benaturalx3

Hello,

I currently attend BU for music performance (cello). I love playing cello, and I love everything that I take/do right now, but I can't stop thinking of teaching kids or being a school teacher later on. I've considered double major for the sake of it, but I'd rather choose one major and focus on it rather than doing badly in both.

I've been going around school and asking for opinions, and so far I'm leaning towards to switching my major to music ed. In my opinion, if you have a performance degree in undergrad, most likely you would try to become an orchestral player, chamber musician, or soloist. But if you have a music ed degree in undergrad, most likely you would get a job right after undergrad and teach kids. Seriously, I love doing both..teach kids/play cello. I know I can still play cello while concentrating in music ed, but I don't know why I can't just get away from getting a degree in music performance.

I feel like I could switch my major right now, but I don't know why.. something's holding me back!! At this point I really don't know what to do - any suggestions? I want to hear opinions, especially from those of you who either switched from performance to music ed / vise versa.

Oh, and one more thing..if you guys had an option of getting performance degree in undergrad/ music ed degree in masters, would you do it? Do you think there's a point to get both degrees?

I'm so stressed over this problem and I desperately need help.. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIMEEEE!

violadad

Do you think you can make it as a performance major? Obtain an orchestra chair (that will pay enough to live on)? Most performers teach throughout their music career, either at local music schools/shops on a contract basis, develop a private studio or base of students, or a combination of both.

For most performing musicians, income is the sum of a couple of lower paying orchestra chairs, private teaching, small gigs and local venues, and maybe even a day job.

A music ed degree will give you the background, theories (musical as well as educational and psychological), student teaching experience, and a step towards (if not downright) state initial teaching certification/licensure within your state. Depending upon the public district/system, some will hire a BM performance grad if there's a shortage of qualified mus ed grads, and help you through the certification/licensing steps. Employability, as does pay scale, varies widely across and within states.

Most states will require you to obtain a Masters after x number of years.

There are schools offering dual majors in performance/ed, but I don't think BU is one; I may well be wrong. There are also some 5 and 6 year programs, culminating in an MM or MMusEd, combining the performance music ed disciplines.

There are also Masters programs in performance/pedagogy, where the teaching methodologies are geared to individualized/studio instruction as opposed to a group or classroom approach. Specific programs, like Suzuki specialization are also offered, at both the grad and undergrad levels.

ASTA ASTA | HomePage and MENC Information on Music Education. Information on a wide variety of music education topics of interest to teachers, parents, students, researchers, music industry professionals, and others. are great sources of info as is this Rice link Navigating Music Careers

These are general answers. My son was a 5 year BM viola perf/mus ed major for 5 years, dropped the ed part very short of completion (student teaching and a couple of credits short) and graduated Hartt with a BM in performance and a very heavy music ed minor to pursue performance in grad school.

Think about specific questions, and ask away.

lorelei2702

Is there that much conflict doing both in a five year program? You could do the BM now, then transfer to a Master of Arts in Teaching Program. However, it is hard to get the skills you need for music education in a short span. You do not have to give up playing your cello, but you will have more options if you do music education. You will have more academic requirements in BME, and that will take some time from practice, but in the five years it would take you to do both, you can keep up your cello playing. Good luck. Lorelei

violadad

From BU's own website: Boston University College of Fine Arts

I would suggest meeting with your advisor and the required department heads and investigate this option. You may need a bit more than the five years, due to mus ed course sequencing.

thumper1

I would only add one thing. First...my DS is a BU music grad and the program is wonderful. BUT it is mighty expensive. If you are looking at a program that exceeds 5 years, and you are paying full freight, that means about $200,000 in college bills (room board tuition). If you really want to major in music education, you may want to look at the flagship university in your home state or a state university in your home state that offers a good music education program. The cost will be much more nominal, and you will graduate with the correct courses leading to certification in that state.

Of course, if cost is not a concern, then BU is a fine place to get a music degree. They do offer a Masters in music education...could you pursue that after completing your bachelors...maybe on scholarship??

violadad

As a followup to lorelei and thumpers' comments, I agree.

If you stay within BU, you may be able to keep any academic or talent awards you already have. You MAY be able to even have them extended for the five year duration IF they were initially offered over your original four year program. You have to discuss this with with the department, financial aid office. At lot will depend on the school, their philosophy and funding, and your success within your current program.

If that's not possible, consider that if you transfer, you may have a significantly smaller aid package than you would get as an incoming freshman, although talent awards (including transfers) are pretty school specific. In general, state schools are more cost effective for a straight music ed program than private institutions, but the cost difference is sometimes offset by significant talent/academic awards from privates.

Another factor is your current status. Music ed programs are highly structured in terms of course sequencing. If you are currently a sophomore and could not switch to or add the music ed major until you are a junior, you might be better staying with undergrad performance and taking a masters in mus ed, rather than spending two additional years to finish a BMEd.

Again, your academic advisor, and department heads will give you the best options if you plan to continue the program at BU.

Here's one of my prior posts with a number of music ed thread links for additional info Music Education Major trying out on Vocal --- Dilemma!! .