<p>Does your piano teacher say that you should apply to conservatories? Have you done any summer programs? Do you have a way to assess your chances? Being competitive for admission is everyone’s first priority when thinking about where to apply and for what major.</p>
<p>Conservatories are expensive. Since your parents are opposed to music studies, if you qualify for financial aid, you would probably want to limit yourself to music schools/conservatories within universities/colleges, which would mean schools like Oberiln, Lawrence, Bard (double degree required if you are in the conservatory), Ithaca, Hartt , MIchigan and so on.For a double degree program like Harvard/NEC, you pay a tuition to both schools, though I think the amount for NEC is maybe $7k or so for the years you would be at Harvard; at the schools listed above there would be no separate tuition.</p>
<p>Basically, it is hard for us to answer you without an idea of your level of playing, and more information on your academic strengths and interests. Do you have other academic subjects that interest you? Have you taken any music theory or history so that you know what a music curriculum is like? What locations do you prefer? Will you need aid?</p>
<p>If your main interest remains music, you can also do a BA Program at a college as a general music major, with less focus on performance or even no performance at all, in the actual classes. It is an academic major. Or a BA program in another major. In either case, you could then continue private lessons, and play in extracurriculars or even off campus. There are people who do this, including some top musicians. Sometimes lessons are available on campus, sometimes not, and sometimes students doing it this way still study with a top teacher from a nearby conservatory, though privately. This would take some ability to connect with a teacher and even some ability to pay. But might be a way to stay in music with your parents’ support - and satisfy them.</p>
<p>You can apply to colleges/universities as an undecided, attend music and other classes once on campus, then declare a major later, usually in sophomore year. Many do not require submission of recording or audition either. On the other hand, if you apply to conservatory/music school, you will obviously be headed for music performance, will need to submit recordings, and do an audition- all of which may require your parents’ support. </p>
<p>In other words, you might be able to make a BA program work for you, even if, right now, you would prefer a BM program.</p>
<p>Is there anyone who can talk with your parents? One thing I used to cite is that as a group, music majors had the highest acceptance rate at medical school versus any other major, at 66%. That was a few years ago so the specific statistic is outdated, but you get the idea.</p>
<p>BA programs are not necessarily geared to specific careers, but instead give breadth and depth of skills in reading, writing, research, analysis and organization as well as content in specific areas-- all of which are appreciated by employers. An academic music degree is one of the harder humanities majors and involves history, musicianship, aural skills, theory,composition, ethnomusicology, musicology, technology and so on. It is an impressive degree and results in very good employability. You can go to any grad program. You can also continue in music, in academia.</p>
<p>Would your parents also be opposed to, say, and English or history major?</p>
<p>A BM program is more geared to a career in performance, but can also lead to other careers in and out of music. one friend we have graduated in trombone but works for Sesame Street. Another works in a law office. Another in arts administration, and has done other non-profit work. It does not limit you. But obviously many doing a BM want to be professional performers. Many can perform on a free lance basis while working at something else.</p>
<p>Again, it is hard to advise you without knowing your level or your other interests. But if you love music, there can be many ways to do it. If your parents outright forbid major in music, that is a tough call and I hope someone can talk with them. I think it is misguided but many parents these days want to know they will get a return on investment and want their kids to do, say, STEM majors. Good luck!</p>
<p>p.s. Forgot to mention that a state university could work for you as well. They often have BM and BA programs. You could audition at the outset or, again, get on campus with your parents’ blessing then perhaps try to transfer over to the conservatory later!!</p>