Page 77 - 2020 Classical Singer Magazine January Summer Program Issue

Q&A with a Public School Music Educator
Meet Camille Casper Blackburn, High School Choral Teacher for 32 Years
What has kept you going through your career?
Incredible as this may seem, I love teenagers and I love making music with them. I keep finding wonderful compositions that I know will enrich their lives and help them to grow and I can’t figure out how to stop doing that.
You are an outstanding pianist with the skills to play open scores and accompany high school musicals. How important has this been for your career as a choral conductor and what advice would you offer the music education majors of today regarding piano proficiency?
I have a hard time figuring out how I could do what I do without piano skills. Lucky for me, my brain is wired for piano. I know there are many choral conductors who are very successful without being able to play, I don’t know how they do it. I think for someone who is going to teach public school it is imperative to have piano skills.
What if you don’t have a student who can accompany? What if your school does not hire an accompanist for you? Yes, you can do a cappella music, but you are missing out on a lot. I would encourage anyone who is planning to teach public school to hone their piano chops as much as possible. Your work and your students’ experience will be more easily accomplished.
What has been the biggest challenge to you as a music educator?
The biggest challenge for me as a music educator has been balancing my own life. Almost everyone who goes into education is a giver, and the hardest thing for many is to remember to save something for themselves. I’m not good at this.
I’m on the verge of retirement and have no
idea what I will do with the rest of my life. It’s a bit frightening! Maybe as I work to get that figured out, I’ll put together a process that could help others to make a graceful exit. That’s probably a good idea!
What has been the best reward?
This is easy to answer. It’s the people who have come into my life. The music has been glorious, but it’s the people. I can’t imagine my life without them. I can’t express how much I have been blessed. My heart is full, and yet there is always room for more!
–Christi Amonson
strive to be innovative educators and, likewise, those courses and assignments will feel like torture if you are not interested in teaching. We have banned the antiquated saying, “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach,” because music teachers perform for their students every single day. It is noble work. The salary will not make you wealthy, but it offers stability.
For students who feel torn between following
their dreams of being professional opera singers or pursuing teaching, here is some truth: your voice only gets better with age. Teaching for a few years can offer you rewarding life experience and some time to pay bills while your voice simmers. Although your teaching schedule will be demanding for nine months out of the year, your vacation time tops all other fields. Summer breaks are a golden opportunity for those who choose to keep up with lessons, practice, and auditions.
What Is Included in a Teacher’s Salary?
Each school’s compensation strategy is governed by federal measurements, including years of experience and level of education. First year teachers with a bachelor’s degree make the minimum and,
in all states, the annual salary increases with years
of experience and advanced degrees or credited courses. Your compensation and benefits package will include the following:
• Base pay
• Stipends (additional sum for directing a musical,
show choir, etc.)
• 401(k) or 403(b) employer contributions
• Health, life, and other insurance
Average Starting Salaries and Pay Raises for Public School Teachers1
Salaries in private schools are comparable to public schools, but they are not mandated by the state. An anonymous private middle/high school choral teacher in the southern region of the United States reported
a starting salary in 2015/16 with a bachelor of music education at $37,000. There was a third-year salary increase in 2018/19, and at this time the teacher also completed a master’s degree. Both pay increases moved the salary to $52,000.
Options for Part-Time Teaching
A music education degree can qualify you for many types of teaching jobs. Some schools bring in a part- time music specialist for specific programs once or twice per week. Private music theatre studios around the country are one of the first places parents look for private voice lessons for their children.
Some churches host Kindermusik or similar early childhood music programs during the week and, of course,
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