LGibson1011

I'm currently a high school junior interested in majoring in music(voice). I just can't imagine myself doing anything else! However, I get doubtful when I think of all the cut-throat competition and how I compare to thousands of others in this country. Unlike most music majors, I haven't been doing music since I was 2, nor am I from a music family. However, I am 100% positive that I have the passion and determination. I'm involved in multiple choirs as well as my school's talented music program. I participate in shows, concerts, recitals, and solo festivals each year. My only setback is that I do not play the piano, which I know will hurt me in college! But I do love sight-reading/sight-singing which helps with ear-training and theory. My dilemma is that although my family claims to support my music interests, they do not agree with me making a career out of it. I'm a 4.0 student and ranked #1 in my class of 350, so they naturally believe I should go into some big-shot major that will have me earning lots of money after college. But I am extremely interested in majoring in music education. How realistic is it to become a music major and find a stable job after college? Also, what is majoring in music really like? I would love to hear advice from anyone who has experience in music. I've already begun my search for music schools. I'm hoping to participate in LSU's opera camp this summer. Thank you!

musicamusica

Well,since you are majoring in music education, you probably do want to go to school at LSU. Look into what the opportunities for K-12 music teachers are in your state. Perhaps discuss it with your current schools music teacher since work stability depends on job opportunities within your state educational system.This summer's opera camp also sounds like a great opportunity to interact with educators at LSU. Good luck! And yes.....you need to start taking piano lessons.

compmom

You should be able to study what you love, for undergraduate years. You may find that you want to be a performer (and perhaps have a day job). You may continue your interest in music education. There are all kinds of jobs in music, beyond these two, including arts administration, fundraising, criticism, managing artists, admissions, working in venues, etc. etc.

The other thing is that just because you major in music does not mean you are limited to positions or careers in music. You will get a bachelor's- either BA or BM- which is as good as any other bachelor's for jobs that "require a bachelor's degree." You could also look into double degree programs.

I realize that undergraduate education has become much more careerist these days (or should I say vocational), but it still does not have to be anything other than 4 years to explore what you want to explore. Even in this economy, and even with all the loans and expenses that parents worry about.

Do you want to go to a conservatory/music school or a college/university?

Maybe you could arrange for a teacher to talk with your parents sometime, naturally or formally, and that would help.

p.s. my daughter did not play piano very well but it has worked out w/theory at school (she did take lessons in early elementary school and then jr. and sr. years of high school); however, if she were to think about music education, piano would be more important for sure

pps You do not have to be a prodigy to study music! And hard work is a big advantage!

squiggles1118

I am a parent who was on the other side of your problem just a few years ago. An article was recommended to me and I am posting the link here for you to read and then print for your parents. The Peabody website (in the Admissions section) has a couple of other articles that may interest you as well and is a good resource.

This one is titled: "What Can You Do With A Music Degree"
Peabody Institute - Conservatory Admissions: What Can You Do With a Music Degree?

This was very helpful along with the fact that I know a number of music majors that have gone on to not only have careers in music, but also those that chose to attend either law school or medical school down the road. The one thing that my musical friends have in common is that they are all very intelligent. So your case about the 4.0 and ranking fit with this trait that is quite common among musical people.

Something else that I found interesting was when I went onto my S's Naviance system at school, the average gpa/test scores for those that went to conservatories was above 3.9 and above 2150 SAT (we have a very large music program.) Again, a confirmation that music major students are hardworking and intelligent.

So your desires are actually the way you were built. It is up to you to decide how to use it, whether continuing to a career or finding some part of that experience that will make you who you are down the road. We embraced S's desire to pursue his path completely understanding that it is he who will decide his future and make his own way.

One final note - we know of a young woman that was in your position (4.0uw/ranked 1 and a NMF) She desperately wanted to pursue music and was accepted to many top music programs. She was offered a full tuition scholarship to a small liberal arts college and her parents basically told her they would not contribute a dime to a music degree. Reluctantly she took the full tuition scholarship and went off to major in Math/Science.
At the end of freshman year, she came home, took her family and music teacher (my S's teacher) out to lunch and announce that she had changed her major to music. When her parents saw how happy and determined she was, they accepted her decision and today she is working in New York writing and performing in musical theatre. Something S's teacher said to me a long time ago and as a parent of a musical kid had a great impact - "you can force someone to follow another career path but you can never take music out of their soul."

Buranri

I think the key is that music degrees don't necessarily lead to music fields. That's what I'm planning to do - my hope is that I can major in music while completing a minor in something else, and then either get a job out of college or go to graduate school for some type of study other than music.

LGibson1011

Thank you all for your advice! It really helped me place my thoughts. And that article was especially enlightening!

musicamusica

Just curious, since you mention "majoringinmusic.com" in virtually every post......is this your website?