Careers in music

[Jacey1973]

I am about to graduate in June with a music degree yet i don't really have a clear idea of what i want to do afterwards.

Out of interest i was wondering what kinds of careers in music do people on this board have? What are the options? I am particualry interested in teaching and performing. I will probably get round to doing a masters degree (in something like performance studies or performance practise) the year after next.

[sonatainfsharp]

What are is your music degree? Is it 2 or 4 years? Is it a B.M. or a B.A.?

I have a B.M. in Piano Pedagogy and will be starting my Master's soon. You can certainly teach with any music degree, but it depends on the employer if you need a B.M. or a B.A. Sometimes a B.A. isn't considered a degree at all. Sometimes a B.M. can get you into anything, which can be hazzardous if you aren't qualified for a specific dicilpline.

[Jacey1973]

My degree is a BMus, i think you can do a BA in my department but it's a joint honours so you do e.g Music with English Literature. I've concentrated on solely music, never been as passionate about any other subject!

[pocorina]

Well, like you, I want to go into performance and teaching (I already teach and perform now, but one cannot charge so much when one is not highly qualified).

It's a good idea to get an agent, who will find you work. Advertise a lot, and make sure everyone knows who you are, or else nobody will book you. It can be hard to find students if you live in/near to a conservatoire because there are so many other people teaching.

Also, have you thought about examining? (In the long term). I'm interested in doing this.

On the other hand, I almost want to stay a student forever, and take a PhD, etc etc. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there! LOL

[march05]

[edit]

[Jacey1973]

Also, have you thought about examining? (In the long term). I'm interested in doing this.

Yeah i considered examining (one of my ex-piano teachers - not a very good teacher i'm afraid - is an examiner for the ABRSM, and he was saying you can do courses through the ABRSM. He's travelled abroad etc and taught other teachers how to examine round the UK. Which doesn't sound such a bad idea, just a shame he was a very uninspiring teacher, i hope he's a better examiner!)

On the other hand, I almost want to stay a student forever, and take a PhD, etc etc. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there! LOL

Hehe tell me about it! That's exactly like me. If i had the money i think i would just study for everything possible and never get a proper job!

Thankyou all for ideas!

[anda]

just make sure you know exactly what suites you - each career implies a certain lifestyle, and you have to take into consideration the fact the you might think you would love doing this or that and find out later that it doesn't suit you.
(actually this was my case - i always dreamed about a solo performing career, and now i'm glad i realized (before it was too late) that the lifestyle would have destroyed me if i had chosen that)

best luck