guitardad

>Jazz musicians pretty much all starve, I understand.

Veteranmom, my wife and I really didn't need to read that one! Seriously, it means he gets to live at home again after college and continue to mow the lawn. He's our only child and we can live with that.

Guitardad

jazzzmomm

I actually hear the opposite about jazz musicians--that they are very versatile and can pick up work lots of ways.

violadad

Found a working link for the Chamber Music Institute at UNebraska Lincoln I had originally posted in post #26 UNL | Music | Chamber Music Institute

no1mezzo

ok, I'm a senior at CSU Stanislaus, Vocal Performance major, and the thing is, she will have to do alot of research of where she wants to go after she's done with that degree...some people actually go forward with that career (masters to doctorate) and some don't...but if she wants to pursue a career in lets say opera, especially living in CA there are plenty of small opera companies all over the socal area...Long Beach, LA, Orange County, etc...i've been doing my homework too...and also look into summer programs that are specific to that field... Even being a good singer cannot be good enough nowadays(unless you are so amazing) so having those on a resume will increase her chances in an audition for a company...also look for opera student programs there are in the area...for example Los Angeles Opera has one...which i'll be looking into very shortly...which gives you a 2-3 year intense study program and they can help find those jobs in the opera world and give you the option of a chorus role in their company here's a link
Welcome to LA Opera | LA Opera
...it really is all about research, building up a resume, and dedication to the career(which are a few) that can ensure a successful long term career... Its hard, and difficult...I know! confidence in yourself will help for the tough times ahead....

pinkearmufs

Yes, one of my best friends insists that she wants to be an opera singer. She sings beautifully, really, and I absolutely do believe in her. If anyone could do it, I know she can, but that's the problem - can anyone really do it? She's going go on into a graduate program. I would assume that teaching becomes a possibility then, if performance does not work out.

As someone else pointed out, people go into these careers with the belief that nothing else could bring them happiness, and it is a very singular goal, and a very difficult one at that. I think that music education is a great choice for people in these fields to make - because then you can teach at the grade school or university level (with the MFA) and pursue your performance dreams on the side. I have a childhood friend who was then and is still now a virtuoso violinist. She will be taking the path of music education and I always thought she made a wise choice! So I say that in this field, getting a teaching credential is a very practical move.

cartera45

Supporting oneself as an opera singer is a tough goal indeed. Even if someone meets with moderate success, there is rarely enough money to let you quit your day/night job. The opera companies are not particularly good at being accommodating to schedules either. Often, a singer is expected to be available all day long every day during rehearsals, even if he or she will only be used a small portion of that day or not at all, so keeping any kind of a job is impossible. It is also more important than ever for a singer to present the whole package - vocal talent of course, but also excellent acting skills and "the look."
I think my D would really enjoy having a private studio at some point. Again, working by the hour is not optimal for a career.

stephmin

pinkearmufs -

I disagree. I believe that Music Education is something NOT to be regarded as a "backup". Too often, music educators at the secondary and grammar school levels are failed performers themselves, and do not bring the correct mindset when they come to the job. That's not good for the kids, and certainly not good for the future of music. Only those who truly want to be grade/secondary school teachers (those that would rather teach kids than perform) should be encouraged to pursue a Music Education degree.

The lives of an education major versus a performance major are quite different. The music education major takes a larger range of academic classes and probably learns to play several instruments, and graduates with a certification to teach at a high school or middle school or elementary school in the college's state/province/country. A performance major is thrust into hard-core tight focus on his instrument, taking courses and ensembles revolving around this instrument, and is expected to practice up to 3 times more than a music ed student. He graduates with NO certification to teach anywhere, but if he becomes well known in the field, he may be asked to interview for a professorial position.

An applicant to college must be very aware of these differences when deciding whether or not to pursue a music degree.

Singersmom07

Agree with stephmin. If you take music ed you are being trained to teach. It is NOT a back up to performing. It is what you will be qualified to do when you are done. Performance majors will be focusing on their performance skills while you are in education classes. If you do not want and LOVE to teach children don't do it. If you want to teach college or professional level, the way to do that is to be a good performer first. .

uskoolfish

D is going to start her studies as an undergraduate vocal performance major in the fall (BM degree with an emphasis on musical theatre.) Although her school offers a music ed degree, she decided to concentrate more on performance and feels that she can make up the education credits in a master's degree program if she decides to teach someday. Although she will not be able to teach initially with the BM in VP degree, she would probably need to complete only a certain number of ed credits on the masters level before she could pursue the same jobs as someone graduating with an undergrate music ed degree. In NY state a master degree in music is required for certification in either case.

pinkearmufs

stephmin and singersmom - I did not think of it in that light; thanks for your comment and clarification. Now that I look back at my own violin teachers growing up (all of whom had original intentions of performing), it's true that they were a bit uninspiring, and I've even had orchestra teachers in the past who would tell the class regularly that "they didn't have to be here," that is in the class, teaching us. So you're absolutely right that a career in music education shouldn't be taken lightly, and I certainly don't mean to belittle music ed. as being a "back-up" career of sorts for performer hopefuls.

I suppose what I should have said is that for the right person who is interested in and inclined to teach music, music ed. can be a very rewarding profession that might still allow them a career in music, though outside of the realm of performing, which is of course more difficult. But as we all agree, those who want to perform will do whatever it takes to perform! :P

lorelei2702

Music education is a totally different discipline than private music instruction. It is a discipline involving younger voices, group/ensemble management, conducting, repertory for available resources, etc. Private music instruction requires a highly developed ear and technical awareness for the solo instrument and its capabilities. Training for either career would be different in many ways, and the only identical curricula would be in music theory, history, and basic lessons in the applied area.

Additionally, functioning as a music teacher in a primary or secondary education setting will probably be so physically draining that the applied music resources, i.e. vocal health, will be seriously challenged and depleted....the singer will be vocally tired from talking if not hoarse.

symphonymom

S was at the music store today and met a tuba player who started his own instrument repair shop. He had gone to an elite conservatory and evidently got tired of showing up at orchestra auditions with 180 other tuba players all auditioning for the same one job (and, as he said, half of them were good enough to win the job). So he decided to freelance and repair instruments. He started three months ago and he already has a thriving business (we are in a high volume area). He said he hated teaching, but he loves to improve the sound of brass and woodwind instruments. In the evenings, he plays in one of the local orchestras. There are other alternatives beside teaching for those who love to perform!

musicamusica

symphonymom---for a vocalist the "instrument repair" business might be a bit more complicated. What Soprano has the time to become an Ear Nose and Throat specialist!

MomOf3Stars

We just took D's Horn in for servicing the other day (not the new one ofc) and the guy at the shop was so knowledgable and started taking it apart and telling D all of these things on how to care for it that she didn't know about and explaining to her about the importance of taking the valves out and oiling that when we left she said "you know, I think I will see if I can help out in the instrument shop at college".

shennie

I also know a number of music teachers who teach and perform. Many of our local string teachers play in our symphony, which is a part time gig for everyone. The band teacher at the school where I work also plays for our local chamber orchestra. They all are excellent teachers who love teaching but also love playing their instruments as well. I think many music teachers still keep their fingers in the "performance pie" without sacrificing either. However, none of these folks are fabulous performers, just people who really enjoy making music and sharing their love with young people.