What I love -should I pursue it?

SmithieandProud
Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:18:48 +0000

Well, it seems like the best course at this point might be to prepare the best audition you can for college, and see where it leads you. If it leads you to the top top schools, that’s great. If not, you’ll have a better idea where you stand and be a better musician for having worked hard enough to prepare the piece. Don’t worry so much about whether or not you’re good enough, just try to make yourself as good as you reasonably can. Whether that’s good enough for other people is beside the point. The effort can be it’s own reward.

But keep your options open. a 3.72 GPA is nothing to be ashamed of. Apply to colleges with good music programs that can also support other interests you’re likely to develop. Keep in mind that you’re still pretty young and you’re going to discover things as you go along that you can’t even imagine at this stage. You might even discover something that you like more than, or at least as much as music.

And as others have said over and over, if you can’t get into a conservatory program or get the auditions that you want, you can still be involved in music, either professionally or just as a personal pursuit. If you love it, you will always find ways to make it a part of your life.

So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and prepare your audition and go for it. Just make sure to have a back up plan in mind. It’s good that you’re already pretty sensible about the challenges that professional musicians face. Keep that in mind as you’re making choices about schoolwork and music.