Here’s an alternative to worry:
Have faith in your musical kids and their talents to find meaningful work…in their 20s, 30s and beyond. They can define success in their own way as the years progress. Remember they get a bachelors degree so they can get work.
@makemesmart - with all due respect I think you’re taking the narrow view…absolute success for the tippy top or nothing. You may want to get your son out to interact more with working musicians and artists. My D did this in high school so it helped both of us understand the possibilities and realities. Maybe he’ll like it. Maybe he won’t.
And, musical parents will understand this: my D didn’t choose musical performance, it chose her. If you can talk your kid out of a performance degree, he probably should do music as a hobby. There was no way my D would stop pursuing music. Zero chance. It would be like telling a cheetah not to run. I have no control over it. But I have a lot of faith in her to find her way in the world. And most musical parents will understand that too. It takes faith.
Now that my D is 26 and self-supporting, I feel little responsibility anymore (but I do understand your worries…been there/done that…and lost the battle for an easier career route). I paid for a bachelors and a masters so…she can support herself…and is. It does work out bc it has to. I would just give up on the narrow view and open yourself up to many possibilities…even non-musical ones. College is only the first step in a long journey that will zig and zag.
If your kid doesn’t like that…maybe a degree in accounting?