<p>Read this about the different degree options in music:
[Double</a> Degrees | Peabody Conservatory](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html]Double”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html)
You can do a BM/BA, or BA/MM, for a double degree, or a double major, or a major and a minor.</p>
<p>A music major is a full 4 year curriculum that starts with foundational courses the first year (some can place out) and continues in a sequence leading to upper level courses. You might be able to do some of the foundational courses and take lessons and enter the music school at some point, but it sounds like a tough and maybe impossible road.</p>
<p>KMCMom is right in that for a BA degree in music, you may not even have to have any performance skills, though some programs do require performance. Every school is a little different. Are you interested in music theory, history, ethnomusicology, composition,music and technology, or are you interested in performance? What other academic subjects are you interested in?</p>
<p>There are schools with music business, music industry and so on and also courses in entrepreneurial skills in many music programs. You an also gain a lot of skills by interning and volunteering.</p>
<p>Do you want to study classical music? Or popular? Along with Belmont, you could look at Berklee, USC Thornton, maybe Bennington or Sarah Lawrence. There are others. It seems like a pretty basic decision to make before you look at schools seriously.</p>
<p>And yes European schools are more affordable, so some American students are looking abroad!</p>