I need to do both, but where?

<p>Okay, I couldn't decide between doing music education or performance, so I decided to do them both. The only problems is, I don't know if I can do both and if I can where should I do it. Some places I have thought about may not have one of the programs or one I have tossed up may not be as good as other schools in both or one of the programs. What should I do and where should I go?</p>

<p>Oberlin offers the following options:</p>

<p>BM in Music Ed and Performance - 4 year program with some summer classes needed for licensure</p>

<p>BM in Performance + Master of Music in Teaching - 5 year integrated program</p>

<p>BM in Performance with a minor in Music Ed - standard 4 year curriculum</p>

<p>See <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/musiced/degreeprog.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.oberlin.edu/musiced/degreeprog.html&lt;/a> for more details.</p>

<p>Indiana University has both programs, although it might take 5 years (or some summer classes) to complete both majors. And they are strong in both performance and music ed.</p>

<p>Lawrence University has both programs. Their music ed. is especially strong and I believe it is necessary to go at least a term into a fifth year to complete one's student teaching. Their placement is 100% for music educators.</p>

<p>My D is planning an instrumental music ed (violin) and vocal performance double music major at Lawrence. It will be very challenging to complete in 5 years (with student teaching) and will require some summer study (summer classes are not an option at Lawrence). She will probably decide to do languages in a couple of the summers and transfer them to Lawrence. If you plan to do music ed in the same instrument (e.g., choral emphasis and vocal performance), you might not need to summer study as there is more overlap in requirements but you should plan on 5 years. Good luck.</p>

<p>There are many, many choices. Practically every conservatory or school with a music major also offers an option for music education.</p>

<p>You make it sound like this is a tentative, casual decision. You should really spend some time deciding if you want to go this route. Do you really want to be certified and teach secondary school music? Do you really want a career in music performance, but are looking for a backup plan? If that is the case, music education may not be a good choice. Make sure you really want music education become you invest the considerable time needed.</p>

<p>Teachers are being held accountable. Required coursework and certification requirements are getting more complex and bureaucratic. You will also need to student teach and you can plan on needing to complete a master degree at a later date. A double major is likely to require more than 4 years. You will need to be very focused on these degrees. You will have very limited opportunity to explore other fields, take electives or participate in extra musical groups. Music ed students are often viewed as second class students. Although this is not always the case, music admissions and expectations are often less than for the fully committed music performance students. </p>

<p>If you are committed to music ed, consider going to school in the State where you plan to teach. This can be a big advantage when it comes to meeting certification requirements and finding jobs. </p>

<p>Again, I would suggest that you consider your personality, preferences, and goals carefully before making a decision.</p>

<p>Many of the major performance conservatories DO NOT offer music education, not one of their missions at all.</p>

<p>Music ed or double degree programs are available at UR/Eastman, JHU/Peabody, CIM/CWRU, Oberlin. I have not done the research, but I do no believe Juilliard, NEC, or MSM offer good choices. If you look at less selective conservatories and State U's with strong music departments, almost all of these schools have very strong music ed opportunities.</p>

<p>edad,</p>

<pre><code> I have always wanted teach. The problem was deciding what to teach. Now I know that I need to teach music. I am just recently realizing that performing may be in the mix as well. teaching is not a back up plan. It's something I really want to do. It's just that I don't know if I should choose one over the other. I don't think I have to. I'm not trying to make this sound casual, I have thought about it quite a bit. How much time it takes is not my biggest concern because I have already planned to graduate early; this will just set graduation day back. Basically, I want to do both and whatever it takes i'll do it. it almost sounds like you're trying to discourage me from trying to do this. Are you?
</code></pre>

<p>Absolutely not. There are quite a few performance majors who want a backup plan to pay the bills. I thought maybe you were one of them. I think teaching needs to be viewed as a respected and dedicated career and I am glad you feel the same. Teaching can be a job with its share of frustrations, but there are many rewards and the ability to be constantly involved with something you love. Best of luck.</p>

<p>Temple University (E. Boyar School of Music) offers both in a 5 year program (performance and music ed). I also think, but you'd have to check this out, that if you receive a music scholarship it is good for all 5 years.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice edad. i understand what you are saying. I can see the frustrations my teachers have to put up with and some of them I don't know if I could handle in the "right" way.</p>

<p>Ithaca College in New York State offers a double degree in both. A few of my daughters teachers have taken the double major at Ithaca.</p>

<p>nick,
My son doubled in Music Composition and Music Ed. at Peabody, which needed an extra semester to allow for student teaching. Of course, he might have been able to squeeze everything into 4 years if he didn't have multiple minors and then decide to also go for a Masters at the same time. In any case, there are plenty of schools that allow a double in performance/comp. and education, and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding the right one for you.</p>