Post-graduation Life as a Music Major

College Majors Music Major
1

When I first went into undergraduate studies my goal was to come out with a BM in music education on move on to a single subject teaching credential program; however, that was not the case. I ended up graduating with a BA in music with no concentration. The BM demands so much time, concentration, and passion, and I know many of you may agree with me when I say that it is too overwhelming when we also have activities outside of academia to deal with.

Throughout my entire time at my institution I felt overwhelmingly stressed and could not keep up with the material while many of my colleagues grasped concepts at a much faster pace (especially theory, musicianship, and pedagogy). Eventually I gave in and could handle it no longer, dropping the BM and switching to a BA.

I had no idea what I would do after graduating, but I can tell you that it has not been easy. As of now the only activity that I do, music related, is teaching saxophone privately while working a part-time as a retail worker with varying hours every week. It’s difficult to find a career in music when there is so much competition and employers only want the best of the best (even for entry level positions!), and it’s not just the field of music. You will come to learn people of every major (even the sciences) are having trouble finding anything in their field. Sure, you could be an unpaid intern, but sometimes that is out of the question when you have to pay for rent, groceries, gas, utilities, etc.

The one thing that I wish upon all music majors (and those who have already graduated) is to NOT LOSE YOUR PASSION. Even before graduating I felt my passion for music diminish, and I believe that is because I gave up on what I set out to do. I spend much less time practicing, my teaching methods for my students has become lazy, and I am not involved in any ensemble.

Steadily I have been trying to regain the passion that I once had in hopes of regaining that dire to be a public school music teacher, but the process is not easy. I am currently in the process of taking all the tests required to enter a preliminary teaching credential program, so that’s a start. I have begun to listen to more of the composers I love (Respighi, Whitacre, Dvorak, Glass, etc.), which Eric Whitacre believes is one of the best things to help you remember why you set out on this long, difficult journey.

To those who are new to the music major, DO NOT GIVE UP. I know all the piano, theory, sight singing, and demand of your private instructors will seem overwhelming, but you will get through it. Listen to your favorite piece (or song) by your favorite composer every day to help remind yourself why you are doing this. And most importantly, STAY PASSIONATE! Many of you might not feel as passionate as you used to be and not even know it because you are too distracted by all the stress. Talk to professors you’re close to, especially your private instructors, for surely many of them have gone through the same thing.

I urge any of you that have ever felt this way to reply and share your stories, for all of us music majors are one big family.

I wish you all the best of luck in your studies,

Cheers!

2

I am so glad you have decided to push through and follow your passion. Sometimes those who struggle with something end up being the very people who go on to excel and make a mark on the field. It is the struggle that can often lead us to having insights and unique approaches to the very thing we love. SO HURRAY FOR YOU!!!

My own son graduated with a BM and is in a master’s program and works as a musician. But he wants something more out of it all. Something he can not quite put his finger on. But once you realize that life is a journey and not about arriving at an end point it is easier to just keep moving forward doing what you love and seeing where it takes you.

3

The one thing about music in all its forms is you need that passion to move forward, it takes a thick skin and a lot of dedication to make it through. I am glad @musicba2016 you are finding that passion again, and are also finding a way to make it work. It is very easy to get discouraged, to feel like everyone else is better, wherever you lie on the music spectrum, my S is pretty talented but he has spent the last 10 years around some of the best in the world who in many cases are way ahead of him, and it has caused him his moments, one of the biggest things in looking at yourself is to judge yourself based on both what you feel is lacking and where your strengths are (my son had a teacher this summer yell at him because my S always self criticizes but never points out his strengths).

4

You might enjoy watching “Talent has Hunger” about Paul Katz and his cello students at NEC. At least one of the students suffers a lack of motivation for awhile and regains it.

It would be wonderful if you can do a master’s or get a credential in music education, since you have been consistently interested in that field.

However, I just want to say, there is no need for anyone who majors in anything to match career exactly to major. Music BA’s and BM’s can go to medical school or law school or become nurses or apply for any job that requires a bachelor’s. I know a trombonist who is working for Sesame Street, a singer who runs a non-profit, a composer who curates for a museum, a guitarist who is a high school guidance counselor, and a music theory PhD who is running a Silicon Valley start-up. The possibilities are endless, and some choose a path outside of music but remain committed to playing outside of work, in regional orchestras for instance.

The twenties are so hard because people tend to find their path after a few years that feel like wandering. It sounds like your plans are gelling and I hope they work out. From a distance, I can see all kinds of possibilities for someone like you and you are narrowing them down on a nice timetable, even if it doesn’t feel that way!