<p>Does anybody know here about what are the job prospects for UMich people? Do most performance majors land a job in some city orchestra?</p>
<p>That question is too broad to answer. In short, it is a function of training, talent, skill, connections, and perseverance, and may well include the whim of the gods. Landing a chair in any professional orchestra is a dream that eludes many, regardless of artistry. Landing one in an organization that will pay a decent living wage is akin to finding the Holy Grail.</p>
<p>UMich’s music department probably has a list of “successful” alums employed in the profession. You might inquire directly. I would take such a list with a large dose of salt.</p>
<p>If you are attempting to assign a potential success rate for a possible career as a performance major from UMich (or Juilliard, or Colburn, or NEC, or Yale (SOM), Curtis, or Podunk U) you are tilting at windmills.</p>
<p>I’d suggest you take a read through these, and spend some time researching the profession, and talking to as many music professionals (including performance faculty, undergrad performance majors, grad and beyond candidates and degree holders, and chair holders in the nation’s few training orchestras) as possible. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html</a></p>
<p>My purpose is not to question your talent or desire. My observation is that you are operating from an extremely limited knowledge of the profession. Excuse me if I err.</p>