<p>so my question is, for anyone out there who loves music performance, composition, education... etc but is not pursuing it as major in college, what is ur reason for not choosing it as a career? This is out of pure interest, i just wanted to see what people thought</p>
<p>ive played the flute since middle school, and i was determined to be a flute performance major up until the end of my sophomore. i decided not to pursue it as a major (im a senior now) because i became more aware of its limited opportunities, (this is esp. true for flutes, seeing as only 2 or 3 ppl are needed for any professional orchestra), and ive become equally interested in academics, and didnt want to bind myself to one particular profession</p>
<p>My son exactly. He loves music, has always wanted to be a musician and is genuinely talented. But the reality of the situation is that most would-be-performers end up teaching (or w/e) and he didn't want to teach high school music. He still studies performance and theory privately, and plays in an ensemble. He is trying to expand his repetoire and is considering auditions in a few local orchestras.</p>
<p>OTOH, he is honestly one of the smartest people I know. He has many academic interests where he has a much better chance of his ablility paying off. So he is double majoring in college with 4.0 gpa.</p>
<p>I hope he gets a chance with music some day. If an opportunity arose, I know he would take it. But he doesn't want to spend his life wishing and hoping, and if that chance never comes I know he will be happy and successful in another field. I guess as long as he can keep all the balls in the air, more power to him!</p>
<p>Really, really difficult choice for young musicians. Good luck.</p>
<p>I know talented musicians who have a business degree and work in the computer industry and sing in groups and organize music schools for youth. You don't ever have to let your music go. There are schools where you can get a BM and something else. Depends on how important it is.</p>
<p>Flutes are without question the most competitive and most difficult to get placement and jobs.</p>
<p>Many people love their instrument but have other loves and choose one of them. Or simply understand its time to keep music as a hobby but move on and major in something that will lead to employment.</p>
<p>Funny thing is some of the best players pass on a performance degree.</p>
<p>Now that you have decided to spurn Euterpe in quest of a more sensible career, you should choose you path wisely. Avoid other interests where career possibilities are largely limited to teaching: anthropology, history, literature, philosophy, etc.</p>
<p>DD loves her instruments (oboe and English horn) and continuing to play in college as a non-major was a MUST when she was choosing colleges to apply to. She is a talented musician, but the rigors of practicing an instrument for a performance major are not her cup of tea. She says she can't imagine not playing in an ensemble, and hopes to do that for many years to come. To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me at all if she ends up choosing a related field (audio engineering, arts management, or something of that sort).</p>