I’m going to be a senior in high school this year, so college applications are right around the corner for me. While my parents want me to have a traditional career (stable, good pay, office-work), I’ve always felt more inclined towards music. I’ve played piano and clarinet for many years (piano since I was 7 and clarinet since 6th grade), and I’ve also had guitar and voice lessons as well. No matter what I say to my parents, they flat out tell me no and that they won’t support me majoring in music. I honestly can’t see myself doing anything else. I feel like they’re forcing me to pick what I want to do for the rest of my life, and it’s stressing me out. I’ve considered the double major option to appease both parties, but they still won’t support me. What do I do???
Hi! I’m new to CC. I’m a Creative Writing major in high school (long story). After three years of writing for assignments, I have no inclination whatsoever to be a writer anymore. I actually REALLY don’t want to be one. Writing for schoolwork ruined my love of writing. So, if you enjoy playing music, I would say major in Communications (you can do ANYTHING with a communications major) and minor in music. You still get to play music and you’ll probably still enjoy it when you’re finished with college, but you’ll also satisfy your parents and give yourself a great backup plan in case being a musician doesn’t work out. Good luck!
This is more of a family issue than a college one. Why some parents think that they can choose their kids’ careers, spouses, etc., has always been beyond me. But then, if parents are footing the bill and attaching conditions, then there isn’t much you can do about it. Do realize that earning a non-music major does not doom you to life in an office (you can go in many career directions after college) and that many successful musicians were not college music majors. Three of my favorites come to mind: John Cage (Pomona dropout), Jimi Hendrix (Joined the Army), John Coltrane (joined the Navy). good Luck!
That’s a sad tale. I guess all of the music lessons were “babysitting to a melody”.
Your folks probably envision you on some dimly lit side street, busking in black tie as “Bunny Goodman”, playing Sweet Georgia Brown with a dirty Jack Russell as your only companion. It’s a common fear of parents whose kids took to clarinet.
What is on the ‘List of Acceptable Majors’ that your parents slipped into your backpack?
What if you looked at some place like Oberlin…where you can do music and other things? What if you majored in something and added music classes?
If you were to major in music, what do you see yourself doing as a career in the future?
Also, have you been evaluated to see if you are good enough to be a music major? Have you talked to your music teachers?
Also ask in the music subforum:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/
You can always find a school that has music options…and then play for fun, minor, double major, whatever.
Are you dealing with cultural issues with your parents?