Printable handout here.

My two biggest pieces of advice if you’re thinking of majoring in music:

  1. Remember that 99% (best guess :-) ) of college music programs in the country require you to audition on a primary instrument. You need to pick an instrument, look up audition requirements, and focus on being the best you can be. Once you’re in college you can play other instruments and be in other ensembles, but to get in the door you need to show excellence on one instrument.

  2. Also remember that it’s easier to get off the music-degree-train than it is to get on it. I strongly encourage you to pursue the music route now, while you have these awesome skills!

Opportunity 1: Keep playing!

  • Look for ensembles open to ALL students at universities

  • Community ensembles

  • Local symphonies (get paid!)

  • Church gigs (get paid!)

  • Wedding/party gigs (get paid!)

    (after this, opportunities are in no specific order)

Opportunity 2: Summer camps

  • High school level – mostly playing opportunities

  • Collegiate level – orchestral playing, chamber music playing, conducting, teaching opportunities

  • Ask your teachers, ask me, look at: astastrings.org —> Learn Strings —> Find a Summer Camp (also a tab here to find a teacher)

Opportunity 3: Study to be a music teacher (@UNC: Bachelor of Music Education – BME)

  • There are some ways to be a classroom teacher without a license, but if you’re interested in classroom teaching I highly recommend earning a license for the most job opportunities.

  • Collegiate-level teaching is going to require at least 2 degrees, but not necessarily a BME.

Opportunity 4: Study to be a performer (and teacher J) (@UNC: Bachelor of Music in Performance – BM)

  • Perform with orchestras/chamber groups

  • Teach privately

  • Excellent degree to prepare you for graduate study

Opportunity 5: Study to be a composer (@UNC: BM in Composition)

  • The next Bach or Brian Balmages or John Williams (all different kinds of composers)

Opportunity 6: Study to be a music historian (@UNC: MM Music History & Literature)

  • Teach music history (collegiate-level teaching requires advanced degrees)

  • Pursue research on any musical subject

  • Work in music library

Opportunity 7: Study to be a music theorist (@UNC: MM Music Theory & Composition)

  • Teach music theory (collegiate-level teaching requires advanced degrees)

 Opportunity 8: Study to be a conductor (@UNC: MM Conducting)

  • Teaching K-12 is often a great start for this

  • Usually requires experience & video evidence to even get in the door

  • Requires performance & history & theory knowledge

  • Conduct K-12, community, semi-professional, youth orchestras

Opportunity 9: Study to be a music producer (@UNC: BM Music Technology)

  • Sound boards, mixing tracks, recording software, digital recording

  • Every genre, every instrument, uses these people

Opportunity 10: Study to be in music business (@UNC: BM Music Business)

  • Arts Management & Entrepreneurship

  • Be an agent (for yourself or others), work with record labels, work with not-for-profit groups, be an administrator for summer camps

Opportunity 11: Study to be an ethnomusicologist

  • Study music in its cultural context

  • Worldwide travel, bringing research & new info to light

  • Nearly always a graduate level degree

Opportunity 12: Study to be a music therapist (BM in Music Therapy or a graduate degree)

  • Music therapy: using music to accomplish other goals (regain memories, modify behavior, process emotions)

  • In some places, used regularly in schools to help students. There, music therapy & music ed work hand-in-hand.

Opportunity 13: Study to help with musician wellness

  • Physical or mental wellness

  • Can require a medical degree or at least advanced graduate study

  • Music degree first can make all the difference!

Opportunity 14: Study to be a music journalist

  • Write music reviews (of ALL kinds of music) for periodicals/books/blogs

  • Undergrad degree in music (with English/journalism minor???) would take you far. Would also set you up nicely for a grad degree in journalism.

Opportunity 15: Study to build/repair instruments

  • Specialized programs around country, not many (any??) that are fully attached to a college degree

  • Music degree first can make all the difference!

Opportunity 16: Study music a little bit

  • Minor in music (or major in music & minor in something else)

  • Double majors are tough, if one is outside of music. Not impossible, but plan to add time (and $$$) to your college plan.

 Opportunity 17 —> 1 million: created by you!!

 Places to look