<p>I'm a Junior music major with an emphasis in theory/composition, but I have a dilemma. Being an upperclassman, I need to be positive that I love what I'm doing. Arts administration has been an interest of mine for the past couple of years, and now I'm thinking of adding this emphasis to my degree. With the job market how it is, I want to be employable somewhere in the music field. If I work hard and add one semester, I could graduate with a music degree in both theory/comp and arts admin. with a minor in nonprofit management (only two classes in addition to the admin. requirements). </p>
<p>Is adding the emphasis and minor worth adding an extra semester? I'm anxious to graduate, but I don't want that to affect my decisions too much. I don't know what employers in arts admin. want - musicians who know business or businessmen who know music. I just really want to work somewhere in music and not rule out grad school for music in the process (reason for not just doing arts admin.). </p>
<p>If anyone knows something about the arts admin. field or has had experience with extra semesters for the sake of an extra emphasis/minor/etc., opinions/advice would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Why not take some accounting and marketing courses either at your school or online? Then volunteer this summer (or work for pay if you get lucky) at a local arts venue. When you go back to school this fall try to work (or volunteer)for your school’s theatre for or at another local venue. In this economy, you are more likely to be hired if someone knows you and knows that you are a hard worker than just because you have a “degree” in it. Since you already have a music degree in progress, save the money for grad school and bolster your resume with volunteer or paid positions. One of son’s friends with a performance/music ed degree without a business minor is working for a well known national music company. They were more interested in her musical background and felt they could teach her the business side more easily than teaching a nonmusician music.</p>
<p>Another idea for arts admin/mgt volunteer opportunities would be to become the music director or manager for one or more of your school’s music groups this Fall. At son’s school he is in 2 non-credit groups, each of this groups has a treasurer, musical director, etc. They are responsible for buying music, getting the rights to perform it, arranging gigs, selecting the repertoire, auditioning new members, etc. All of these skills would be directly transferable for arts jobs in the future.<br>
In addition, check out local churches. Our church has a large contemporary music program that requires sound techs as well as musicians and a music director. Many of the participants work in music industry and often recommend each other for jobs.<br>
Good luck!</p>