There are two types of teachers in music education in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: teachers and junior lecturers. The requirements in the training, recruitment and remuneration of the teachers of conservatoires are fixed in accordance with the legislation concerning the community civil servant.
The requirements in the training, recruitment and remuneration of the junior lecturers in institutions of music education are fixed by grand-ducal regulation taken in accordance with the Act of April 28, 1998, related in particular to the harmonization of music education in the community sector.
The students wishing to stand for a position of teacher in a conservatoire must have a degree in higher or university education (required minimum of a 3-year Bachelor’s degree and a 2-year Master’s degree) recognized by the Minister in charge of higher education, and take a competitive examination to be admitted in the training course organized by the community or the association of communities of which the conservatoire authorizes. At the end of the training course, the applicant must pass a final admission examination.
All the students applying for a position of teacher in music education must have a certificate showing they completed training in teaching and methodology. This certificate can be issued by a Luxembourg conservatoire or a recognized foreign institution. With regard to junior lecturers, it is planned to set up a certificate of ability in music education.
In Luxembourg, the only type of teacher training is instrumental/vocal music teacher training. Graduates are prepared for employment in Luxembourgish music schools and conservatoires. There are two institutions in Luxembourg that offer vocal/instrumental music teacher training: the Luxembourg Conservatoire and the Esch/Alzette Conservatoire. Both of these institutions are conservatories (but not higher music education institutions).
The programme of study is a two-year cycle vocational training programme. To be admitted to the programme, students are required to hold a diplôme supérieur of a Luxembourgish conservatoire (or foreign equivalent).
Teacher training in these two programmes is specifically aimed at pedagogical study, which is obligatory for music teachers with a new employment in music schools. Music teachers in conservatoires normally have a pedagogical study background they have obtained in European music high-schools. Thus, subjects of study include music pedagogy, as well as methodology.
Within Luxembourg, the final title to receive after the accomplished two years cycle of music teacher training is a Certificat d’aptitude à l’enseignement with the specification of the instrument, or for example, Certificat d’aptitude à l’enseignement du piano.
Continuing professional development opportunities are organised in music schools and conservatoires by the commissariat à l’enseignement musical – a department of the culture ministry. Additionally, the Luxembourg Music Education Society organises three to four conferences per year.
General music education teacher training is not offered in Luxembourg; students have to study abroad for such studies (Bachelor and Master levels). However, at the University of Luxembourg, music is taught in four study programs; as an optional course in the Master of Luxembourgish Studies, as an optional course in the Bachelor of European Culture (BCE), as an obligatory course with additional optional courses in the apprenticeship of future primary school teachers and as an optional course in the Bachelor of Social Sciences. While there are no specialized music studies at the Bachelor or Master level, it is possible ot obtain a PhD in music under the disciplines of arts and humanities and the performing arts within the focus of educational sciences.