<p>I have two rising seniors with totally different tastes and learning styles both wanting to major in music. I support them with all my heart and believe that if I can help get them in the right program it will give them the tools to take them somewhere. I am sure there will be big bumps in the road and they may not see a BM to the end but I will support the desire to get it started and see what happens.
I come here to read of others’ journeys and gain what I can from them. Wonderful to hear from those who have gotten through the process.</p>
<p>helpmerhonda,</p>
<p>While I appreciate the sentiment, something tells me that this is by no means an ending. In five or ten years, the Bohemian lifestyle she is living may not seem quite as engaging as it does right now. (She shares a large old house in a co-op arrangement with eight or ten other artsy twenty-somethings that seems to combine elements of an indoor bicycle junkyard, a ransacked music store, a late-60’s era hippie commune and a reality television show.) For now, at least, she is doing exactly what she wants.</p>
<p>BassDad, I very much appreciate the stories and discussion on this thread, but I’m kind of glad you said that. I didn’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but no one told me years ago that when I first looked into my baby’s eyes, I would get this immediate, profound brain-lock. All of a sudden, having a really good health plan was way more interesting than saving the world. I truly admire anyone who can go on with their dreams and still maintain a decent family life.</p>
<p>Quote:
(She shares a large old house in a co-op arrangement with eight or ten other artsy twenty-somethings that seems to combine elements of an indoor bicycle junkyard, a ransacked music store, a late-60’s era hippie commune and a reality television show.)</p>
<p>Hey, that sounds really interesting! Maybe they SHOULD go for the reality TV show, that’s where the big bucks are! That’s one I might watch! ;)</p>
<p>Back in 2002 Peabody had the best articles on their website dealing with BM vs. other degrees…Conservatory vs. University. The articles then have since been replaced (unfortunately) with similar info but (in my opinion) not as well written or compelling. Perhaps someone has saved the old ones…they were great.</p>
<p>I am starting college in a couple weeks as a Piano Performance major. I am also doing the double major sort of thing…actually double degree. I’ll end up with a BM in Piano Performance & a BA in History. My parents too were worried about jobs, which is why they want me to have another major. Yes, in most cases it’s 5 years for the double degree, but if you just double major (and have the music major done under a BA too), then it can be done in 4. Sometimes people even do the BM/BA combo in 4, but I don’t think I will be. Encouraging your son to do another major would be a good idea, especially since his grades are really good.</p>
<p>I agree about the “if you can see yourself doing something else” idea and that one can find a job in a field unrelated to the major, so this doesn’t limit you. Many people do not have a job related to the field they majored in in college, so your son getting a music degree still can allow him to have a non-music job like anyone else.</p>
<p>
Like I said, I’m doing a double degree. If your son has AP credits that will transfer in and count as general ed requirements, that would make a HUGE difference! Between my AP credits & the credit/placement I should be getting when I take my Spanish placement test, that will amount to a year’s worth of college classes. However, I still might take 5 years so I can take a few elective music classes, or add a minor if I want to. My university doesn’t really offer much for summer classes, but some people with a double major or double degree will do that instead of adding an extra year. The extra year decision usually depends on finances, if you can get a 5-year scholarship or not. Once I start college, I’ll have more info/opinions/experience with how difficult this actually is to double degree, so I can add to this later.</p>
<p>I wanted to add some more info about the double major or double degree idea.</p>
<p>The difficulty of doing that depends not only on the student, AP credits, and what the 2nd major is, but the school. I looked at schools where to do a BM in performance was only about 60 credits for the music major (then add gen ed stuff to complete it), some that were 80 credits, and some more than that. My school I’m going to uses ‘course units’ which are each = to 4 credits/semester hours. For the music major requirements (performance BM), 26 units = 104 credits, plus gen ed requirements of 12 courses (2 double count though with music major classes, so 10 really). total 36 different units = 144 credits, which is a little more than the average Bachelor’s degree. That can affect the time and difficulty of completing a double major of double degree. If people go the BA route at my school with a music major + another major, it doesn’t seem bad as far as credits. Double degree- When you add those 36 units for the BM + gen ed requirements, then another major under the BA degree (w/ gen eds counting the same for the BA), you’re up to at least 46 units = 184 credits, or more. That depends on the school and the 2nd major, but it can be hard to do in 4 years. </p>
<p>So when looking into schools and the double degree possibility, check on the # of credits and the possibility of 4 vs 5 years. Be aware that if you pick a music program within a university that does not specifically offer the double degree program and have that set up as a 5-year thing, the scholarships often don’t cover the 5th year. Some people on here mentioned schools like Oberlin that have the 5-year program and aid is for 5 years on those programs, but at my school scholarships typically cover only 4 years and the 5th year has to be paid entirely by the student (most of the time). I actually did get mine to cover the 5th year if I need 5 years, so definitely ask about it. Sometimes they’ll do that.</p>
<p>Also, if the double degree is the choice, some schools will require 5 years and not let you do it in 4, no matter how much the student thinks they can. This, from what I’ve heard, tends to be at the schools where they offer a specific double degree program for 5 years and have that all mapped out for you. When you pick a school that doesn’t necessarily have that all mapped out and you choose to do it, they might let you chose 4 vs 5 years (this is how my school is).</p>