missing academics with BM

roscatcello
Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:42:34 +0000

For the record, there are numerous accounts of musicians who got into grad school for performance but did their undergrad in entirely non-related disciplines. It’s really all up to the individual and how much work they put in. You can train to be a performer and not be enrolled in a performing degree, although the opportunities afforded to one in a performance-oriented degree are of course innumerable.

I am also of the mind that the best musicians are well-rounded people who fulfill their minds and hearts with a variety of passions. Conservatory training is great, but for many, the opportunity to sample outside of their major is helpful and rewarding in the extreme. A BM is one of THE most work-intensive things you can undertake, so no worries there at any rate…

Yes, a music double degree program can be intensely challenging but it is certainly not impossible. I just collaborated with a piano BM at my school who is also majoring in civil engineering.
If your son ends up going the double degree route, may I add as well that it will be essential for him to seriously analyze how he practices. He must learn to do it efficiently, if he has not already…in order to avoid wasting mindless hours in the practice room which could be spent studying for other classes, and to optimize his growth.

One more thing…freshman in HS is not too early. I met and played for some professors at my top choice school as a freshman and visited with them again about a year later. The advice they offered was priceless and they have had a chance to see me return stronger and demonstrate my persistance and desire to study under them.
A nice rapport has been established and I thoroughly intend to attend the grad school there once I graduate from my current university.
Good luck!