sustainable one.

There will always be “one more thing” to do, but the best thing you can do is know when to take a step back.

Embrace the Oops Moments

Spoiler alert: the perfect lesson plan doesn’t exist. Even the most experienced teachers have off days. You’ll run into awkward silences, forget where you saved a file, get thrown off by a question you weren’t expecting, or have a projector give out right before your big demo. It happens.

But here’s the thing—those moments don’t define your success. The best teachers aren’t the ones who never mess up. They’re the ones who stay calm, roll with it, and even laugh it off. Sometimes that makes the class more memorable.

When you show your students that mistakes are okay, you give them permission to take risks too. Be honest. Be human. That’s what they’ll remember most.

Don’t Forget Why You’re Here

There will be hard days. But there will also be magic.

Like the moment a quiet student raises their hand to ask a question. Or when your beginners finally lock in that tricky rhythm they struggled with for weeks. Or when someone walks out of your room humming a piece you introduced them to.

Write those moments down. Seriously. Keep a folder, a journal, or a sticky note tucked in your desk—something you can pull out when you’re tired and wondering if any of it is working.

Because your “why” isn’t always loud. It doesn’t always come with applause or glowing emails. Sometimes it’s just in the stillness after rehearsal, in a look of confidence on a student’s face, in the feeling that you helped create something meaningful that day.

So when the year gets chaotic, come back to that. The moments of connection. The spark of growth. The music.

That’s why you’re here.

And it matters more than you know.

FAQs for First Year Music Teachers

What should I do in the first week of school?

Focus on routines, relationships, and setting the tone. You don’t need to jump into skills on day one. Instead:

• Learn student names (try playing a name game!)
• Establish clear expectations for behavior, participation, and how the class will run.
• Play or sing something short and simple. Just give students a taste of what music class is about.
• Introduce instruments if applicable (but maybe wait to hand them out until your procedures are in place).

This first week is more about building trust than teaching repertoire. Start small and let the structure grow from there.

Are digital platforms like MakeMusic beginner-friendly?

Yes! And it’s a huge help when you’re managing a packed schedule. MakeMusic is designed with real classroom needs in mind. You can:

• Assign music and exercises digitally
• Track student practice (even at home)
• See everything all in one place
• Create your own exercises or generate them automatically with Sight Reading Studio

What supplies or resources do I need to start?

You don’t need to have everything on day one, but here are a few must-haves:

• A reliable tuner and metronome (physical or app-based)
• Extra reeds, valve oil, rosin, etc. (ask your predecessor what tends to run out)
• Seating charts or name tags, especially for large ensembles
• Physical sheet music and a digital catalog like MakeMusic
• A plan for how to store and organize everything (folders, lockers, storage bins)

And most importantly? A system that works for you. You can build your classroom setup over time. Don’t feel like it has to be Pinterest-perfect on day one.

How do I connect with parents and administrators?

Start simple by introducing yourself early and communicating regularly.

For parents, a welcome email or printed letter outlining your goals, expectations, and how to reach you sets a great tone.

For admin, loop them in on key dates, invite them to performances, and share success stories from your class. A short note about a student’s progress or a video from rehearsal can go a long way in building support.

How do I balance teaching fundamentals with making music fun

You don’t have to choose one or the other. The magic happens when they’re woven together.

Use music that students enjoy to teach foundational concepts (our Foundations Series by Brian Balmages focuses on just that!)

Add variety by trying different ways to learn concepts through games and engaging activities.

You can also let your students take the wheel (not literally) by giving them options for how they want to learn something, so they feel more actively involved.

What’s the best way to organize my classroom or rehearsal space?

Create clear sections for instruments, music, and materials. Label everything. And keep things accessible, especially for younger students.

You can also check out our blog on seating arrangements for more guidance here!

How do I advocate for my program to the administration?

Keep track of your impact, including student growth, concert highlights, and positive feedback. When you need support, share how your program benefits students and aligns with school goals. A clear, confident story goes a long way.
For more information, check out our blog on building administrator support and advocacy.