Help a music-pulled science student?

Parent Cafe
21

<p>In addition to a double major in music + cognitive science or math, a major in music cognition might interest you. There are programs in this area at Northwestern, Rochester, and McMaster:
[Music</a> Theory and Cognition: Bienen School of Music - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.music.northwestern.edu/academics/areas-of-study/music-theory-and-cognition/]Music”>http://www.music.northwestern.edu/academics/areas-of-study/music-theory-and-cognition/)
[Music</a> Cognition : University of Rochester : Eastman School of Music](<a href=“http://www.theory.esm.rochester.edu/music-cognition/#undergrad_study]Music”>http://www.theory.esm.rochester.edu/music-cognition/#undergrad_study)
[Music</a> Cognition Specialization](<a href=“http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/pnb/undergraduate/music-cognition-specialization.html]Music”>http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/pnb/undergraduate/music-cognition-specialization.html)</p>

<p>And, some other links of possible interest:
[SMPC</a> Resources](<a href=“http://www.musicperception.org/smpc-resources.html]SMPC”>SMPC Resources)
[Music</a> Cognition U. - A Resource Center](<a href=“musiccognition.info”>musiccognition.info)</p>

<p>Tufts has a program in music engineering:
[Music</a> Engineering at Tufts](<a href=“http://www.tuftl.tufts.edu/musicengineering/]Music”>Music Engineering at Tufts)</p>

22

<p>I wonderful young lady at my school is currently getting her MFA after graduating from Harvard (summa cum laude in neurobiology, while also taking art classes) … and she is now applying to med schools. It’s possible to take both science & math, and to let life play itself out. There’s no hurry!</p>

23

<p>I was going to say that the math/music combo is popular at St Olaf (usually very bright, driven students), but BensenBurner beat me to it. Oh, St Olaf also has neuroscience. Lawrence might also work (conservatory and strong science).
In any case, you could officially major in math or neuroscience, and prepare a music major on the side :p. If your parents homeschooled you and wouldn’t pay for a music major, that may be a solution. Music engineering or music/cognition are other possibilities.
Go online and type “request information” or “join the mailing list” for all the colleges indicated so far. Good luck with your search!</p>

24

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

25

<p>I just want to add that in my choir career I’ve had more than one church organist who majored in something other than organ (one was a Chem E). Indiana has a great organ program.</p>

26

<p>“I suppose my concern is that I’ll never be good enough to have a meaningful music career if I focus on academics during college.”</p>

<p>Depends what you mean by meaningful. (Music teachers will often tell you they have a GREAT career, and the only one they would choose again.) But you might be right.</p>

27

<p>My son has also discovered his passion for the pipe organ!</p>

<p>Double majoring is a great solution, and if that is too much you can consider an organ minor. Regardless, if you pick a school that has organ to practice on and offers lessons you can pursue your passion independent of a major. Small churches are often desperate for organists and subs are always in demand as well. Even if you didn’t prepare for a career with a large church as the organist/choir director you always have the option of a part time job or as an occasional organist. </p>

<p>Also something to consider–passions don’t always have to be careers. Music can just be enjoyed for music’s sake.</p>

<p>Do your essays have to be major specific? What is the prompt? Are you even required to select a major at the colleges you are applying to?</p>

28

<p>Also, you say that your are a “sheltered, homeschooled girl”, and that you have sang in your church choir forever. Are you from a deeply religious family? Since you mention that playing organ helps you stave off depression, I assume there is a spiritual connection when you play? My son once mentioned the sense of inner peace he has when he plays organ, and that when he is in the church organ loft playing hymns he feels he is “making God happy”…if you have similar feelings perhaps you could have a heart to heart talk with you parents and they may see things differently. I don’t know your religion, but perhaps there is an affiliated college with an organ major?</p>

29

<p>I have a graduate degree in church music and I would not recommend majoring in organ performance. Several high level music schools including Northwestern have taken it off their list of available majors. In part, this is due to the decline in organist and other traditional music positions in churches. Even the largest and most traditional churches will be looking to downsize their music staff in the future. It will be very difficult to find a full-time church music position. You are much better off to major in something else and find a great organ teacher to study with on the side.</p>

30

<p>Check out Oberlin…they are great for STEM/Music oriented students.</p>

31

<p>I really hope you will go to the music forum here on CC. Just go back to discussion home and then click on music major under the majors section.</p>

<p>There are all kinds of ways to include music in your studies. Read this:
[Double</a> Degrees | Peabody Conservatory](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html]Double”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html)</p>

<p>Music is a rigorous major, similar in difficulty to premed. In fact, music majors have the highest acceptance rate to medical school, as a group. Theory, musicology, music analysis, history, ethnomusicology, music technology and composition are all part of the curriculum, even at conservatories.</p>

<p>There are many many schools where you can do both science and music, either as a double major, a major and a minor, or a double degree (see the link above on this). Look at Oberlin, Bard, Lawrence, Barnard, Vassar, Clark U., many many others of varying degrees of selectivity.</p>

<p>At the grad level, there are programs that link music and neuroscience- a hot area of research, and there are also music therapy programs that apply this science.</p>

<p>At the undergrad level, look at schools like Bennington that would require you to link music and science of those were your interests. Also a school that has a lot of homeschoolers (but quite liberal- look at Berea or Gordon College if you are home for religious reasons).</p>

<p>Just go to college with an exploring attitude. I am sorry that your parents don’t understand the music major. The kids I know with that major had great job prospects after graduation, and not necessarily in performance or even in music itself.</p>

32

<p>Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt encourages double majors.</p>

33

<p>Keep in mind that there is likely to be fewer pipe organs as time goes on. My dad’s small traditional church is in deep debt due to their organ mortgage, and that may cause them to go under. Also many churches are doing more piano and contemporary music.</p>

34

<p>You do not need to think of college as vocational preparation.You can study what you love. Music is sometimes a performance major (BM) but as I hinted at before, it can also be a rigorous academic major (BA) that is respected by employers and grad/professional schools. </p>

<p>If you want to write about science, you can also write about music on your application. Colleges like applicants with “passions” and all the better if you indicate interests in both science and music, or anything else for that matter.</p>

<p>Since music helps your depression, I would think you might be interested in music therapy or expressive therapies as a career, if you do want to think about career. Check out Lesley College in Cambridge MA for expressive arts therapy as a major (with a focus on music if you like). Longy School of Music is right across the street and you could study organ with someone there.</p>

<p>People on the music forum will have more ideas.</p>