<p>I am a highschool student researching music school programs for the far, yet so close future haha. I have been told that my first decision should be choosing whether to pick a Music Ed focus or a Music Performance focus. If I am deciding to go straight for performance I might be able to look at some upper level conservatories. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of prestigous music schools that are great with Music Ed majors, however, my private instructors and music teachers have expressed that my skills for music are above the average student musician and I could probably get into some upper level conservatories that are extremely select and prestigious. </p>
<p>I believe I would be a great music teacher, education in other areas is my fall back if music fails me. However I do want to be able to get into a good opera program for my graduate training, as well as recieve strong performance skills in my undergrad work. Would Music Education supply training in Music Performance as well as education, and prepare me enough to get into a grad program for opera performance? Or should I stick with Performance and recieve the intense training? </p>
<p>Also is it possible to teach music without having a specific Music Ed Major, and if you could, what are some schools famous for music education as well as strong music performance departments, or music ed programs that are well known for their performance emphasis within the program?</p>