Soph Son Claims Passion for Music Major

Parents Forum
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<p>Soph Son at liberal arts public ivy wants to be Music major (no audition, etc. req'd) at this school. This college doesn't have a particularly strong Music program, but my son loves the school. His interest frosh year was English because he enjoys writing. Son is good pianist (about 12 yrs of trng), is okay on guitar, and has no singing voice. Although he would like to perform, his central interest now seems to be composing, arranging, recording, and the like. He is working at learning related technology via hands-on volunteering. </p>

<p>I have told myself that I'd never squash my childrens' passions, no matter how impractical, but this one doesn't sit quite right because I don't know if it's really a passion. I have been supportive, but not enthusiastic because he has turned down many other music-related education offers in previous yrs. </p>

<p>I've told him that we will pay for a 4 yr Bach. degree and possibly a 2 yr Masters degree...but that's it. Told him that we're always available to talk, but if he doesn't put use those resources to his best use, he will face the consequences...there will be no "do-over" money from us. </p>

<p>I paid for most of my BS (business) through odd jobs and the like. So I'm a practical person. In brief, I'm having a hard time with two things...1) my son's sudden desire to major in music (although I'm aware that Music is a challenging major, I've wondered if it's an "out" given all that he has lost some confidence being surrounded by so many very bright students...he disagrees); and 2) and my concerns about his ability to find a niche after graduation as a Music major...he has a strong dose of ADHD, so he isn't good at organizing himself for difficult challenges.</p>

<p>Help! Thoughts?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>A no-audition, liberal arts music major is quite different from a professional music major. It does not require an enormous number of courses.</p>

<p>The college one of my kids attended had this type of music major. Almost all of the students who majored in music were also double-majoring in something else.</p>

<p>Might a double major be a good solution for your son?</p>

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<p>If he learns the technology, and becomes good at that, his chances of making a living are probably much better than if he is interested in performance. Give it a chance.</p>

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<p>And it’s not like the job prospects for English majors are all that much better either.</p>

5

<p>What are joyous thing to have found his passion!</p>

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<p>Head on over to the music majors forum. Lots of support and info there. [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums)
Couple of career threads and there are a number of double major threads.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1417401-career-music.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1417401-career-music.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html?highlight=careers[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html?highlight=careers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;