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What you say is sad but true. I have a friend that got his double Bachelor’s in Music Education & Performance. He is passionate about music just as I am. But he works as a cashier at a casino, a job he could have got with just a high school diploma and zero college.
Many years ago I was going to solely major in music but I began to think, “What will I do with this?” So then I switched to the clinical science field as people need hospitals because people get sick and hurt. A person can live without music although most would be utterly miserable but if you don’t have healthcare, you’ll perish much quicker. Although that can also be arguable. hehe </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I’m very passionate about classical music/opera and playing the violin. But I’m also practical. Our music professor for my percussion section in high school (I play drums too) came by every so often to train us. He got his degree at Juliard. He was very intelligent and knew his stuff when it came to music. But his average salary was $40000, and he had to work at a profuse amount of performances and was constantly busy. I can’t speak for everybody but I like taking breaks and relaxing. I don’t know how much a professional orchestra pays or how secure it is, but I do know that a clinical lab scientist makes a minimum of $34/hr here at my hospital and maximum of $52/hr, full time with full benefits and 401K. If being a full time musician pays more than that and offers full benefits and retirement, then that’s great! But I know it is extremely competitive and difficult to make it to the top in the music world.
Any ways, not trying to bring anybody down or say science is a better choice than music. 'Twas just throwing out my two cents. For those that are majoring in music, I wish you the best.</p>