<p>Think of it in terms of authors. Just about all of them can use a word processor to type in their texts, but fewer of them are familiar enough with the high-end desktop publishing packages that are used for final layout of books and magazines. It takes hours or days to learn to use a program like Finale or Sibelius well enough to get mediocre output. It takes weeks or months to learn enough to get output that will consistently meet a publisher's standards. It could take several months to a year of constant use before you get really proficient and fluent enough to use the more obscure features without running back to the manual every 15 minutes. Some composers would rather spend that time writing music. And, as veteranmom points out, a lot of older composers will have nothing to do with computers.</p>
<p>My D's boyfriend gets several thousand dollars to turn, say, a short chamber piece into usable parts. I have seen him work. He has one hand on a MIDI keyboard and another on a typing keyboard, and the fingers on both hands are flying. He has been using Finale for at least 15 years. As BassDad says, there's a lot more to it than you think. You have to make the notation easy to read, understand the needs of different instruments, provide for proper page turns, etc. The boyfriend is really good at this and gets paid accordingly.</p>
<p>My son in a composition program for a BM has been using Finale for 10 years. He just got a new computer that is aiding him with composition. The old one had a fan that would turn off and on and it really bothered him. He has done jobs in the past for his music teachers during high school and been paid. Also, he was able to use his finale skills when writing his IB extended essay. He converted local folk melodies in Finale and then included them in his paper. His midi keyboard went back to college with him after the winter break. With his continuing training, I am sure he will be using the acquired skills throughout college and beyond. Right now, he earns money by working in the school cafeteria. You have to start small. :)</p>
<p>Hello everyone im currently in school as an Architect major. The thing is that i love music, i had a passion for music at a very young age. I used to play keyboard, organ, drum, and etc. at my church. so wen i came to college i wanted to kind of persue that but Architecture is so demanding and i feel like Architecture is cool but music is my heart this is the second time i pondered this situation. and any help would be greatly appreciated pro's and cons.
and i really don't care about the salary i want to enjoy my career and my life.</p>
<p>jayzlyrics, my initial thought would be to have you clarify a music career pursuit within your own mind. There are many disciplines from education and instructional, academic pursuits of theory and music history, composition, performance, the business of music involving management, promotion, and production. Here's a link from Rice that details some specifics Navigating</a> Music Careers</p>
<p>In conjunction with the first, it also helps to position the importance of music to you specifically. This article from Peabody may help you define that aspect Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma</p>
<p>As to what drives a person to pursue it, there are many reasons. Some are detailed here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=460187%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=460187</a> Whether one will be successful, happy, or financially rewarded is often defined within your own eyes rather than the eyes of others. </p>
<p>From the standpoint of high level performance aspirants, the reality is that many have been training from an early age, with years of professional instruction and intense immersion. There is a glut of incredible talent competing for a small pool of "livable" wage jobs in orchestras and professional performance ensembles. </p>
<p>Admissions to the top programs is highly competitive. There are many fine programs that will provide a solid basis for undergrad music. Choosing the right one for your purpose is the key. An excellent overview about the process is here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html</a></p>
<p>In the end, it's a personal decision, often tempered by an aspirant's level of training, ability, experience and potential. You do need to go into this with well informed and without misconceptions.</p>