<p>Hi! I want to get a degree in music education-I've been doing band/lessons since fourth grade, and I really can't see myself being happy in any other field. My parents won't help me at all unless I major in something else. My dad pursued a degree in a field that he didn't like, and never got employed, and he is really bitter about life now. I'd rather study something I love and have to live frugally than be in the field I hate. My parents won't listen- to me, my grandparents, to anyone, and it really stresses me out. A lot of the people around me feel like it would be something I would excel at. I need help trying to get my parents to listen so I can have time to prepare before auditions.</p>
<p>Tr;DL: My parents won't let me major in the field I want to even though I have a plan.</p>
<p>Your parents may not understand the job options available for a music teacher, or they may not see how you would get one of the few music teacher positions that open up in a school. You may not be able to change their mind quickly, but if you have a few years before you apply to college, you have time to build up a case. Show them statistics on how much music teachers get paid, how many in your state are hired in a given year, and other job options that are available for people with music education backgrounds. A neighbor’s D now works for a software education company … the software teaches something related to music, so her background was perfect. </p>
<p>Recognize however, that your parents may have restrictions that you can’t get past if they are paying for your education. You may have to respect that for your undergrad degree, as their tuition payments may have an expectation of a job at the end of 4 years. </p>
<p>Can you double major?</p>
<p>Prefect…it is VERY hard to double major in music education. Coursework often starts in the freshman year for music majors. In addition to the music education requirements, music majors have ensemble requirements as well. Add to that at least one term off campus for student teaching. This is typically senior year. Many music education programs also have a shorter in school experience during the junior year. </p>
<p>We are very familiar with the requirements for a music education major. We have known a few students who started off with the intention of a double major. Some bailed on the second major. Some others bailed on music education.</p>
<p>Go to the Music Major section under college majors - lots of good info there.</p>
<p>It may help your argument to show your parents that many Music Education programs can demonstrate 100% job placement on graduation. </p>
<p>I second the suggestion to go to the music major forum here. This topic comes up a lot there. My daughter majored in music, did some interning during college, and has an administrative position with a music non-profit, and could have gotten a good job in any non-profit, honestly. Tell your parents that as a group, music majors have the highest acceptance rate to medical school ( a few years ago when I read this, it was at 66%). The discipline and work ethic are admired by most employers, in or out of music fields. And music education is a great field that can transfer to other jobs as well. Maybe there is a teacher or other mentor who could talk with your parents?</p>
<p>Check out double degrees (not the same as a double major). Here is a good essay to read: <a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html</a> Many schools offer double degree programs on campus or in partnership with another institution.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your advice- the music forum killed all of the self doubt/worry I had about getting a job after graduation. You just have to be creative to get a job in the field, which is something I have. I’m going to talk to my parents about it this week- and I’m going to show them that link to the Peabody conservatory. </p>
<p>Good luck! And your parents can go on the music forum too if they like :)</p>