<p>Hi! Essentially I have quite a few questions about music majors and the field as a whole that I hope some of you can answer. </p>
<p>I'm class of 2011, looking to enter as an undergrad (my top college choice is Rice University). My GPA is a 3.69 with AP classes and other college prep courses. My SAT score was a 2090, but I'm planning on retaking it for something higher. </p>
<p>I've played viola for five years and am in my school's chamber orchestra (we recently did Mendelssohn's octet in E flat major). I also started singing this in year in an a capella choir, men's choir (despite being female...), musical, and barbershop quartet. I believe it's safe to say that I'm stronger and more capable in vocal music.</p>
<p>That being said, there aren't many people at my high school who seem well-equipped to answer my questions about the music field.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>First, if I were to study viola in college, how hard would it be to get accepted to a decent program? I realize it's probably too late to prepare for places such as Shepherd, Oberlin, etc., but what mid-level music schools are out there, and what would I be expected to do to get in?</p></li>
<li><p>Essentially, the same question above, but for voice. Also, what amount of singing prowess is expected for more prestigious music schools or even conservatories? Again, what would I need to do?</p></li>
<li><p>If I pursue a music major, I would definitely want my music career to end up in education. What kind of job opportunities are there? Any advice?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks in advance! =]</p>
<p>You should check on the internet for the audition requirements for schools that you are interested in. These will give you some idea for viola as to their expectations. For viola most schools will at minimum want some unaccompanied Bach and a concerto movement. There are some schools that merely want two contrasting selections. Also consider arranging a sample lesson with an instructor at a couple of schools that are reasonably close to you. The instructors can give you a good idea as to what league you are in and whether you would be competitive for admission to their schools.</p>
<p>Voice is very competitive, especially for females. Normally you would have taken private lessons for a number of years. If you are not already taking private lessons on voice and viola, then you should find a good teacher immediately, regardless of whether you are looking at a top-tier school, second- third- or bottom- tier school. You also may want to consider going to a summer program to build your skills and get an idea as to whether serious study of music is something you want.</p>
<p>There is often a shortage of violists at music schools for filling in their orchestras and their string quartets, so you may find yourself a wanted commodity. On the other hand, there is usually a surplus of very talented female singers.</p>
<p>Job opportunities for music will vary from place to place and hard economic times often mean cuts in the arts. Generally though, there is a demand for good music teachers.</p>
<p>On a side note: I would not recommend that a female interested in pursuing a voice major sing in a male choir. Even singing the highest tenor parts is not good for a young female voice. Prolonged use of the chest voice without any use of the head voice at all is detrimental, and a female singing in a male chorus will usually push her sound in unhealthy ways in an effort to hear herself and contribute. As a choral teacher, I have gotten requests from females wanting to sing tenor; however, even when I have a severe shortage of tenors, I do not allow females to join the section. Even when they can “hit all the notes,” it is not vocally healthy and it does not make an appeciable contribution to the section’s sound. I expect that if you get a private voice teacher, the teacher will recommend against your singing in the male choirs. If you must stay in the male choir until the end of the school year, be very careful about not forcing your voice especially when in your lower range.</p>
<p>Several things to consider. Rice University is not only a top tier university it is a world class conservatory. Admissions to the Shepherd School of Music are very competitive and you also have to get into the university. A GPA of 3.6 is a little low for Rice unless you are phenomenal musician. Rice’s student profile is here. [Rice</a> University | Faculty | Researchers](<a href=“http://www.professor.rice.edu/professor/Entering_Class.asp?SnID=1984219858]Rice”>http://www.professor.rice.edu/professor/Entering_Class.asp?SnID=1984219858) The requirements for the music school are here. [Shepherd</a> School of Music - Rice University](<a href=“http://music.rice.edu/undergraduate/index.shtml]Shepherd”>http://music.rice.edu/undergraduate/index.shtml) Rice does not have an education degree either. Education credentials would have to be done at another program. </p>
<p>I am not familiar with viola, but for voice, you need to find a good teacher now. Even state universities are competitive and I agree with violindad that singing tenor parts is not good for you and will not get you into a good mid tier program or into music ed. Low voices are in more demand than sopranos, but you need to look at some of the state universities audition requirements to see what is required. The requirements were not as tough as for the conservatory level schools. An example is here for University of South Carolina. [Audition</a> Requirements](<a href=“School of Music - School of Music | University of South Carolina”>School of Music - School of Music | University of South Carolina) You can find similar information at the state universities in states that interest you. If you are considering education, you should go to a good music education program that will certify you in the geographic area where you want to teach. The connections that the schools have to their geographic area will make it easier to find a job.</p>
<p>I will not disagree with what has been written already, with the exception of one small point</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>While this may be true in some of the smaller programs, some LAC programs, and even some of the larger solid state programs particularly in a straight music ed pursuit, it will not apply at the likes of programs of the caliber of Rice, Oberlin, et al. </p>
<p>If you are serious about the viola, engage a local private instructor whose specialty is that instrument. You may find a violinist who also teaches viola capable of bringing you to a high level, but you very well may not. Further reading is here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/664421-switching-violin-viola.html?highlight=switching[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/664421-switching-violin-viola.html?highlight=switching</a></p>
<p>I will not address vocal aspects, as there are others far more qualified than I other than to say that the same general factors in searching for a high quality music ed program are the same for vocal, general, or instrumental music ed paths. </p>
<p>In general, for straight music ed, your state system will be the most cost effective and many provide very good programs and trained, in demand teachers. Some of the publics have a national rep for producing top flight music teachers, sought after by virtually any district. You may also look to privates for any number of reasons, including a higher academic level, higher musical peer quality, a specific instructor, or potential for academic/talent/or merit scholarships that may well bring your costs in line (or below) your instate public options.</p>
<p>Some threads to get you started:</p>
<p><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></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/537916-pros-cons-large-vs-small-univ-music-ed-vocal-performance.html?highlight=music+ed[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/537916-pros-cons-large-vs-small-univ-music-ed-vocal-performance.html?highlight=music+ed</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/235446-music-ed-public-vs-private.html?highlight=music+ed[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/235446-music-ed-public-vs-private.html?highlight=music+ed</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/842786-music-education-plus-academics.html?highlight=music+education[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/842786-music-education-plus-academics.html?highlight=music+education</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/795610-specific-schools-music-education-programs.html?highlight=music+education[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/795610-specific-schools-music-education-programs.html?highlight=music+education</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/516829-music-education-careers.html?highlight=music+education[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/516829-music-education-careers.html?highlight=music+education</a> </p>
<p>These are basically music ed general info threads, although there may be specific school or discipline info within. There are many more. I’m happy to pull thread links, but if you search within this forum/advanced/use “music ed” and “music education” as separate keyword searches (use the quotes)/search titles/display threads you will bring up five pages of titled threads between the two criteria.</p>
<p>Look to more info through your state’s Music Educators Association, music educators professional organizations like ASTA, MENC, MTNA, (I don’t know if there is a specific vocal/choral professional educators organization, perhaps others might). There are links to the three I indicate here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/608305-useful-music-links.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/608305-useful-music-links.html</a></p>
<p>Investigate and come back with questions. We’re glad to help.</p>
<p>Music education as in “teaching in a public school K-12 setting” or as in “teaching students privately in my own studio or a local music school”? These have different educational requirements and are often quite different career paths.</p>
<p>A good point, but music education is certification to teach in a k-12 setting as defined by most collegiate level programs that provide the qualifictions to obtain initial licensure. You don’t need a music education degree or certification to teach privately, in a non public program, or community music school setting. Most of the course work is beneficial, but some state mandated coursework is extraneous. Those seeking that path are best served by looking into specific pedagogy programs, designed for specific instrument/discipline instructional techniques.</p>
<p>A couple of other points:</p>
<p>1) I realize that you were not planning to apply there anyway, but know that Oberlin no longer has an undergrad music ed program except for those students who had already started on that major when the decision was made to move to a graduate-level only program. The normal path there now is to complete a BM in performance through the conservatory and then do a 1-year plus two summers program at the graduate level that results in a master’s degree in music ed, and should qualify you to earn your teaching license in any state.</p>
<p>2) If you are looking for a good school a notch or two down from Oberlin and Rice, but that still has good music and music ed departments, nice facilities, a decent orchestra and a pretty good chorus, have a look at Susquehanna U.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. I’ll be sure to look into these resources and figure out what I want to do.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there isn’t exactly a plethora of qualified private instructors where I live (in either discipline), which is why I’m aiming for a mid-tier program. However, my heart isn’t set on performance, so would it be easier to shoot for straight music ed? I’m not really sure how that works.</p>
<p>As for the concerns about singing tenor- I’ve never heard that singing tenor would be counterproductive for my voice. I’ll definitely ask my choral instructor about it and make sure that my voice is safe. I have a somewhat unusual range, though: I can sing in the baritone range, so a high tenor is fairly easy for me and actually encompasses parts of my head voice; on the other hand, my head voice is pretty extensive (around F6/G6). I also have perfect pitch, so my worries aren’t about range/intonation but rather timbre and general experience.</p>
<p>Virtually all BM, BS and BA music ed programs require an audition on an instrument or vocally as part of the admissions process. Often there is an interview component as well. If you are looking at “mid tier”, you most likely have to do an audition.</p>
<p>There are some schools that will allow you to begin the program, then pass an audition by the end of your first or second year to continue with that major.</p>