How do you know if you're good enough to be a music ed major?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I've kind of had my heart set on being a music teacher since 7th grade (I'm a junior now), but I'm really starting to doubt myself. I will "rant" to you what I think...</p>

<p>I got into a select choir in 7th grade and that's what made me feel good about myself musically (until we all realized it wasn't very select...). Music is really the only thing I had a passion for, but I feel like I may have started too late. I started private lessons my 8th grade year and still have them. I don't have a very loud voice, but my teacher said I have one of the best tones she's ever heard (directly quoted).</p>

<p>I started playing piano freshman year in a class and I started privately this year. I also got a bizarre request to learn tuba and join the marching band, so I learned tuba pretty well in 4 months, and I still play symphonically. I also took a semester of guitar and I'm teaching myself alto sax, and it's not too bad.</p>

<p>Anyway, now that my rant that probably didn't make much sense is over, I was just wondering how you know if you're good enough. I also am unsure if I would go for voice or instrumental because I've been studying voice for longer, but I definitely like instruments better. Music is the only thing I could see myself doing, but I don't know if I'm good enough.</p>

2

<p>At the school I go to, ed majors aren’t expected to be at the same skill level as performance majors. I believe if you have a passion for it and it’s what you know you’ll be happy doing, it can’t hurt to try. Better to try than to look back twenty years down the road and regret not trying at all.</p>

3

<p>minimusicalgirl,
My son started to play the double Bass in the spring of his 8th grade year. Before that he had done a bit of piano and a bit of electric bass, but he had never studied music seriously. He loved it and after attending music camp the summer after 9nth grade talked about wanting to go to conservatory. But like you he was not sure he had what it takes to get accepted into a conservatory and make it as a performance major. He got some positive feedback from teachers but he attended a public high school with many overachievers in both music and academics and as a result he never quite felt smart or talented enough. But he had drive and we told him that if he loved it there was no harm in working hard and seeing what happened. He practiced and practiced and worked hard. He focused his energy on what he needed to do. I remember him telling neighborhood friends that he could not play because he was practicing. By the fall of his senior year he was ready to put together a prescreen tape that he felt reasonably proud of. Then that winter much to his surprise he passed all his prescreens. That winter for the first time in his life he won an actual award at a music festival for his playing. And that spring he got acceptances at all the conservatories he applied to (all of which are top conservatories). Now he is a freshman and you would think that now he would believe that he is good enough…but he does not. Sometimes I worry about that, but clearly his push to be a better musician is also part of what drives him to work hard and to practice. It sounds like you love music as much as our son does and are willing to do the hard work you need to do to make it. Remember there is some level of talent needed but what makes the difference between those who go on to succeed in this field and those who do not is often who has the drive and persistence and is willing to do the hard work.</p>

4

<p>My son’s college has two different tracts that a music ed student can take. They can either be a straight music ed student, or they can be a music ed student who is treated like a performance student, with all the same performance requirements (ensembles, amount of time spent with the top teacher of their primary instrument, juries, recitals, etc). the performance tract music ed students have to be invited into the program by demonstrating a higher level of performance skills than music ed students are normally required to have. the music performance track music ed majors, if they complete the performance program (more than half drop the performance track), receive a performance certificate, which is not recorded on their transcript but does say that the school of music believes that they perform at a professional level, and it is indicated on their diploma and transcript that they received a distinction in performance.</p>

<p>So the answer is basically that one can be a music ed major, with or without top level performance skills, but since almost all music ed programs do require an audition on your primary instrument, you still have to be pretty decent on at least one instrument (voice counts as an instrument by the way). </p>

<p>Also, at some colleges, if someone has fantastic performance skills, they may overlook some not-so-fantastic academic stats, but without fantastic performance skills, they are more likely to take a serious look at your high school grades and test scores - so don’t slack on academics!</p>

<p>it all depends on the school, you have to try to match up your abilities to the best schools to fit your ability.</p>

<p>You sound like you might make a wonderful music ed student, with your interest in multiple instruments. In my son’s music ed program, he has to take classes in multiple brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instruments, plus a semester of voice and two semesters of piano, so having interest and prior study of multiple instruments is actually of more value to a music ed student than a performance student. At some colleges they actually discourage performance students from studying more than one instrument as doing so may take away from practice time on their main instrument.</p>

<p>Good luck, and keep practicing and studying!</p>

5

<p>imagep’s post actually reminded me of another question I wanted to ask. Would it be better to be mediocre at multiple instruments than fantastic at only one? I kind of started shoving instruments down my throat after I was told that I shouldn’t be singing anymore, (my orthodontist messed up my jaw while having rubber bands on my braces) but then I was told I would “grow out of it,” but it hasn’t happened yet, so I started learning instruments on the side instead.</p>

6

<p>Fantastic at just one. Normally you would only audition with just one instrument.</p>

<p>My son auditioned on two instruments at a couple of different colleges, in both case he was accepted for trumpet, but not piano. One of the colleges never even mentioned his piano audition in the acceptance letter, the other specifically stated that his scholarship and acceptance was only for trumpet and further explained that he would be permitted to take piano lessons with the piano professor but that his acceptance into the music program was totally based upon his trumpet audition. He probably would have been better off putting all of his practice time into his trumpet audition material.</p>

<p>But you, you should mention on your application and any supporting material that you are familiar with multiple instruments (listing those instruments - particularly for a music ed student). It probably will not make any difference, unless that last spot comes down to just you and one or two other people - at that point, you need any type of competitive edge you can get.</p>

<p>At this point, you should really concentrate on just one instrument, probably a wind instrument as piano is rediculously competitive. You need to find a private wind instrument instructor asap as you may have some catching up to do.</p>

7

<p>I did take private tuba lessons over the summer, but my dad won’t let me take any more lessons at the moment. Even if I could take lessons, I wouldn’t have a tuba to learn on because the school has them and they’re all being used. I’ve had my saxophone for about a month now, and I’m almost done with book one of the series I’m using. I’m just worried because I’m not a fabulous singer or piano player, but I pick up instruments pretty quickly, which is why I can see myself teaching music.</p>

8

<p>Does your school do private lessons during school hours? At our HS, private teachers come to the school during band/choir/orchestra period and give lessons in the practice rooms. Typically, these are not lessons for the top students but it is a great option for folks who play large instruments like tuba so you don’t have to lug it around town. Check with your band teacher. At this point, you will be at a disadvantage for college admissions without private lessons on something (tuba, voice, sax - just pick one and really work at it).</p>

9

<p>megpmom: Our school doesn’t do that, as budget cuts ruin everything haha. I do currently take private voice and piano lessons, and I practice tuba 3 days a week during my study hall.</p>

10

<p>Do you have any music/music ed schools nearby? If so see if you can take a lesson with the teachers on your instruments/voice and get their opinion as to whether you are up to speed. Alternatively, if you are not a high school senior sign up to attend a summer camp run by a music ed school. Many music ed schools have summer programs for high school students. As to whether you are good enough, there are so many music ed programs available out there from top conservatories like Eastman, to state schools to smaller colleges you will probably find one to admit you if you perform relatively well. Just keep in mind that the “better” ones will have competitive admissions and therefore should give you an advantage when it’s time to look for a job. Many music ed schools have extensive alumni networks through which you can network to find a job. If you are passionate about music and teaching, you can probably find a college to help you reach your goals.</p>

11

<p>If you just want to teach, you could consider a BA in music, taking a lot of your electives in the classes that BM music ed students take, then get a MAT (masters of art in teaching) with a concentration in teaching music.</p>

<p>MAT programs usually only take 3 semesters of grad school (sometimes two semesters plus a summer school) and in most places will result in a higher starting salary as a new teacher than someone with only a bachelors.</p>

<p>The reason that I am suggesting this route is that I’m thinking that you will not be prepared to pass an audition on any particular instrument, although you may have the potential to be a great grade school level music teacher. Most BA music programs don’t require an audition.</p>

<p>Just as a general guidline, most BM students who pass auditions play at a minimum of the region band level, and performance students need to be near the top of allstate level (like first few chairs).</p>

<p>One of my son’s friends from high school wants to teach music, but he didn’t want to “spend his entire college career in a practice room”. He is majoring in education with a minor in music, and intends to teach music on the elementary school level. He has performed own two different instruments in at least one college ensemble every semester and has taken much of the same music core requirements that BA music majors do. I haven’t talked to him in a good while, but I do see his dad every once in a while. He’s a senior this year, so maybe this time next year I will have a better idea of how that worked out with him.</p>

<p>There are many routes to the same end, just seek out whichever route fits you best.</p>

12

<p>imagep: The main college I’m looking at that’s close to home (Slippery Rock University) does require and audition for a BA in music, or else I would take that route in a heartbeat.</p>

13

<p>minimusicalgirl,</p>

<p>I never thought that I was “good enough” to major in music, so I chose another major and auditioned for the orchestra my freshman year at Mansfield University of PA. After joining the orchestra, I became more involved in the school and was encouraged by several faculty members to switch my major to music. I would definitely recommended at least auditioning…you obviously have a passion to share your music. I would also recommend checking out Mansfield. The faculty is so encouraging and the tuba professor is great too!</p>

<p>Here’s some information on Mansfield:</p>

<p>Mansfield was the first Pennsylvania state institution to grant a certificate to teach music, and has a long, rich tradition of music excellence. At Mansfield you can pursue:</p>

<p>Undergraduate Degrees and Concentrations</p>

<p>B.M. Music Education
B.M. Music Performance
B.M. with Elective Studies in Business
B.M. with Emphasis in Music Tech.
B.A. Music
Graduate Degrees and Concentrations</p>

<p>MA Music with Concentrations in:
Choral Conducting
Collaborative Piano
Instrumental Conducting
Music Education
Minor</p>

<p>Music Technology
The Music Department has 20 faculty members and a student body of about 230 majors. The department is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and approved through the NAMM Affiliated Music Business Institutions.</p>

<p>for audition information check out: music.mansfield.edu</p>

<p>Good luck!!</p>

<p>Brittany</p>

14

<p>Go for it! You are going to school to learn - the professors you audition for don’t expect you to be perfect. They just want to see potential.</p>

15

<p>I believe you don’t have to be “good enough” to major in music, you just have to be passionate and love what you are doing. If you love it, it doesn’t matter what others think of your playing ad long as you try your hardest to fulfill your full potential. There are always going to be others who are much better than you, but it is important not to compare yourself. You play you and as long as you do that you’ll be great! I say this as a musician who isn’t all that great but I love it and I have potential that I try to fulfill. You are your hardest critic, sometimes you should take it a little easier on yourself too (:</p>

16

<p>I suggest you stick with tuba. There will be much less competition than sax or voice, and it sounds like you have more experience than the sax. You really are starting quite late to get really good on sax by senior year. It’s not the notes that are difficult, it’s the tone quality and vibrato. So my two cents is to really focus on playing the tuba well. I actually know someone who never played a band instrument until his senior year of HS, and then he picked up the tuba. He is now a university band director!</p>