Freshman schedule for a music major?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I'm going to be majoring in Piano Performance starting this fall (BM) + a BA in History, so a so a double degree program. I know music majors typically have a heavier course load than most other majors, but I will have even more with the double degree program. </p>

<p>At my school most people take 4 course units (1 unit = 4 credits), but I want to take 5. I'll probably end up taking that much each semester to get done on time. Music majors are allowed up to 5.5 units per semester, so it's apparently doable for 5 if they allow 5.5 I guess. </p>

<p><strong><em>Can someone look at this schedule and see if it looks like it's WAY too much!</em></strong></p>

<p>I haven't signed up for classes yet- we do that during orientation in August, but we're supposed to have an idea of what we want to take.</p>

<p>I have to take my piano lessons (music major lessons), an ensemble, clarinet (minor instrument) lessons, freshman gateway course (writing course), and a few other things that are my choice after that. Plus, music majors have to attend something like 14 of 15 concerts in a semester too, for a course that's required but doesn't count for any credits/units.</p>

<p>MUS 181- 0.5 unit (piano lessons- once a week for an hour, don't know the time yet because that's scheduled later after your other classes. Lesson, in addition to a weekly piano major class thing- W 6:30-8:00pm)
Ensemble 0.25 unit (have to audition for a specific one, either 3-4 hours a week of rehearsal time)
MUS 100- 0.25 (clarinet lessons, 30 minutes once a week)
HIST 160- History of Latin America- 1 unit (MWF 10:00-10:50)
HIST 100- Chinese History intro- 1 unit MW 2:00-3:15 (trying to do 2 easy 100 history courses before I get to hard 300/400 ones later where I just take 1 at a time probably)
ECON 100- Intro to Economics- 1 unit (gen ed requirement, plus will help for history stuff) don't know which section yet, but either way 3 hours & 20 minutes class each week, probably the section that's M 11:00-11:50 & TR 10:50-12:05
Gateway 100 (the freshman writing course)- 1 unit- don't know specifically which class yet, but whatever it is, it's 2.5 hours a week of class. We selected our top 7 choices and they'll place us in one of those, and I checked the class times- any of the 7 would fit within my other classes.
plus a PE class, 0 units but still required, 2.5 hours a week but a very easy class (I've kind heard quite a few are easy and I'll definitely pick an easy one because of everything else I have here...) </p>

<p>A normal freshman music major would maybe take this, minus one of the history classes, so take out 2.5 hours of class a week.</p>

<p>Music major, so probably wondering why no music theory course? I'm taking a placement test to test out of Theory I, so if that works, then this schedule works and I take Theory II next semester. If not, then I'll have to take that and drop something else.</p>

<p>Class time: 60 minutes piano lesson + 90 minute weekly studio class each once a week, 3-4 hours ensemble rehearsal, 30 minute clarinet lesson once a week, 2.5 hours a week for each history class, 3 hours & 20 min for econ class, 2.5 hours a week for gateway class, and 2.5 hours for PE class. Most likely as a freshman I'll end up in the lower band, which is the 3 hr ensemble, not the 4 hrs of weekly rehearsal. I'd love to get into the higher band, but not expecting it. Auditions are first week of classes.</p>

<p>As far as trying to take 2 100-level history classes...I haven't taken anything in either of those areas, so I'd like to learn about something different. I've taken AP US & AP Euro, so I have a good background in college-level history (US 4 and Euro 5 on exams).</p>

<p>Homework: Piano expected to practice something like 25 hours a week, clarinet probably 7-10 hours a week, homework/study for 2 history classes (5 hours class per week for the 2, so maybe 10ish hours homework/study), maybe 7-8 hours hw for econ idk, 5-6 hrs for gateway course, probably not any homework for a PE class, right?</p>

<p>I don't have to work on campus; that's optional if I have time. I'm sure I won't have time though, so I'm not applying for one of the music jobs first semester. They just sent out an informational email yesterday listing music student jobs, but I don't think I will. I'll jsut get a job next summer instead. Really I just have class, homework/studying, practicing, concerts, maybe some clubs/activities a little bit...</p>

<p>None of those courses are lab/science courses with that kind of time stuff. I'm planning on taking my gen ed science lab course later, like in a May Term class (where you only take the 1 class at a time)</p>

<p>I think they let us overload right away if we need to. I read in last year's first year info packet (it's online, and they should be sending out this year's very soon) that first semester freshman "should avoid taking over 4.0 units in the fall." So it says "should avoid," but doesn't say "can't" so I don't think we're prohibited from it, just advised against it except in cases where it's necessary, maybe, idk, just my guess from the info I have so far.</p>

<p>My school doesn't offer summer classes on campus, and while some might transfer in from an online summer school or community college, I'd have to talk to someone and find out how many I could do that with. </p>

<p>If I can't do 5 units, maybe I'd take out 1 out the history classes (1 unit) and exchange it for one of the 0.5 unit required music classes I have to take sometime, bringing the total to 4.5 units.</p>

<p>Sorry, I know this was very long! Thanks!!!</p>

2

<p>You need to stop stressing. I am very familiar with the school. You will be fine. My D graduated from IWU with a double major, very common there, and spent an entire school year abroad. She had to overload her sophomore year to be away for that long but the school is very accommodating. They really really want you to succeed. You can drop a class if you feel that things are too much and you can and should take a May term class at least once. IWU is full of driven overachievers, you will be just fine. I knew a bunch of kids who doubled with music and something else, and they were all fine. Take the time to enjoy the experience, get to know the campus, it has a great library!! Attending the concerts is not a big deal either plus there is another large university, Illinois State, just up the road, they practically touch, that has many performances you can also attend. And there is not much else to do in Bloomington Normal aside from watch the corn and soybeans grow and be harvested… :wink: so you won’t be too distracted from your studies. My D had a great time there, and got a great education.</p>

3

<p>It’s always important to realize that a huge amount of extra stress is added to your life when you’re starting anything new; and starting college is a combo of many new things - moving, meeting new people, different food, etc. It can be “stressful” even if everything about it is terrific! That’s why the school advises you to take it just a little easy at first, so you can get your bearings, have a bit of time to make friends, and have a little fun. I’d say try your plan if not doing it seems to really make future terms more difficult, but also talk with an advisor there, and pay attention to the drop deadline. Promise yourself to check in with how you’re feeling as you go, and talk with friends or counselors if you’re getting overwhelmed. There will be plenty of people to help if you ever run into trouble. But I also agree with the “don’t worry” advice - it sounds like you’ll have a great time!</p>

4

<p>Thank you both for your replies! You’ve been helpful!</p>

<p>@musictwins-

Yeah MT seems like a good thing and I am planning to sign up for a class each year, if I can get into one. (hoping to do 2 gen eds during MTs, 1 travel course, and then leave the other open for a fun class or maybe fit in one more of my history major requirements if I need to- I’ll have to ask advisors how much I can count on being offered in MTs to fit those in)

Ok. Do you know any that did music & something else in a double degree program like I am, or just where they did a general music major & something else that both fit under the BA program?</p>

5

<p>also, @musictwins, do you know for sure if freshmen are allowed to overload first semester at IWU? Do you know if there’s a way on the website to check if a class is full?</p>

<p>

@momophony- thanks. I also posted this schedule earlier in the regular college life forum and some there thought it was a bit much, maybe it is, but I wanted to get some opinions from people in the music major forum too. I think a tough schedule is pretty normal for music majors!</p>

6

<p>If you end up dropping any classes, make sure that you drop general ed classes (like the econ class) and not music or history classes. You can take most general ed classes at any jr. college or community college during the summer and at a relatively inexpensive cost.</p>

<p>Also, check into your schools policy on double dipping. For my sons BM he is required to take one non-music history class plus 3 music history classes. If your music curriculum is similar, it may be possible that one of the two history classes that you will be taking your first semester may count as the non-music history class for your BM, and it may also be possible that some or all of your music history classes may count towards your BA. If it worked at that way, thats an entire semester of school saved. I personally don’t see why the history department wouldn’t accept the music history classes, after all, a history class is a history class, but when I suggested that a few weeks ago to another music/history major they said that the music history classes wouldn’t count towards their history degree - it all depends on your college. To save a semester of school, I think that it is worth checking on.</p>

<p>And yes, I do believe that music majors tend to have a very loaded schedule. My son is taking 18 credit hours and a total of 9 classes his first semester (like you, he has to take the concert attendance class which he gets 0 credit hours). It really would sound like an insane schedule to any non-music major, but he is used to spending hours every day involved with music so I don’t think it will be any shock - it’s not really “work” if you love doing what you do.</p>

7

<p>So, as a girl that just finished her freshman year, I am here to give my opinion.</p>

<p>One, look to see if there is a chart for what you should take each year as a music major. A lot of schools have these and most students follow them. It would be found in an online handbook or something. Since almost everyone follows them, I would fit as many classes in with the schedule as possible to ensure I am with people I know! Of course, I go to a small liberal arts college that only has enough students for two sections of music theory (20 people each), so I am actually pre-registered… making it slightly easier for everything.</p>

<p>A little background. Trumpet performance here (though adding a BA in Econ hopefully). I got to skip half a semester of theory thanks to my test scores (no skipping out on semesters at my school), so I got an extra light load at the very beginning of the year by two hours, but I did not notice a difference when the next was added. Also, as a member of the marching band, 5 hours a week for ensemble was the minimum… and I did chorale for another 4 not including small ensembles. So I understand the concerns. Oh, and I worked backstage at the theater for work study…</p>

<p>From what I can tell, you seem to be on the trimester system or something. This can have the effect of making everything easier. My boyfriend loved it his freshman year, which was when he was a vocal performance kid (the school switched to semester the very next year). He said he experienced much more free time because of how the schedules worked out. Thus, this seems doable based upon that fact.</p>

<p>My question would be how involved the writing class might be and if you have a nice background in economics to make that an easier course. My writing seminar made second semester seem longer since there was a lot more work, but some were actually very light in the amount of work. And having a nice background in your other class will make it so you have to spend less time there and can spend more time focusing on the history.</p>

<p>A suggestion, should you choose you like history more, is either music history or getting a BA in music and history rather than both a BM in piano performance and a BA in history. This will allow for a freer schedule. However, if this effects scholarship of any kind, I can understand not doing it. Scholarships are number one. One way to see how this could go is to make a chart. I have about 7 floating around for my 7 different plans which depend on study abroad opportunities.</p>

<p>In the end, I see this as a doable schedule should you want to focus on it a lot. It will not be the easiest and will take more time than friends may be spending. Yet I feel you cannot do it. Again, disclaimer, I am on the semester system so I may have a had a different experience than you will. Each school is different.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>Oh and my friend that just graduated with a BM in Clarinet Performance says that we get the easiest senior year. It is pretty free. This allows us to practice a lot for grad school auditions if we want to continue in performance or to prep for interviews for grad degrees in theory or music history.</p>

8

<p>Are you aiming to finish the BM/BA double degree in 4 years? Is that why you are taking more than 4 courses? Most double degree programs like this take 5 years, and for a reason.</p>

<p>In fact, at one prominent Ivy League college, music majors (BA, not even performance degree) are allowed to take 5 years to finish, considering the amount of time that practice and performance can require.</p>

<p>Do you have a financial reason for hurrying through like this?</p>

<p>I would slow down and savor life a little more. At least for first semester.</p>

<p>And I agree with the poster who wrote about checking the list or chart or whatever for the sequence of classes needed for both majors. Focus on getting basic music courses done, particularly, since music majors usually have to take prerequisites in a certain order.</p>

<p>Finally, many students who could test out of music theory 1 take it anyway. Every school teaches it a little differently, and it can be good to do the intro course in that particular curriculum. Gives you a solid foundation to move on from, and also keeps stress down in freshman year.</p>

<p>When I was your age, I welcomed stress too, actually, but it takes its toll, it really does.</p>

9

<p>@GMusic- thanks for your response. There might be some sort of schedule plan, I’ll have to check. No, we’re not on the trimester system. It’s 2 semesters plus May Term. I don’t know about the writing class, but my guess is that it’s not too bad because people don’t seem to complain about it that much. No, I’m not considering switching my music major to the BA program, but thanks for saying that, in case I didn’t know about that option. I want the BM for music, as I’m planning on going to grad school after.</p>

<p>@compmom- I am planning 5 years, but it will still take that many courses at my school. Plus I’m planning on going abroad for a semester. I have my scholarship for 5 years.</p>

10

<p>You will find out so much information during orientation! Don’t get yourself so wound up about things now. Yes, I knew kids who doubled in performance and another subject and those that did a dual BA. Like I said before, lots and lots of kids double major there, it is VERY common. You will find out about your classes at registration. Some kids fuss about the Gateway class but it serves a very good purpose. There will be classes that are filled and you will find that out during your registration. As a freshman you are getting last pick, everyone else registered in April. I am not sure about overloading as a freshman. My advice is to go, become familiar with all the aspects of going to college and then take some time and talk about your future schedule. You will get good advice from the professionals there, don’t try to figure it all out now when you lack so much information. You may get there and find things very different from what you are expecting. Relax!!</p>