missing academics with BM

compmom
Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:14:08 +0000

Pianoparent, Oberlin and Bard both have dual degree programs; Bard’s is required for music majors, Oberlin’s is not. And your son will be able to attend many universities/colleges where a BM can be augmented by classes in other subjects, or a BA can be accompanied by many musical activities and study. Or, once he is a couple of years older, he may be drawn to a conservatory.

I think it is a little early, honestly, to be worrying about this. Two of my kids are in the performing arts, in college, and things can change a lot in the high school years. I would say step back a little, let your child develop naturally, and continue to provide opportunities for all options, as you can afford. I would not even talk about college options at this point, let alone career paths. But maybe that is just me.

One small point, that others have also covered, and that is that getting a BM, or a BA in music, is quite rigorous and time-consuming. At Harvard, the first year music history class is reputed to be every bit as difficult as pre-med bio.