<p>After reading numerous colleges/conservatories web-sites as well as this section of cc now I more or less understand the difference between BM and BA degrees in terms of the course of study needed for each of them (more musically concentrated vs. more wide and liberal arts-like). What I still don't completely grasp is: which dis/advantages each kind of degree gives to the college graduates in their future professional life? I mean are there any jobs or graduate programs where only one kind of degree is acceptable and not another one?</p>
<p>I don't think the actual title of the degree would make any difference. If there is a substantial difference in the program content, there might be some minimal advantagates to a BM degree for a student whose goals are focused on music performance. If a music student wants to go to graduate school for music performance, the depth of music training and ability will be important and this will not necessarily be reflected by the title of the degree. By analogy, I earned a BA degree with a chemistry major. At another college, my degree might have been titled BS. When I applied for graduate school, important considerations were GRE's, grades, courses, recommendations and experience. The subtle differences between a BA and BS degree would never be a factor.</p>
<p>I do think there is an important difference between music (and fine arts) training and training in the academic fields. Academics are very similar between insititutions. The graduate from an elite, rigorous school on average might have a slight advantage. In many cases, the graduate from a mediocre college will have had similar courses, with similar course content and textbooks and has a good chance of competing and success in the workplace or when applying to graduate schools. It seems to me that the differences in music students and programs is much bigger. The student who is admitted to a top conservatory is likely to have a lot of ability, dedication and many years of training. They will go to school with similar students and be in an environment geared towards them. Even these highly proficient graduates are in oversupply and few will make a career in music performance. For the more average, especially non-conservatory, programs the students often enter with only very basic music performance proficiency. The odds of being able to catch up to the level of the best conservatory students are slim. I suspect that many of graduates from these programs would not be able to enter a conservatory as a freshman if admission was based strictly on an audition. I am not saying that students should not go on with music training, but they need to be realistic about "their future professional life."</p>
<p>It is more a question of playing the percentages than one of being shut out of certain opportunities entirely. If you are talking about a job with a professional orchestra or opera company that pays a living wage, you can improve the odds significantly by studying with the right teacher, but those odds will still be very long indeed. If you are talking about the other 99.9% of positions in the music industry, there are a lot of factors that will be far more important than BA vs BM. Talent and dedication are necessary but far from sufficient. </p>
<p>In terms of grad school, it is highly dependent on the individual and the details of the particular programs. A student crossing over between a program that emphasizes performance and one that emphasizes a more academic approach is going to have some catching up to do, regardless of the direction in which the change is made.</p>
<p>myau: your question was about what these degrees prepare you to do in terms of a job. Bottom line: neither degree will get you a job, nor give you a credential for a job, beyond the basic requirement of having a degree. However, a BM will give you the core courses to audition for a graduate performance degree or apply for graduate music history or theory degree. A BA will leave you some courses shy for graduate work, if you do the minimum, but it will give other options. For instance, you could do a BA in music while taking all the core pre-med courses. You could apply for law school with either degree. You could double degree more easily with BA and foreign language degree. A library science graduate degree probably would be more attainable from a BA degree. Of course you can also train to be a performer from any degree program, if you are lucky enough to have access to good teachers. Good luck to you. Lorelei</p>
<p>Where does your D hope to see herself in about 10 years? Are those goals realistic? If your D is hoping to earn a living as a performer (a long shot for everyone), the BM is more focused on that path. But there are always exceptions. The new principal oboist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic has a BA in English from Columbia, and an MM from Temple. She took lessons through Juilliard, but didn't earn a BM. I also know a lawyer, who first earned a BM and MM in piano performance from Juilliard before going to law school. Your D's achievements and successes, however you define these, will depend on many factors beyond what kind of undergraduate degree she earns.</p>
<p>Sorry to highjack this thread, but any comments on composition as opposed to performance?</p>
<p>OP
My D started out as a BM (Flute Performance).By her sophomore year,she discovered a leaning towards research and interest in Musicology rather than ensemble performance.She switched over to the BA in Music on the advice of her Music School mentors ( her studio teacher plus a musicologist).Her ultimate goal became admission to a top notch Grad program in Musicology and she was advised as to what reqs she would need and how the BM wouldnt leave her the time to prepare properly.Persuing the BA gave her time to complete the German language courses Grad Schools look for,write a Senior Honors Thesis that fit the need to present a writing sample,etc. It relieved her of the time devoted to studio and ensemble work that the BM requires.
With proper mentoring,her Grad School outcome has been spectacular.</p>