Hi, I’m new here, so I apologize if a discussion like this has been posted already. I’ve been searching for some help with my dilemma and haven’t really found anything too helpful so I thought I’d come here.
I’m about to begin my senior year of high school, and I’ve decided I want to go into music. It hasn’t been a lifelong passion, in fact, it’s only something that I’ve realized I want to pursue in the past few years. Given this setback, I’m not as prepared or ready for a BM program compared to other people who have been working for this much longer than I have. So my question (as my title suggests) is should I go for a BM in a more specialized area or a BA in music?
I plan on double majoring in either business or marketing, not necessarily as a “backup plan”, but just so I have a wider array of career options beyond becoming a teacher. I know I need to take this into account in my decision as well. One of my main concerns in what career options are open to me if I get a BM as opposed to a BA, so any insight into this is appreciated as well
Also, a different but related question, if I decided to pursue a BA in music, could I pursue an MM in the future? Or would I need a BM to do this?
Any help is appreciated. Thank you!
You don’t need a BM to audition for an MM (or at least not at any conservatory I’m aware of.)
I suggest, for starters, that you read the Double Degree Dilemma essay posted closer to the top of this forum.
You may want to choose between BM, double degree, BA or double major. You can also major in your other interests and pursue music with lessons and extracurricular performance.
A music major, whether BA or BM, is like any other bachelors degree and gains you access to jobs in and out of music, that require a degree, and also access to grad and professional schools, like medical, business, law or nursing schools.
Double majoring in music and business.marketing will not be possible in some conservatories, and for some universities it will involve degrees in two different schools, so check that out. Music is an intensive major , even more so for a BM.
Remember too that you can do internships, volunteer, and work during college and summers to further clarify your goals.
If you love music, go for it, but explore all the ins and outs on every website.
And read that essay!!
You can definitely get a MM if you have a BA in Music. I have a BA in Music and am now in a MM program for Music History and Literature (which is part of a coordinated MM/MLIS program, but that’s another story)! I also know of several alums from my alma mater who have gotten a MM or are in the process of getting a MM with a BA in music!
It depends on your other interests and how intensely you wanna t to study music at the undergrad level.
If you are looking at programs it is also helpful to review the required courses. UCLA and UC Irvine have BA programs that look similar to a BM program based on required curriculum.
I should never type on my phone! (“wanna t”). It is true that a BM provides more intensive training towards grad schoo, with 2/3-3/4 classes in music (BA is 1/4-1/3)l. However, there are talented, hard-working musicians who get a BA, in music or in something else, and manage to get into an MM program. You can take lessons and do extracurricular performance in many many BA programs, even without majoring in music. It really depends on how you see yourself doing music in the future.
Did you read the Double Degree Dilemma essay? Which person did you identify with?