Double Major combinations for Music

<p>klkl, with voice, your son has more time to pursue other areas of study as you can’t train the voice intensively until further into his 20s. Architecture is usually studied at the graduate level, so that the architects I know took their undergraduate work in fine arts and other fields. I do know someone who graduated from Juilliard precollege and is currently continuing his music at Princeton while majoring in architecture (at least, as of this week). Keep searching for the schools that will let your son do what he wants!</p>

<p>Based on what is written above, I would imagine that a BA in Music with a concentration in business would allow the student to enter the music field in the business side. It would assist the student to follow their “love” of music, but also make money.</p>

<p>Is this something that is done in college or is it rare to combine these two fields of study?</p>

<p>JohnAdams, the short answer to your question is yes. There are specific multidisciplinary major concentrations at a number of schools. Some of them are mentioned or discussed here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/19548-music-business-major.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/19548-music-business-major.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The long answer lies in the details. BA versus BM concentrations, audition versus non-audition based programs, and whether the specific curriculum focus is geared more to music management/administration, promotion and marketing, the recording, production and engineering aspects. A number of schools offer multiple degree paths with specific focus and concentration.</p>

<p>Some fairly extensive detail can be found here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/787110-music-industry-program-major-minor-help.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/787110-music-industry-program-major-minor-help.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>iluvpiano (and jp0701), I’d suggest that you read this <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&lt;/a&gt; and consider sharing it with your parents.</p>

<p>One can argue that a BA or BS degree in history, (I have one), political science, international relations, or even economics is no more marketable than a BM or BA in performance or another music specialty. Many entry level jobs are interested only in a four year degree, discipline is not important. </p>

<p>The recent economic downturn has made the job market tough, and unemployment is expected to remain high for a number of years. Corporate/business mentality and philosophy has shifted dramatically over the last twenty years. This isn’t your parents job market, not do I expect it will return to what most of the 'rents here will recall as their mainstream experience. </p>

<p>It will be difficult for many, regardless of type of degree on the sheepskin.</p>

<p>You need to double major. You can’t do anything with a music degree alone.</p>

<p>Gutsy move 6chars. Second post EVER on CC and you want to weigh in on the Music Majors thread with that insightful crack.</p>

<p>6chars, I beg to differ with that generalization. One example of many I could provide: my wife’s only degree is a bachelor of music education from a small LAC that has never been in the top 50 of the USN&WR LAC ratings and some years is not even in the top 100. I have a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from a perennial top 25 national institution plus a masters in electrical engineering from a well known technical school. She works for a major insurance company and is doing a lot better than I am these days in terms of employment. I know dozens of other highly successful professionals both in and out of the arts whose only degrees are in the field of music.</p>

<p>Now don’t get me wrong. I am generally supportive of higher education and agree that a second degree in some non-musical fields can provide options that a music degree alone does not, but this is not a one-size-fits all situation. There are students for whom a second degree is highly desirable or even necessary for what they hope to accomplish with their lives. There are also students for whom a music degree alone will do just fine, even though they may wind up in a career that has nothing at all to do with music. I have been told by corporate HR professionals that they highly value employees with music degrees because of their superior skills in teamwork, networking and time management, and for the discipline they show when learning new skills.</p>