<p>I was on this site a lot last year to help my daughter choose/get accepted to college to major in vocal performance. She’s at a great school for opera (Simpson College) and having a great experience. </p>
<p>One thing I’ve noticed from her comments, though, is the number of students dropping their music major as freshman. I was wondering if anyone has heard any numbers about the percentage of students who start as a vocal performance major and make it to graduation in music??? My daughter doesn’t show any signs of changing her major, the passion and interest is burning bright, but I was just wondering what’s going on out there.
(P.S. I have a BM and MME, so I’m one that made it through).</p>
<p>PattiJoA</p>
<p>Does Simpson have stats available? I’m sure it’s different at every school and the reasons for dropping are as varied as any other major. I do know that at some schools where the audition requirements are not highly competitive, the incoming freshman vocalists are a little naive as to the hard work and dedication involved in music study. Music theory alone, is enough to send many of the inexperienced to the doors. Since you have a background in music, your D was probably well prepared.</p>
<p>I am acquainted with 3 kids who left their schools freshman year, but that is different from dropping the major. All of them were voice performance majors. Two of them were unhappy with their voice teachers and decided to go to a local college and take private lessons. Another couldn’t deal with the drama of finding out that if you didn’t have a particular teacher, you were relegated to obscurity. That student transferred. I also know a girl who changed her major to music ed because she realized she enjoyed choral work more than solo work.</p>