<p>How late is too late to decide to major in music? I'm a trombone player starting my senior year next week, and I've played in multiple school and community ensembles for the past eight years. Music has been the biggest part of my life for as long as I can remember, but until recently I never considered majoring in it. I don't play piano, I never took theory classes and, being a low brass player, it takes a very substantial amount of effort for me to read treble clef. Despite my lack of technical expertise, I'm starting to feel like music might be something I want to go into.</p>
<p>Is it even remotely feasible to think about applying as a music major at this point (definitely not performance, maybe education)? A handful of my friends went to college for music, and they seemed to be a lot more thoroughly prepared (granted, half of them ended up switching majors halfway through their freshman year, so they might not be the best examples to go off of). </p>
<p>If I apply undecided, how hard would it be to declare a music major later in college? Or to double major?</p>
<p>Sorry, this is probably kind of a vague post, but input is appreciated!</p>
<p>You can apply to a college or university BA degree program (w/out any audition) and enter as an undecided or, for that matter, as a music major. Try some of the introductory theory classes and see how you like the study of music, which will include theory, music history, some composition, ethnomusicology and technology. Some schools have performance as part of the program, or part of the theory classes. You can also take classes in other subjects that interest you and see where that leads. In any case, you will be able to do lessons and participate in exxtracurricular orchestra and ensembles wherever you go.</p>
<p>Piano is helpful for theory. But you don’t have to have great skills. I would recommend taking piano this year just to get some rudimentary knowledge. Find a teacher who also teaches with theory in mind. You could also take a music theory class online or at a conservatory prep or, as I said, with a piano teacher. See how you like it.</p>
<p>If you want to study performance, for a BM (or in some cases a BA) that is another thing altogether. So come back and let us know. If your goal is to play trombone professionally or teach it, then you would want to look at performance programs. Applications are due early, often Dec.1, for those programs, and there are auditions. Conservatories may be freestanding or a music school that is part of a university or college, on the same campus or nearby.</p>
<p>A BM is 2/3-3/4 music and a BA is usually 1/3-1/3 music, though some are 1/2. Here is an essay to read on the different options for music study: <a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html</a></p>
<p>For music education a state university can be a great option for you. Generally they also have both a BA and BM on campus. Other schools like Oberlin, Bard, or Lawrence might interest you. When a school has both BA and BM, you can often switch from BM to BA, or from BA to BM if yuo qualify by audition. Some do double degrees, over 5 years, as well.</p>