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<p>I would not be so sure of this. A lot can happen in a year, even with students who have been playing for a while.</p>
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<p>That depends on how the time was spent. If this couple of hours per day were to take a string player or a pianist from two hours daily practice to four hours, it could make an enormous difference. If they are already putting in five solid hours, then going to seven would probably not do all that much. Those numbers would be somewhat lower for a singer and for most wind players.</p>
<p>There is also another option open to those trying to decide between a performance major and a music ed major. It is possible at some schools to obtain a BM in performance and then get a graduate degree in music ed with another year or so of study. See [Overview</a> - Oberlin College](<a href=“http://new.oberlin.edu/conservatory/departments/music-education/index.dot]Overview”>http://new.oberlin.edu/conservatory/departments/music-education/index.dot) for one example.</p>