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<p>Just to clarify, the performer’s certificate curriculum does not exclude theory (or music history), and the level and quantity of required coursework in these areas is the same as it is for a BM performance candidate at institutions offering both undergrad options.</p>
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<p>This is a personal decision, and depends upon your own goals, and mindset, and whether you you can live with or without giving it a shot. No one can answer this for you. It’s a dilemma many face. There are some anecdotes and opinions in the thread I linked earlier
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html</a> </p>
<p>The few musicians I’ve known personally going an MM route after a non music bachelor’s degree all had the “typical” high immersion experiences of conservatory bound undergrads. At the college level, they continued private instruction (within or outside of their college), participated in the highest quality ensembles available to them, gigged, and spent most collegiate summers in competitions, festival and high level instruction/performance opportunities.</p>
<p>You’ve got seven to eight months months to prep for either grad school or certificate auditions. Given your background as described, you probably have a shot, with success contingent upon the program and the pool of talent you’d be up against. Any audition based program is a crapshoot.</p>
<p>You might want to do some serious investigation as to programs, and I would speak frankly with admissions folk. You may be able to hedge your bets at application and auditions, and ask upfront if they will allow a dual consideration, perhaps allowing you to audition as an MM candidate, yet consider the same audition for a performer’s certificate admit if you don’t meet the grad standard. A bit non standard, but I’d wager you’ll find a number of programs might well allow you this flexibility. But I would ask the questions upfront.</p>
<p>Added:
Again, a word of caution as you mention both time and money in your op. Funding at the grad level does not follow the rules for federal aid options available for need based undergrad funding. Your only federal assistance will be in the form of a graduate Plus loan, in your name. Monetary awards, grad and teaching assistant stipends and positions are all highly competitive and are doled out to the most competitive candidates. </p>
<p>My guess is there is not much institutional money given at the performer’s certificate level, and it is my understanding that federal assistance is not available for a second ug pursuit once an initial bachelor’s has been conferred. As the PC is not a degree, but a professional/technical program, you should speak with knowledgeable financial aid folks as to what if any assistance (other than private loans) might be available.</p>