<p>Ive been playing piano for about 6 years but do Im not as good as I should be because of the fact that I "stopped" playing for about 2 years. I would say im an intermediate player, not advanced yet. I can play some advanced pieces with a lot of practice, but yea...</p>
<p>Anyways, im considering of majoring in Journalism and minoring in music. Is that possible at colleges like Temple, Rutgers and Howard? Ive heard some people say that you cant minor in music. Is this true?</p>
<p>My dream is to one day produce/write for artists. I guess I can take advantage of my piano playing skills and maybe consider majoring in music and broaden my knowledge as far as music goes. </p>
<p>Ive seen some of the requirements for some colleges (to get into their music programs). I guess there arent any "novices" majoring in music because some of the requirements (for the audition) are very, very hard. </p>
<p>Back when I was about 14, my music teacher was seriously considering to...train me, so that I would be eligible to make it into a school like Julliard or even Columbia's music program. But I then moved to the carribean and "abandoned" music for a long while. I regret doing that.</p>
<p>I see no reason why you can't minor in music; but I don't have specific knowledge of those universities. Journalism and music are both humanities, so you shouldn't run into much of a conflict in a "school of arts and sciences" type place. I'm going to major in Neuroscience and minor or double major in Flute Performance--try explaining that to a school counselor :rolleyes:. </p>
<p>If you can't get a "degree" in music, there's no reason to abandon the art. Universities always have great teachers available for the engineers and mathematicians of the world who don't want to get sucked completely into the soulless void of hard sciences. Piano is a tough, tough field, but you can be a marvelous player without making it your life's calling.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Universities always have great teachers available for the engineers and mathematicians of the world who don't want to get sucked completely into the soulless void of hard sciences.
[/quote]
What do you mean?</p>
<p>And about the "degree"...do most music "minors/majors" have to be excellent players to get into college? Because with most careers...half the time...you know nothin about the career..but since it interests you..you decide to major in it. But it seems that with MUSIC it is different. You have to be the best of the best to even get in. Shooot.</p>
<p>I know me some piano, but I never thought that I would have to know 5 advanced pieces just to apply. What about the novices who want to major in music?</p>
<p>Santo - There'ws no reason you can't minor in music. But you need to know the difference between a B.A. degree (a liberal arts degree requiring about 1/4 to 1/3 of your college coursework) and a B.M. degree (a professional degree requiring 2/3 to 3/4). Typically an audition is required for the latter, not the former. You won't be looking at B.M. programs in performance; you're more interested in composition. You may want to look at schools that have a concentration in composition as part of a B.A. degree - the ones you mention all offer the B.M. degree.</p>
<p>It's difficult for me to imagine being a novice and wanting to major in music. The problem here is that it takes years and years of study and practice to become proficient; even if you're the smartest, most gifted musician in the world, time builds the skills. With a major in music, you'd be entering the shark-infested world of competative arts straight out of college, with only a few years of practice. I've been playing piano since kindergarten, and I've been practicing flute 1-2 hours every day since sixth grade, but I still don't want to major in music. When I get out of college, I'd have to compete with the people who have been practicing 3-4 hours since the age of six.</p>
<p>That said, according to the original post, you only want to minor in music. That's a different story. A lot of colleges don't even offer minors, just "concentrations," and there's nothing stopping you from taking a lot of music theory/composition classes. What I meant before is that the music teachers on campus are usually available to everyone, not just conservatory students. Heck, I've been taking lessons from professors at UCSD since freshman year (that's just to illustrate how easy it is to get coaching; I was horrible).</p>
<p>I don't know what schools you are looking at, but I agree with Cre8tive1 that there are a lot with excellent English and Music departments. Amherst, UCLA, ditto Oberlin...you take over from here.</p>
<p>You will need to check with the specific colleges to find out if lessons are available for non-majors. DD is doing this and she has gotten a whole variety of responses. Some schools offer lessons to music majors ONLY. Some schools offer music lessons to non-majors but you have to pay extra for them. Some schools offer lessons to non-majors and you do NOT have to pay for them, but you must participate in an ensemble (either large or small) to get them. Some schools offer lessons to non-majors but for a reduced amount of time (majors get 1 hour lessons, non-majors get 1/2 hour or so). The other option DD has explored (and may be good for you too) is taking private lessons with a good teacher in the college town area. Oh...another important thing...the music majors in all cases get priority for use of practice rooms. For a piano major (who can't exactly BRING an instrument with them to another location) this could be an issue. BTW...some schools charge a fee for the use of practice rooms. Here is what DD did...she sent an email to the music department chairperson at her top choice schools. She told that person what she wanted to do in college musically, and asked what was available for her. She received very informative and interested replies in all cases. Also these department chairs put her in touch with the music faculty (if there was one) on her instrument, and she has had some correspondence with a couple of them as well. Check it all out....for DD it worked out that her number one choice school will offer her lessons at no charge as long as she makes a commitment to play in the orchestra which is EXACTLY what she wants to do.</p>
<p>Yea, gadad, Im really interested in the "composition" part.</p>
<p>I guess you are all riight. Its a very competitive field and I guess one would have to have a lot of experience to major in the field. I just figured that I could put my years of piano playing to use.</p>
<p>I think Im probably not going to major or minor in music. I am going to find out though, like thumper1 said, If I can do something musically, get involved musically, in the college. I also play drums, and though piano is my main focus, I guess I can try out for the band or something.</p>
<p>Santo....lots of kids around here have made great friends in the marching bands and/or pep bands at their colleges. As a friend who was the head student for a major university told my son (who is a performance major)..."the students in the marching band and pep band are NOT very good musicians". BUT they have fun and there is terrific camaraderie. Maybe the percussion section can use you!!</p>
<p>offers a music minor through the Mason Gross School of the Arts:</p>
<p>"Minor Requirements
Students may elect a minor program in music consisting
of at least 18 credits, distributed as follows: (1) at least
6 credits in music theory (example: 07:700:103-104); (2) at
least 6 credits in music history (example: 07:700:101-102);
and (3) 6 elective credits in music, to be chosen in
consultation with a faculty adviser."</p>
<p>Im glad your considering an HBCU to continue your education. But i have a great amount of knowledge about Temple and Howard, since they are large Universitys, im sure that you would be able to minor in music. But you dont even have to minor in music to have a musical experience @ college, you can always take a couple music classes here and there to satisfy your craving. But the only downside i know is im under the impression that HBCU's tend to focus on the gospel portion of music. By your entry, you made it sound like you were more classicaly sound. But this is only what ive learned by visiting a couple of the HBCU campuses, such as Spelman (my 1st choice) and Hampton, they all say that they have great music programs, but their music is gospel. So just letting you know what i learned for my HBCU experience. But yeah i would definitely say pursue the music minor. Your intentions sound great!</p>