<p>If you want to be a music education major with performance on the side, in my opinion, you would do best with a program noted for music education and preferably in the state in which you plan to teach. That way, you will have fulfilled all of the certification requirements. Also, you need to know that fulfilling music education degree requirements is very exhaustive. Most students who chose to do both education and performance take five years (or at least one additional semester) to complete the requirements for both. A performance major is required to be in an ensemble for four full years at most places. A music ed major is excused from this requirement during the student teaching term at many schools. I’m not sure how you could do both the term you are student teaching.</p>
<p>I would agree that a state university with a well regarded music education program should at least be looked at. I know that you can get a music ed/performance degree at Peabody (a conservatory). At NEC, it’s a cobbled together process that is not easy to attain…it’s not their area of expertise. </p>
<p>One thing…most public universities would be thrilled to have a fine oboe player to place in one of their ensembles.</p>