<p>Hi,
My ds is currently finishing his Fresh. Yr as a Business student and is really unhappy. He wants to pursue Music Comp. either as a Major or Minor. He had AP Music Theory in HS and it was his favorite class... ever. He's pretty obsessed with House Music right now ( ugh) but is actually a very talented Jazz Trumpet. I hate to seem him so unhappy, want to see him pursue his dreams but... I have reservations. Advice?</p>
<p>Has he taken any music courses in college? At many colleges, music composition is focused on classical composition, and the music major includes a lot of theory and music history as well. Is that what he’s interested in?</p>
<p>He took Beginning Piano this semester and loves it. That’s been his only Music so far. I think he loves theory and history… I dont know if he knows exactly what he’s interested in… that is the problem. He doesnt like Business.
Wants to be in the Music Industry - but not as a performance major. </p>
<p>Composition at the university level is not what he’s ready for at this time. Why not just get a BA in music - study the entire field? He can also look for colleges which offer electronic music studios, or production courses. Doesn’t his current university offer a music degree? A BA in Music would offer him many of the same opportunities as a BA in Business.</p>
<p>He needs to look at what the music major is at his school. At my son’s school, you could take a music major with several different focuses, including composition (but not performance). It sounds like he’d be taking a beginning composition course as a sophomore, which would probably put him pretty far beyond most students planning to focus on composition.</p>
<p>Hunt, did you mean “behind” most students? Having missed freshman year of the theory sequence, I think it would be tough to catch up (unless the AP score might help him to pass out of the first level).</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies, he is looking into a possible Music Minor combined with his Business Major at his current school. Hate to lose that scholarship. His AP Music Theory would definitely help him andalso his piano oddly enough. So… he may be alittle behind but nor horribly behind. If it becomes his Major…another story. Will keep you posted~ thanks!</p>
<p>I did mean “behind,” not “beyond.” OP, he may find that the combination of Business and Music could lead him to some very interesting careers.</p>
<p>I am hoping, thank you! </p>
<p>College of Art and Sciences : Music Minor Req.
21 course hrs.
8 hrs all required: Music Theory I and II
Musicianship Lab I and II</p>
<p>6 hrs. of Music History and Lit:</p>
<p>3 hrs. of Applied Music
choose from Guitar, organ, piano,voice, violin/viola, flute,Cello/bass</p>
<p>3 hrs. of Ensemble Music:
Orch,Guitar Ensem, Chorus,Jazz,Wind Ensem,Chamber Ensem.</p>
<p>Plus 1 hr. or either Applied or Ensemble Music</p>
<p>That seems perfect for him and very doable. Now up to him :/</p>
<p>Can he sing?</p>
<p>Some schools offer programs in music business, music industry,production and the like, but if he has a scholarship, he can definitely accomplish the same goals with the path you describe. Hopefully he will do some internships too: that real world experience can really help.</p>
<p>If he has a drive to compose, it is certainly not too late to start studying it formally. Composition is a competitive field so not a good fall back, so to speak, but if he loves to write music, he still has time to progress as an undergrad, regardless of his major, and can always consider grad school. He should make sure to get his pieces played somehow while still in school, with access to musicians and a hall.</p>
<p>Good luck to him!</p>
<p>Thanks Compmom, will pass along the getting his pieces played and internships idea. Hunt - he’s a Jazz Trumpet , not sure if he sings… he didnt at home much. He’s at an Urban school so I am hoping he can line up some good classes and internships that will expose him to the Industry. He doesnt want to be a performance Major, I think he would want Composition or possibly production. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>The reason I asked if he can sing is that in some music programs, if you don’t play an instrument well enough to play in one of the ensembles, the default is the chorus.</p>
<p>I guess I would say that in some ways, composition chooses you, not the other way around. </p>
<p>Usually, but not always, students study composition because they have already been composing, though not necessarily for a long time (not all composers were wunderkinds). Composition cannot really be taught, basically. </p>
<p>Is your son envisioning a certain kind of composing? Classical, jazz, popular? Has he written any pieces? </p>
<p>I think it’s great for him to try some classes, and who knows, he may have talent for composing, but for many young composers it is a strong drive that cannot be ignored or supplanted by any other choice (even when the act of composing is a bit of a torment!).</p>
<p>It looks like the requirements for the minor can be done without any composing at all, actually… </p>
<p>I guess I feel a bit removed from it right now, he’s away at school and exploring options. I will be here to help if he asks… thanks so much!</p>