Music and Business double major

bridgenail
Fri, 05 Feb 2016 16:51:34 +0000

At IU, there is the BSOF (Bachelor of Science in Music with an Outside Field) degree offered through the Jacobs School of Music. You may want to go on the music school website to learn more about it. A popular outside field is arts administration. It is for music students who want conservatory level music training with room to study another area as well. A BM student would spend about 75% of their time in music study and 25% of their time in general ed classes (with AP classes - this number can be reduced to allow extra study in music or elsewhere in the school). A BSOF will spend 50% in music study, 25% in the OF area, and 25% in general ed (or with AP classes you can do more in music or your OF).

At IU if he went into the business school, he would have little to no opportunity in music besides general choirs.

So important questions: Knowing the above, what does he want to lead with - music or business? Or is it truly both - dual degree? How do schools accommodate this? There are some LACs that would allow him to go into the business program and still have great music training. Would he prefer that? And what would a class schedule for 4 or 5 years look like in the various program? Class schedules are available and very informative - BM vs BS/BA vs BM&BS etc.

You’re getting a lot of good advice. And it is very true that music is different and intense at the college level. So just be open to hearing that…but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. Looking at class schedules and understanding performance demands should help him decide (Note: at IU you have to be in an ensemble each semester which meets in the evenings - this often conflicts with the OF area that requires evening meetings - scheduling is REALLY an issue to be aware of).

He has a great background and will end up at the right place in the right program soon enough.

And…just one more thing…if he does do sample lessons, the teachers may ask questions that we are asking…like the list of schools or his goals…so not a bad idea to be thinking these out now - not to give the “right” answer but to show he is knowledgeable about programs.