TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - The performance degree...myth or reality?

misty.sj · 01-30-2008, 02:47 PM

I've only finished reading the first page of this thread. I'm going to go back and read the rest, but I wanted to chime in as a 'failed' music major.

I entered college on a full French horn scholarship, as a music performance major. I don't want to say that I didn't have the chops, but I certainly didn't have the practice ethic down pat at that stage. Being the only horn in a relatively small school with a relatively active music department, and having scholarship pressure, really wore me down. I was in 4-5 groups at a time, taking courses full-time, and working part-time.

I think you have to be a very special sort of individual to make it as a performance major, but as any sort of music major as well. It's such a practical, and yet such a cerebral degree.

I actually ended up with a computer science major and double minor in music and German. I was so burned out on music by the time I graduated that one of the first things I did was to sell my horn, and not to think about music again for at least two years.

And I am fully aware that if school took that kind of a toll on me, I would never have made it as a professional performer. I am in the right career, and I'm finally in a mindset where I can think about music again, for FUN.

I think that before a student accepts the responsibility of merit scholarships in music, one should think long and hard about the pressure it will put you under. Even without the scholarship angle, ask yourself honestly if you actually have the stamina and willpower to put in the hours of practice, piled upon hours of orchestra, wind ensemble, lessons, and extra gigs, above and beyond your normal course-work. You will not have a life, you will be constantly sleep-deprived, and you certainly aren't even remotely guaranteed a job of any kind when you get done.

I'm sorry if this sounds so negative, but it takes a very special sort of person to succeed as a music major. I really think that is the wringer through which you are put to see if you will be able to handle the (even more grueling) life of a jobbing musician after you earn your degree.

01-30-2008, 02:47 PM	#25 (permalink)
misty.sj Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 708	Re: The performance degree...myth or reality? I've only finished reading the first page of this thread. I'm going to go back and read the rest, but I wanted to chime in as a 'failed' music major. I entered college on a full French horn scholarship, as a music performance major. I don't want to say that I didn't have the chops, but I certainly didn't have the practice ethic down pat at that stage. Being the only horn in a relatively small school with a relatively active music department, and having scholarship pressure, really wore me down. I was in 4-5 groups at a time, taking courses full-time, and working part-time. I think you have to be a very special sort of individual to make it as a performance major, but as any sort of music major as well. It's such a practical, and yet such a cerebral degree. I actually ended up with a computer science major and double minor in music and German. I was so burned out on music by the time I graduated that one of the first things I did was to sell my horn, and not to think about music again for at least two years. And I am fully aware that if school took that kind of a toll on me, I would never have made it as a professional performer. I am in the right career, and I'm finally in a mindset where I can think about music again, for FUN. I think that before a student accepts the responsibility of merit scholarships in music, one should think long and hard about the pressure it will put you under. Even without the scholarship angle, ask yourself honestly if you actually have the stamina and willpower to put in the hours of practice, piled upon hours of orchestra, wind ensemble, lessons, and extra gigs, above and beyond your normal course-work. You will not have a life, you will be constantly sleep-deprived, and you certainly aren't even remotely guaranteed a job of any kind when you get done. I'm sorry if this sounds so negative, but it takes a very special sort of person to succeed as a music major. I really think that is the wringer through which you are put to see if you will be able to handle the (even more grueling) life of a jobbing musician after you earn your degree.