<p>My son is interested in either music education or music production/ sound recording. Any insights into the safer profession in regards to ability to find job, job security, salary etc. Any recommendations for colleges with good programs for sound recording in New England? Thanks</p>
<p>manchmom, I’ve requested the mods move this thread to the music major forum [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums). You will have a broader perspective and hands on knowledge from posters with specific expertise in defining and researching music programs. Please read this <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a> as an overview if you are at all unfamiliar with undergrad music programs. And this as well: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html</a> </p>
<p>The definitive thread on music business is here <a href=“Music Industry,Business,Technolgy,Engineering - Music Major - College Confidential Forums”>Music Industry,Business,Technolgy,Engineering - Music Major - College Confidential Forums;
<p>If you do a title search within the music major forum for “music ed” and “music education” you’ll bring up about a page and a half each of titled threads. </p>
<p>As to your question as to safety, security, remuneration, music ed is probably the surer bet, but it can be geographically and economically skewed; programs with strong support face the axe less frequently in tough economic times. I strongly discourage anyone from pursuing an education path, music or otherwise, unless they understand exactly what is involved in teaching within a k-12 environment. That is what a music ed path is designed to do.</p>
<p>The chances of success in the music production field can vary widely, and a good deal is contingent upon the type of program/degree, the availability of contacts, location, internships, and exposure, far more so than a music ed path.</p>
<p>You may also want to read the related current thread here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/814792-your-kid-wants-major-something-you-cant-seem-them-doing-million-years.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/814792-your-kid-wants-major-something-you-cant-seem-them-doing-million-years.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you for your very informative reply. I have already read all the sites you suggested. For the first time I was able to generate a list of colleges offering a sound recording degree via the AES society. All of this is very overwhelming. My son seems to be favoring this program vs music education. It seems like there are jobs out there but a lot depends upon the person’s connections, internships etc. How does one find out which program will have the most connections and best internships? How much should one weigh that factor when considering cost? As you mentioned in one of your threads there is a big price difference between a state school and a private institution. Thank you again for your reply, I am off to read more threads!</p>
<p>manchmom, I have no more than a passing knowledge of the intricacies of the various programs. Programs and schools that seem to be repeated mentioned as being among the “best” in terms of internships and connections are those at NYU (I’m not sure if it’s through Steinhardt or Tisch), Drexel, Belmont, UHartford/Hartt, and I believe USC (Thorton), UDenver(Lamont). If you follow the search parameters I cited for music ed and search within the music major forum changing the keywords to “music business”, “music technology”, and similar permutations, you’ll pull up a number of threads with school/progam specific discussions.</p>
<p>Part of the problem is the various names used for similar programs at various institutions, and it makes searching for the info already here fairly tedious. If you have problems, let me know and I’ll pull up some thread links for you.</p>
<p>Added: realize also that music ed is typically a combination of grades/stats, audition and interview. The music recording programs vary widely, and a good number will require an audition as well. Do not neglect the audition prep and parameters, and while the bar is typically not set as high for music ed or recording majors as it is for performance majors, there may well be conservatory level talent auditioning for either ed or music business/music tech.</p>