I am a classical music performance major studying at a top conservatory in the U.S. with a well-known teacher. I am on a full scholarship, so I will not have to worry about debt when I leave.
When I first enrolled, I thought that I had a good chance at a music career. I’ve done well at the school with making connections and playing in principal positions. However I am seeing that even people who “made it” by getting into major symphonies can deal with major issues like the San Antonio Symphony shutting down in 2022 or the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s lockout in 2013. I’m also battling playing-related injuries.
I might just be burnt out, but I think I maybe should switch careers. I am entering my senior year, so it is too late to switch majors. What are some other paths I could go down? I am also considering going back to school.
I’ve read about some but there seem to be some issues:
Med school (student debt, prerequisites, MCAT, etc)
Law school (debt, and many don’t end up working in law)
Schoolteacher (need to pay for teaching license)
IT (market is bad rn)
CS (need to go back to school and market also not great for entry level)
I’d love any input! I am not comfortable bringing this up to my teacher or parents yet because of their investments in me.
Finish your music performance degree. Perhaps the best thing to do is take some time after undergrad. Get a job. Maybe teach private lessons. Continue to play in some kind of ensembles while also exploring other options.
Music majors do all sorts of things. The music majors we know have became certified financial planners, bookkeepers, nurses, lawyers, college instructors, work in music administration, public school educators, members of military ensembles, composers. These are real people we know.
Having a degree in music shows an incredible amount of discipline and dedication.
And don’t give up! Do some auditions for some ensembles. Ask your private teacher for suggestions…they will have some. You need to keep your ears to the ground for these auditions.
Thank you so much for the advice!! I plan to try and get an internship for arts administration during senior year. I was good at math and coding in high school and am now curious if I can do something related to those fields as well.
I am also currently taking a 3-week break from violin before I need to get back in shape for summer festivals to see if that helps with burn out and injuries. I will also consider doing a gap year/semester after undergrad and working during that time.
Math and music are skills that frequently go together. I have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and have worked in high tech my entire career. I have multiple times in my career been at a music event, and seen someone I know from work get up on stage and play. On at least one of these occasions this was right before I went up on stage and played.
Mathematics is useful for a wide variety of careers, although a degree in math is usually more useful if you also have some knowledge of computers and programming.
It is not unheard of for a person to have more than one bachelor’s degree.
With a BM in music you have access to grad/professional schools as well as many jobs that require a bachelor’s. In my view, you do not need to think about the kinds of specific job categories you cite, but instead remain flexible. I know several musicians who have “day jobs.” And several who play in smaller ensembles as their sole financial support (with lots of travel). And some have left music to work in children’s tv, go to grad school in medieval history, work in college advising, or even do real estate!
One thing you can do is peruse job listings to get an idea of the variety of positions you might qualify for. In the meantime continue with violin and exploring that route (if your injuries allow, and hope they are being treated!). Interning is a good idea: my kid interned with an orchestra and with a Grammy-winning agency during undergrad. Helping to organize things on campus, and participating in outreach can also help.
I know a dancer who did a post-bacc in programming at Tufts. UVM, Cornell and others have a variety of certificates available for college grads.
The feeling of burnout may be temporary and you may be in a sort of “sophomore slump” though it is junior year! But it is also wise to remain open to various paths. There is no obligation to use the BM for a music career, and since it can be a hard path, I hope you either love it or find a way to work in another field while keeping music in your life. Your time and hard work in music will never be wasted: music majors are respected for their work ethic and discipline.
I read your question on the other forum. You can see the different perspectives between that forum and this one. The other forum is not only negative toward you pursuing a career as a violinist but also every single individual who posts about pursuing a degree in violin performance.
Realistically, you need to evaluate what you want out of life. Not all people value the same things. I can assure you that our family’s values and goals do not mesh with probably 99% of the posters on this forum. Neither do the mesh with the other forum’s. You need to know what you want. There is a difference between being financially stable and being financially well off. There is a difference between being a performer and being a player. Do you want a routine job with regular hrs and consistent pay? Are you willing to gig/teach and create your jobs that pay? Are you willing to live very humbly in order to live music? How much does music matter to you in bringing joy to your life every day?
People who tell you to walk away and keep violin on the side are not you. People who tell you to stay firm and pursue violin performance are not you. What is right for anyone else doesn’t matter. All that matters is what is right for you.
Definitely finish the degree you are currently pursuing regardless of feelings of doubt. At the bare minimum, you will have your degree. Forging a new path forward at that pt makes far more sense than altering your path now.
FWIW, we have been having these conversations on a regular basis with our now 15 yod. She lives and breathes music. It is the source of joy in her life. We have encouraged her to consider alternatives, but all other prospects dull her spirit. We have instead started encouraging her to focus on ways she can use this love to create a living. Musicians are creative by default. Use that creativity to think outside of the box, not the can’t’s but the how about’s.