<p>Ah, I see. Thanks for explaining.</p>
<p>Well, as I’m not sure how intensive my education in music will be at UM (I am applying to other colleges that offer BAs in music, with only about 50% humanities, or rather, a degree that doesn’t require an audition, and also the smaller state schools as a BM major), but if I do go to UM, I will definitely want a degree (not in liberal arts) even if it’s not a BM, as well as a music minor, unless I will be able to take more music electives as solely an LSA student?</p>
<p>And yes, I have signed up for the UMich audition, I most likely won’t make it, but it should be a good experience nonetheless and prepare me for the future in case I want to stick with some sort of a music career.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve told my teacher about all my concerns (after being much more informed from all these helpful posts in some of my older threads/questions) and he said that going to UM would be “probably” the best idea. </p>
<p>Just for information, my piano teacher was a BM student at OU and went on to take a Masters in Piano Pedagogy, but he had to stop mid way because he said he needed money. I’m not sure of all the factors that led to him going to OU, I believe it is partly money, maybe high school grades, but anyways, since he was taking a BM, it sounds like he wanted (at least originally) to pursue a career in music. However, he said that he had to go take training for another profession (i forgot the starting position he had) from some friend of cousin or some sort, since he needed money. He eventually became a paralegal worker (and still is now) but has always taught music part time, and apparently he performs, however occasionally that might be.</p>
<p>He told me that the problem with pursuing a career in music or such, obviously, is that it will be harder to make money, let alone get rich. He mentioned it might be frustrating at times. I can imagine that happening to me, even if I enjoy music (though band teachers can make quite a lot considering all the days off and the benefits), however, considering his life, since he is still not yet working full-time music, I am not sure if his passion for music was simply too small, or at least he prioritized a higher paying job over his passion. He didn’t get a degree or anything in law or business, he just got trained and now is a paralegal. Perhaps the reason why he suggests that I go to UM instead of more “extreme” options such as going to a lesser state school just to get into a music program or taking a gap year is due to his own personal experience (which did not seem to be ideal for him).</p>
<p>He stressed that life is about balance. On one hand you need to be satisfied financially, and another… well you have to do what you love. Seemingly his balance is to do a 40 hour paralegal job, and teach private piano 8 ish hours on the side. He did, a few years back (he is now 45 ish), finish his Masters in Piano Pedagogy, which, I hope, means that he is still very passionate about music.</p>
<p>I expressed that part of what I want is to keep my options open. Even if an option is not ideal, or is inefficient, or hard, it will, at least, always be there. So I ran down the pros and cons of going to Michigan. If I go to Michigan, I can at least take piano lessons from a top music school, so I can continue to improve at a good rate, without majoring in music. Even though the lessons are only 30 min and not 1 hour, I can find help or lessons or motivation from all the great musicians there. He said he agreed that, compared to taking 1 hour lessons at a “lesser” school such as MSU, the reasons I just listed would at worst not set me too far behind. He also expressed (as many do here) it’s up to the student and, with a good teacher, he or she can go far. It’s not the classes, but more the private instruction. Hence, though I may not be able to take higher level music classes, I can improve my playing ability, which can help me to get into a BM program if I can’t find something else I like (at UM or transferring to MSU or other school). If I do find something I want to do, but also want to pursue music, I could, if needed, take a Masters in music at UM sometime. I don’t need to take it immediately, right? I could wait 1 or 2 years to catch up in skill if needed.</p>
<p>If I did get into MSU or another smaller state school, my options would be a little more limited because the only way the school benefits me vs going to UM is because I can be in a music program. Also, it would probably be harder to transfer to a higher school from a lower school than from a higher school to a lower school.</p>
<p>Basically, after explaining the possible choices, he agreed and said that going to UM for now is <em>probably</em> the best choice, also mentioning that many people don’t figure out what they want to do until they get into college and also that my musical skill is most important, not what degree I get.</p>
<p>Actually I’ve been wondering, and I’m not sure if UM would allow this, but it seems you can take a 2nd bachelors (not dual) after your first 4-5 years later on if you want (like going back to school). If I already took the UM english/math/etc. requirements, and already took enough electives to graduate once, would I only need to satisfy the core requirements (with the exceptions of the music credits I took in the previous degree) if I, for example, want to go back part-time and do a BM? If I go for a more boring, less ideal job, but get paid lets say, $50k when I graduate, versus $40k or so as a composer, I could easily do part-time for 3 or 3.5 (if my old music credits help out) and, with the extra money, pay off tuition. If I’m not missing anything, this way I can still end up with a music degree (again, if needed), with the only real downside being that I’ve started a few years later.</p>
<p>Maybe I should call for that and ask UM for specifics and what they think, I’ve heard that if you talk to a college counselor it’s always possible they can make exceptions. But I wonder how relevant my piano teacher’s experiences are, since colleges have changed over time and because I have read that back then, basically anyone could study music if they wanted.</p>
<p>sorry for the book :(</p>
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