A Career in Music, College in Music should I go for it?

[chopinlover23]

Hi,

I really need good answers for this one, I'm 13 and I have been playing the Piano for 5 Years now and I've finished my freshman year and I'm going into my sophomore years this June. My mom tells me to decide on a College couse since 3 years are enough to decide. I have decided now to take a college course with a major in Piano, my friend from my music school who's entering her college days has given me the thought of entering it also. I really love to play Piano and want to pursue it. My parents approve of it, my question is what are the career options aside from being a pianist can I get if I have a degree in Music, major in Piano?

Thanks 

[oxy60]

You won't regret your choice of a music major. Depending on where you go to school will determine how good your piano playing will need to be. When I entered college I was a working musician. However neither my piano or organ playing were good enough to do a senior recital in four years. So I switched to conducting.

The competition was rather stiff. A few classes before I enrolled produced a "star" recording and concert pianist. One of my classmates became the chairman of the department at a big university.

[Bob]

There are several other threads on this.

Teaching of course, which you would probably have to do even if you were fairly successful performing.  Private/independent teaching, public/private school teaching, group lessons at some level (I'm thinking community music organizations, like class piano or early music classes).

Music business.

You could still go the accompanist route for playing though.

Theory, teaching again.

College professor.

Music therapist.

Composer.


You'll probably want at least a masters too if not more.

[invictious]

I have talked to several outstanding pianists who used to be on this forum and I have asked them about how it was like to choose to become a professional pianist or why they did not choose to choose to become a professional pianist.

My thoughts are to be taken with a grain of salt as I have not chose to become a professional pianist but here are my thoughts anyway.

I do not think that loving to play piano should be the sole reason for why one would want to become a professional pianist. It is like the chef who enjoyed food so he became a professional chef. I hear about people practicing for more than six hours a day to meet the stiff competition within college. From then on, it just becomes a chore of spending many many hours a week practicing and learning new pieces for the upcoming recital.

I know one who is a highly proficient pianist (posted a wonderful recording of Islamey here once, now he is a barrister) who also told me that being a professional pianist would be a terribly undesirable career, even if one is a vastly successful pianist.

As it goes, it is usually said that do not turn a passion into a job or it turns into a chore. If you want to enjoy music how you want to enjoy it, then this would be my precaution.

I am of course not discouraging you from pursuing a career of music but I would just like to point out the flip side.

Hope you find this helpful

[oxy60]

I don't want to give the wrong impression above. My emphasis is on choosing the music major in a liberal arts college context, not entering a college of music in a university. The classmate I mentioned above was really exceptional, even as a freshman. His ability at that point was sufficient to give his senior recital right then.

The public's taste in music changes all the time along with how it values music education. It is wise to always have a fall back choice or two.

You will never know how your music knowledge will benefit your career. Only when you look back years later will you see the value.

[dee101]

Hey!

I'm a pure music graduate and I did the opposite to what is expected in my college(which is in Ireland btw), I transferred over from a double honours degree to a single honours in Music. I am hoping to train as a music teacher and try and reform the attitude to music education in Ireland later on in my career. But I do not regret, not to say that I don't ever think at times would I have been better off not switching, studying just music. When I came down to deciding where I wanted to have a career, I always knew music had to be a part of it. I'll never be a professional musician, I aspire only to be the best amateur one within my capabilities.  I took up piano when I fifteen and I'm still trying to finish my grades. It's tough work and tougher still when you're your only main support structure to get practise done.

So, my opinion, if you really want music as a career, try and figure what type of music career  you want and do everything you can to achieve your goals. But never lose sight why you wanted it in the first place. 

Just for me personal, I interested in the psychology of music area because music, through listening and now playing  has and still does helps me through really bad moments in my life.  But that's just me. 

[scott13]

If piano is your passion pursue it, it's that simple. You only live once so might as well spend as much of your time doing what you love.

[keyboardclass]

I am hoping to train as a music teacher and try and reform the attitude to music education in Ireland later on in my career.

Best of luck!  I'd go with the barrister idea.