Abstract
One challenge in the education of music teachers is helping them prepare to teach students beyond the traditional school years in a variety of settings. In so doing, music teacher educators should consider: (a) how they can prepare all music majors to engage with community adults through music; (b) how they can better prepare teachers to teach people of all ages in a diverse array of settings in and beyond schools; (c) how they might infuse a lifespan perspective in existing music education courses, from introduction to music education to methods and graduate courses in philosophy; (d) how community music can become a specialized track in music education, at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels; and (e) how they may incorporate additional resources (e.g., personnel, materials, field experience locations) to realize the aforementioned possibilities. This article considers adult characteristics and developmental theories in relation to a lifespan perspective in music teacher education programs.