<p>I am waiting a year to declare a major, and want to be either a voice performance major or a vocal music education major (can't decide on one, which is one of the reasons, among others, that I have decided to wait a year to audition/declare a music major)
Is this a bad idea? I mean, I COULD audition this year, but I think it would be a great idea to wait. What would I do when I go to school? Audition at whatever school I'm at as a transfer student? Would I be too far behind to catch up?
I would just like to get others opinions who have gone through this before.
Thanks so much!</p>
<p>What you are proposing is often called a gap year. A prior discussion thread is here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/345925-musical-gap-year.html?highlight=year%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/345925-musical-gap-year.html?highlight=year</a></p>
<p>There are pros and cons. One of the primary reasons musical students take a gap year is to pursue high level study with a specific instructor privately to really prep, fine tune, or build additional skills to audition competitively at any number of top programs.</p>
<p>Another valid reason could well be financial, if a student needs to work full time to help acquire funds for school. </p>
<p>Some drawbacks include loss of health insurance, as many parents' plans will cover children after high school or a certain age only if they are continually enrolled as a full time student in a degree, technical, or professional development program. You may wish to think this one through with your parents, especially if you've had recurring or serious health problems. </p>
<p>For some students, even a full year of intense private high level instruction is not enough to make them competitive in an audition based program. They may have the drive and ambition, but lack the talent or potential to have enough of what it takes to be competitive enough to make it through a performance based degree program or a successful career thereafter. </p>
<p>If you are undecided between music ed and vocal performance, there are a number of very good programs that offer double major offerings. Many of these are five year programs, some less at least on paper. Admission is usually audition based, and the standard is geared to performance, than the often lower audition standard used for music ed only applicants. However, most music ed programs also weigh academics so a dual major candidate will be accepted using this higher academic threshold than would be used for a straight performance candidate.</p>
<p>You can consider a strong program that offers both music ed and performance, and apply as either one or the other. Once in, it is fairly easy to add or switch. It's easier to drop from performance to mus ed, and sometimes harder to move from ed to performance, but this can be done, but varies as to individual institution as to just how difficult it might be.</p>
<p>Another option is a BM undergrad degree in one, and a masters in the second. Many would be performers start off on a performance path, and switch to ed in grad school. Some music ed degree holders have the chops and will pursue MM's in performance.</p>
<p>I speak from the standpoint of the parent of an instrumentalist, not a vocalist. There are physical differences that involve vocal development that allow vocal techniques to develop at a later age than instrumental study, where younger can be better in terms of building skill and technique. Look for posts by lorelei45, who is well versed in vocal studies, and often stresses an undergrad vocal program that recognizes these special requirements.</p>
<p>As background, my son was a perf/music ed major who dropped the ed at the very end to pursue performance. This was his desire, and his decision, not "ours" as parents. We recognize his Muse, and he has the talent to succeed. He is on the way, and is performing professionally, but he has a long ways to go before he's made it.</p>
<p>My advice is general, meant to be food for thought. I hope others here with experiences with musical gap years chime in.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I don’t have experience with your questions, but some thoughts.
Are you planning to apply to colleges as an undecided major or take a year off? Most BM or music education degrees are intensive 4 year programs. You should only go into music ed if really like to teach children. If that is not what you enjoy, consider an alternative. You should only go into performance if you cannot see yourself doing anything else. It is a difficult career to do otherwise. Fortunately for voice it is not mandatory to start as early as in instruments. Many fine performers have other undergraduate majors and private voice lessons, pursuing performance as a graduate student. . </p>
<p>If you apply and are accepted as an undecided major, and not in the music or music ed department, you will have to apply/audition to get into the department and you will have lost a year. Some schools are easier to do this and music ed might be easier than performance in this case. You would need to see if you would have taken enough of the general requirements to catch up or it may take an extra semester or 2 to get all the required classes in. Schools can vary. You can also check their polices for taking classes in the department when you are not a major. Can you afford the extra time? You need to talk to the schools you are interested in to see what their polices are. </p>
<p>You also have no guarantee you will get into any audition based program. What would you do if you could not get into that school's music/music ed program after you spent a year there? Would you be happy pursuing another major or would you take another year to get ready to transfer to a different school?</p>
<p>Sorry that I wasn't specific enough.
I want to go into school undeclared.
That said, what I plan on doing, is auditioning for the school, and maybe a couple of others as a transfer student after my first year. I'm planning on going to a pretty small school for now.</p>
<p>I think that the most important thing for you is to make sure that you can study voice privately (without being a declared music major) as a freshman at the school you attend if you want to have a better chance at a successful audition. At some schools this is possible, others not. A year without lessons will put you way behind your peers- especially as a female- it is so competitive. Also, look carefully at the general education requirements (english, language, history, psychology, math/science etc.) for music majors and see how many of those you can complete during your undeclared year, otherwise, it will be next to impossible to complete your degree in the usual 4 years.</p>
<p>Music curricula are very progressive through the semesters....to not start as a music student with the appropriate courses in music theory and applied music will put you behind, and it will likely take you longer than four years to graduate....be prepared.</p>
<p>Hi Singinglover,</p>
<p>I think most of us who have seen students enter school as music majors are confused as to why you want to enter as undeclared and then later declare music or music ed and possibly go elsewhere. What advantages - other than a year to further consider ed versus performance - will waiting give you? Why are you initially choosing a school from which you will have to transfer? (Transferring can present its own set of problems.)</p>
<p>I have known students who have delayed a year when they knew that they were behind peers (technically, repertoire, etc.). They went to community college for a couple courses and continued serious, intense study in preparation for auditions. It's not clear to me that you have any similar sort of plan that will help you complete a music degree in the future. Sorry if I missed this.</p>
<p>The other posters have good thoughts. I think you will definitely not be finishing in 4 years under your scenario. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Singinglover,</p>
<p>I wanted to edit, but it was too late. My questions for you in the first paragraph are for your consideration. I didn't intend to suggest that you need to answer the questions publicly. You certainly don't need to provide personal information, preferances or considerations for people like me to comment on!</p>
<p>I would agree at most BM programs you will end up needing an extra year or semester if you wait to audition for the major. You may want to see if any of the schools you are applying to would allow you to start as an "undeclared" music major with voice as your instrument... For example -- at James Madison University -- where I teach in theatre -- students enter the music department (after an audition) and take the music core courses and voice lessons (if voice is their major instrument) in their freshman year. At the end of the year jury they indicate which program of study they would like to enter... Music Ed., Music Theatre, Music Industry, or Vocal Performance. I am sure that there are other schools that work that way... or schools that would allow you to switch courses of study after the freshman year.</p>