<p>Today I auditioned for Xavier University's music scholarship. After my audition, the head of the music department asked for me to talk to him face-to-face in his office. He basically told me that double majoring as a music ed major and a performance major would be more beneficial in terms of scholarship money and 'marketing' myself in the future. He seemed so interested in me, that it seemed like I would get a sum of music scholarship money on top of my already big sum of scholarship money I received from the school. He told me that because of their 90% job placement rates after receiving a music ed degree, I can pay off loans and save money for my Master's education. He told me that many Xavier students get a masters degree at CCM because Xavier performance students work with CCM and receive lessons and very many performance opportunities to work with CCM. </p>
<p>The downfall, they only offer a BA, not a BM.</p>
<p>If Lawrence University accepts me into their program, I know that they could offer me a double degree program in music ed and performance, whilst receiving a BM and a BA (in 5 years). The problem is that I don't know their job placement rates for music ed, and they cost twice of what Xavier costs (unless I receive scholarship money).</p>
<p>I am so happy about what Xavier offered to me, but I am really confused in how I should spend my 4 years in college! What would you recommend?</p>
<p>I would think Lawrence placement rates would be high. There are parents on here who would know more specifics.</p>
<p>I don’t see how you can make a decision like this without more information on what Lawrence would cost. Are you going to receive need-based aid at either school? If Lawrence is more expensive, can you afford it? Will a double major at Xavier also take 5 years? Does Lawrence have equivalent music scholarships?</p>
<p>Xavier’s BA in music does emphasize liberal arts, with 64 credits in “core” requirements, 54 credits in academic music classes, 8 credit in lessons and 8 credits in performance. For a BA, this is a pretty good percentage of classes in music, more than many schools. The BA in music education overlaps but has a lot of other requirements. [Xavier</a> University - Music and Theatre Department - Music Education, B.S.<a href=“I%20know%20you%20have%20seen%20this,%20but%20just%20to%20make%20it%20available%20here”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>So, are you interested in a broad education including liberal arts, or do you want a narrower focus? Do you want to focus on music performance or music education, or both? You can get what you need at both institutions, though Lawrence offers the BM. (Not sure why you say “only” a BM: it’s not a lesser degree, just different and more intense.) </p>
<p>Have you visited Lawrence? If not, do that, if you can, and look into the financial end of things, think about how may English and history and philosophy courses you want to take, and things will get clearer as you go. Good luck!</p>
<p>For voice? Go for the money and the teacher. And especially for voice-- not every BM is more intense than a BA as program requirements vary wildly. Your most important consideration?DO NOT incur debt for either degree.</p>
<p>compmom- Thank you so much for the information. I think that with the Performance/Music Ed degree it would be 4 years to obtain it, not 5 (because the music ed program is not a BA degree) and by “only a BM”, I meant it by saying that you can’t choose between a BA or a BM in music ed, only a BM. My mistake! What I truly want is a degree that gives me many performance opportunities to build my voice and experiences, and I don’t want to take as many classes that don’t benefit my music major. Philosophy is very interesting to me, but I don’t know how happy I would be if I had to lose practice time to work on a history or jesuit course. Though, I feel that with my financial future, I should receive a double degree in Music Ed. so I could have an obtainable ‘Plan B’. But from what musicamusica was saying, I need to spend as little money as possible because the music field doesn’t necessarily pay well,(not to mention that finding a job is very competitive as a soprano) and I need to receive a masters degree for performance for people to take me seriously as a performer (which of course also costs lots of money).</p>
<p>By the way, I did visit Lawrence a couple times and fell in love with it! Financially, it is about twice the cost of Xavier. I’d need some heavy scholarships if I wanted it to match X’s! I just feel like getting into a serious master’s program will be harder for me if I go to a school not widely known for its BA music program, opposed to Lawrence Conservatory’s BM program. Do you know if this is true, or am I making this up in my head?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the help that you have given me!</p>
<p>My D got her BM, but friends of hers that got a BA went on to study their VP MM schools such as Yale, Curtiss and Juilliard You can rationalize spending the money but in the end the folks in grad school care about your audition. That’s just about it.</p>
<p>musicamusica- thank you so much for that information! I was very worried that grad schools were more lenient towards a BM degree. Where did your daughter go to school?</p>
<p>I will PM you.
Basically, you STILL need funds after you get your MM for coachings, lessons, living expenses and travel. Debt can be an effective career killer.</p>