<p>I am going to be starting at Trinity International University in the Fall as a music major. I am currently stuck between an emphasis in arts admin., vocal performance, and theory/composition. I know I want to do a double major/emphasis, but now I’m thinking maybe all 3. I know I’d either have to do a max. load each semester, or do summer/may terms here and there to graduate on time. I am also going to be part of the honors program, and I’ll be commuting. Will a triple emphasis be insane or fine if I’m willing to work and stick to an academic schedule?</p>
<p>It is said that vocal performance majors have a bit more “free” time than instrumentalists, due to the differences (and health concerns) of practice time, so that might work in your favor.</p>
<p>No one can really answer your question. One major stumbling block at Trinity, or anywhere else, is the institutional, departmental, and private instructor’s philosophies and outlooks in supporting inter or cross discipline studies. The policies should be spelled out in the school’s undergrad handbook, typically found as a link off the academic webpages. Beyond that, you need to sit down and talk to your advisors once you have your feet wet. There may also be ways to build a “contract” major of cross discipline study.</p>
<p>Commuting and working compounds issues, as does trying to fit in all degree requirements with conflicting class times (and often only one time slot for a specific course). Don’t forget, you will have rehearsal, performance, and studio requirements.</p>
<p>Even with summer/May terms, the coursework you want (or need) may not be offered. Most institutions do not offer a tremendous amount of summer coursework, and what is tends to be in the entry level coursework in theory or history, and on occasion some focused music ed professional development. Performance faculty are typically engaged elsewhere in performance, masterclass or as faculty in immersion programs. </p>
<p>I have to ask the purpose of a triple pursuit. </p>
<p>Virtually nothing is impossible, but it depends on how much time, money and dedication you want (or have available) to put into it. You can maximize knowledge by assembling a minor or taking as much music as possible within the required degree requirements.</p>
<p>Do not bite off more than you can chew.</p>
<p>Thank you for your insight. My purpose in a triple emphasis is: I would like to do a performance major, as I hope to go on to grad study eventually and will need to know my instrument/voice well (I also feel this would aid in teaching/coaching privately), I love theory and feel that I have a natural inclination towards it, and arts admin. because I want to support classical/traditional music (it also seems more employable, as I’ll have student loans to pay off). I’m really stuck. I feel I could take arts admin. out of the picture, but that’s the only emphasis that would offer me somewhat realistic employment opportunities. If I take composition out, I feel like I’ll regret it forever. Another reason I would like to do performance is that I play piano, guitar, bass ,flute, and I’m teaching myself violin.
I also sing. However, I’m not REALLY good on any of them. I want to get really good on at least one, therefore avoiding the jill of all trades, master of none.</p>
<p>I would think about taking out arts administration. You can worry about that later, and do grad work in that if you like.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think someone entering college should be worrying so specifically about getting a job. (I know this is heresy during a recession, but things will improve). </p>
<p>With a BM, you can apply to any job that requires a bachelor’s, and you can also go on to pursue a master’s in many fields (we often repeat the statistic that of any one group, music majors have the highest acceptance rate to medical schools, 66%).</p>
<p>It is also just my opinion, but it seems that over-worrying to try to prepare for 3 career options at once: arts administration, performance and teaching, is kind of stressful and even scattered.</p>
<p>I hope you can start school off by studying what you love and thinking about what you really want to do. You have a few years to meander in your interests. Things really do work out that way.</p>
<p>p.s. have been volunteering in arts (music) administration myself and have some job opportunities from that… I don’t even play an instrument!</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m going to just do a double or even single emphasis.
I realize I have time to explore my musical interests, and I can do other things if I do grad school. For now I think I’ll stick with whatever I end up loving the most!</p>