<p>I really want to do Music Education, mainly for high school and college kids. Write marching shows on the side, and conduct clinics and honor bands. </p>
<p>BUT. Towards the end of my senior year I kind of got pushed to International Business because it was May, couldnt get into the army and had to rush to a college, and people kept telling me "I couldnt get a job in music". Business does seem like a more "stable" job, but when my business teacher talks about stuff I am all kinds of lost. Like...percents...increases...stocks..lost. At least with music education I halfway know whats going on and Ill enjoy it more. And people tell me do what you like, then people tell me do what will get you money. And I think both CAN be stable jobs, but Music Education is supposedly "dying" and no one funds it. But with business if you blow a big project or something you can get fired from there too. </p>
<p>Im tempted to stay with business do that for a couple of years, then if I still want to do music do it, but I dont want to be all old and decreped trying to go to school again. I can just see myself being happier with Music Education. I want to take the plunge and just do it but I dont want to waste all that time and money and ending up going back to business and spending more time and money. </p>
<p>Did band for 6 years. Orchestra for half a year. Clarinet 7th and 8th grade. Played clarinet for freshman and sophomore year marching band. Played tenor sax junior and senior year for marching band. Bass clarinet concert band all 4 years. 3 district honor bands and went to all state twice. In short. yes :3</p>
<p>Music education is still a good path, despite occasional funding for the arts in public schools.</p>
<p>Majoring in music is hard. Have you taken any theory or music history classes? Why don’t you try one or two this spring and see how you like it.</p>
<p>It sounds like business may not be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>There are other options besides music and business. In fact, there are options besides college, period.</p>
<p>Is there someone you trust who you can talk to, like an advisor at school?</p>
<p>Music isnt even a major thats offered at my current school. Id have to transfer, that why it’s a hard decision. I dont want to live miles away for a useless major. I have taken a music theory class in high school in hopes of doing music in college. I just had too many people telling me I wouldnt make money thats why I switched. Our advisors dont really talk, they just give you a sheet thats highlighted telling you what you should take, then they send you away. </p>
<p>Instead of the academic advisor, try the career counseling center. All campuses have one and they often offer career aptitude testing and counseling. </p>
<p>It sounds like business is not a good path for you. </p>
<p>If you are a freshman then you are in good company, many freshmen change majors after trying out new classes. Is there anything that truly interests you or that you feel you are really good at?</p>
<p>Music can be a tough major. It really can. And it is very competitive. So I wonder if you can participate in musical organizations at your school to keep it in your life, without worrying about how to make a living from it.</p>
<p>If you want a focus on jobs, I think that community college programs can be the best. There are associates degrees and certificates geared to specific professions that can give some financial stability.</p>
<p>Are you a Freshman? If I were you I’d call a few Music Ed schools and talk to counselors or maybe the head of the department. I’d talk to my old band director. Maybe they can pull out of you if you’re really into Music Ed, have the talent and personality, or are just becoming anti business. Is it parents or friends pushing the money angle? I wouldn’t pay for a Spring semester if I were going to apply to a different school with a major I needed to practice an audition for. I’d go home, take private lessons, maybe volunteer with your marching band (if you can, we can here) and take some classes that may transfer (find out from the music school) at a local CC. You’d probably have to take a full year off up to a year and a half if the school doesn’t offer Spring admissions. Can you live with that? If so it may be a good move. Maybe take a leave of absence for Spring from business school just in case once you leave school you realize it was a mistake. Band directors I know work summer jobs as well and make close to six figures if they do all of the “extras”. While there may not be many jobs now, I see many directors reaching retirement age soon. I’m in rural upstate NY. I just can’t see putting all of the money, work and effort into a major you are unhappy with, but don’t confuse it being hard right now with being unhappy. When I was in HS a girl I knew came in and wanted to talk to the director about applying to music school. He told her she was capable when she graduated, but had lost a lot of ability by not continually playing in the last four years. He made a plan to help her but she wasn’t ready to apply to music school right away like she thought. So waiting may not be the answer either.</p>