Future career plan for music majors after graduation...

[cardinals]

What are your plans for after you earn degrees (particularly undergraduate - BA or BM) in music? I heard that only less than 25-30% of undergrads will be able to get into the master programs because of extremely high competition...if that's the case, how will the career for the remainder be like (i.e., type of jobs)? Is it recommended to finish up to the graduate programs in order to pursue music to make money?

This is because, since I will turn mid-30s at the time of completing my bachelor's program, I think I will need to seriously think about searching for jobs right after then...and if it is still possible to get any jobs with reasonable earnings then it's even better to start working without continuing studies for the graduate degrees...

Are there any jobs or positions also open to undergraduate students? Any help or comments will be appreciated 

[Essyne]

What are your plans for after you earn degrees (particularly undergraduate - BA or BM) in music? I heard that only less than 25-30% of undergrads will be able to get into the master programs because of extremely high competition...if that's the case, how will the career for the remainder be like (i.e., type of jobs)?

Ah, yes - I've been told that after graduating from the master's programs, only 6% actually make a CAREER out of their music.

My back-up's currently are:

1.) Waitressing
2.) Death (Yes - that comes before teaching - nothing personal, teachers, just really. don't. wanna. - unless all adults all the time).

In this day and age, more letters behind your name make a big difference to people. Not my personal philosophy, but whatever  .

EDIT: I said "a career out of their music" - meant performance.

[Bob]

For performance it's just based off how well you play and can work with people.

You're also competing with several masters and doctorate students who are graduating from the top uni's and conservatories each year.  Each year, they add a few more, and that's to the years and years of previous graduates. 

After the orchestras are filled, I've heard it's about $15,000 tops for what someone can reasonably make.  That's running around playing every gig you can get.  Weekends, evenings.  And you can only do one gig at a time on holidays no matter how many want you.  2-3 tops on a day for holidays.

And there are studio musicians still left.  I don't know much about that though.

So what do people do?  If they still want music, teach.  If they want a steady income, get a part-time job that will supply that income.  Accompanying can work too. 

A degree really means squat for performance.  It's not a suprise that most have one, but it's just the aution and your track record.  Where you went to school, who you studied with is nice but what really matters is if you can play and get along with people. 

So a bachelors?  Maybe if you're that awesome.  But there are plenty of awesome people with masters and more. 

Actually.... I don't think I know anyone who makes their living solely by performing?  Does anyone here, or does anyone know anyone?  No teaching, no other income, just playing?  And how much do they make from that?

You're competing with people who played since they were young, had a family with a musical background, studied with the best, all that.  And there are a lot of them.  And if there is an opening, there will be a line of them willing to play for free just to get the experience and hopefully make a contact.  Oh yes, being rich doesn't hurt either.  Then you don't have to worry about things like money and making a living to support yourself.  You can just practice and perform with your time. 

I'm thinking in terms of playing along with others.  If you want to be a soloist, you'd be doing that already.

I hear it's easier to become a professional athlete than a professional musician.  Why?  Because those jobs are out there.  If you're doing free lance work, you're the one creating your own job.  For those people, I've heard half their time is spent doing the administrative work, some is the actual performance, some practice, and then probably some other menial job just to get some income.

Doesn't sound fun.

[Essyne]

I wasn't necessarily speaking about piano - this thread was for "music majors" in general, but, alas, this is a piano forum  .

Actually.... I don't think I know anyone who makes their living solely by performing? Does anyone here, or does anyone know anyone? No teaching, no other income, just playing? And how much do they make from that?

I'd love to know as well.

You're also competing with several masters and doctorate students who are graduating from the top uni's and conservatories each year. Each year, they add a few more, and that's to the years and years of previous graduates.

There's always someone better than you, but there is always someone worse as well. I really don't think about the sheer quantity of graduates, because I know that everyone has something unique to bring to the industry. It's a long road, yes, but one that I (and, yes, many, many, many others) am willing to trek. SOMEONE has to do it, so why can't it be me? This world is yours for the taking, if you'll just actually TAKE it.

Doesn't sound fun.

Then don't do it.

~Ess~

[Essyne]

Was thinking about degrees, and decided to restate what I meant. True, performance is not about the letters behind your name, but I find that people want teachers/lecturers who DO have the extra degrees in addition to an incredible performance background. As for just becoming a performer ("just" becoming one  . . . ), I think that the study to GET the degree is what will make you. It's not about the piece of paper, but the years of study/training that it took to GET it . . . If you can teach yourself all of that, by all means do - I can't and think that most can't either.

[Bob]

There are lots of people with letters behind there name.  I ran into one who did some telemarketing.  Pretty scary.  "Hello? Would you like to purchase this product?  And would also like to know a detailed history of Lord Byron's 19th century philosophy as it relates to post-20th century Marxist views in children's television?  Hello?... Hello?"