<p>Hello, i am currently an engineering major at PSU university park but i am looking and considering to switch to music. This is isn't because i'm not qualified for engineering as i have a 3.5 in my 3rd semester completing most pre-major required classes. It is rather i am realizing i have no interest in any of the current of future classes. I have looked very deeply into this for at least 2 years since music was always my true passion. But i was scared of the job opportunity coming out which is why you can imagine i started as an engineer. However, i can already see i simply wont be happy with this occupation even if i landed many jobs outside college. I guess you could say i was sort of pushed into this direction. </p>
<p>Anyhow, if i were to want to change my major to music how would i even try going about this? I am also wondering if this is a smart decision, i know the job opportunity isn't high but i honestly cant see myself doing engineering of any sort. To put some background, i have played piano for 11 years. I was able to qualify freshmen year through auditions as a member of the Penn state jazz band and jazz ensembles . My classical skills are also exceptional enough i believe. Senior year of high school I was able to take 2nd place in a music festival around my district playing repertoire such as Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor and Debussy's Toccata from Pour le piano. Any advice would be appreciated on how to approach this or if i'm heading in a wrong decision. Thanks you!</p>
<p>Hi Nate, Penn State has a Music School with a lot of degree options from BA to BM and a number of music minors. Your best bet for changing majors and keeping the extra time needed for graduation to a minimum is to start with the web site for the school of music [Admissions</a> | The Penn State School of Music](<a href=“School of Music - Penn State College of Arts and Architecture”>School of Music - Penn State College of Arts and Architecture) and explore the options. Then go in and talk to them about what you are interested in and what is possible. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think you need to decide what you want to do…do you want to major in jazz performance on piano? Do you want to study classical piano? That is important, because usually you can’t do both jazz and classical. </p>
<p>My other question is how well have you kept up on the piano? Usually with BM (and prob with many BA’s) if you wanted to do it on piano you would need to audition, it is likely you can’t just transfer from engineering (if you can, most likely would be the BA that might allow that). Probably your best bet might be to try and see if you could get an evaluation from a teacher in the piano department (might cost you a fee to do so), and see what they think. Piano is very, very competitive, and it is likely you won’t just be able to ‘transfer’ into piano performance. Music is difficult in general and piano is near the apex of competition in the music world,incredibly so, so it is important to be realistic and see what someone on the faculty says.</p>
<p>At Penn State, admission to both BM and BA, for freshmen or for transfers, includes an “audition, interview and.or portfolio.” Some colleges have BA programs that do not include an audition.</p>
<p>The level of skill required may be less for a BA than BN.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have the talent to audition at the school you are at, PSU. </p>
<p>College majors and careers don’t have to match. If you study music, you can pursue music as a career or on the side, and you have access to any job requiring a bachelor’s, as well as access to any grad or professional school (medicine, law, business, nursing, whatever). Music majors get a lot of respect for their discipline and hard work.</p>
<p>There is no wrong decision. Being young and doing both at the moment I would STRONGLY advise you to get your engineering degree and then make the switch to music for graduate school. There are so many, many jobs that are opened to you with an engineering degree - just because the courses don’t look appealing doesn’t mean you will not find satisfaction with the job. Did you look at the other engineering majors since you don’t usually commit until junior year? Sometimes when you are doing both paths like you are, the one you do with your heart is the one that seems the most desirable because it is the one you do in your extra time. Once it becomes the only thing in your life, it may not have the same appeal. A switch to music now maybe the perfect choice for you, I’m just saying look at it very, very carefully and particularly get professional verification on your talent before you leap. Good luck!</p>