SO, YOU (MIGHT) WANT TO BE A MUSIC MAJOR!!!

WHAT DIRECTION DO YOU WANT TO GO? Education Performance Technology Business Therapy Instrument choice Vocal String Wind Percussion Piano

SOME AVAILABLE MAJORS…. Music Education Jazz Studies B.A. in Music Music Performance Music Therapy Music Technology Music Theory Music Business Electronic Production and Design Film Scoring Music Composition Music History Music Production and Engineering Songwriting

LOCATION Do you want to be in the city? Do you want to have playing opportunities in the community? Do you want to be around a lot of people or not many? In state versus out of state What other activities do you want to do when at school? Hiking Skiing/snowboarding Climbing Museums Beach Scenery

SCHOOL SIZE/DEPARTMENT SIZE How big do you want the school to be? How large would you like your campus to be? How large would you like general education classes to be? How large would you like your music classes to be? Department size versus School size Studio size – how many other students on your instrument would you like to be around? If a department is too small, not as many opportunities Are you someone who worries about getting lost in the masses?

SOME MORE TO THINK ABOUT… Will the school you are look at allow a double major? How many playing opportunities will you get? As a music ed major, what opportunities will you have to student teach and observe? Instrument choice – if you play more than one, how do you choose? Goals for the future – what do you want to be doing with this degree? Are you playing the way you think you should be, or is it time to really focus?

PREPARING IN ADVANCE Importance of private lessons Taking the right classes in high school Marching Band Concert Band Orchestra Jazz Piano class Beginning Theory AP Music Theory Summer music opportunities Playing opportunities Quality of instrument Visiting colleges – take tours Meet students – ask questions Meet professors – ask for lessons When visiting schools, ask if you can sit in on ensembles Get audition material ASAP Compare audition material form college to college Work on a practice schedule before going to college Ask for help - Flynn, Mrs. Cornelio, Mrs. Newcomb Rank the schools – dream, reality, safety Advocate for yourself – don’t be afraid to contact schools and ask questions

BACHELOR OF MUSIC VS. BACHELOR OF ARTS the BA has less music specific required credits, and more liberal arts requirement, elective options the BM is very music heavy creditwise, and contains few required liberal arts or non music specific degree requirements. In general, between the three, the BM has less room (read as time) in the courseload to allow for electives, be they music or non music options. For music, ensemble and methods courses can be likened to labs, practicums in the science and other disciplines BMs will have increasing levels of theory, music history, discipline specific ipos, ensemble participation over a BA and may include a pretty fair number of 1 and 2 credit courses, often more time intensive than a 3 credit survey course Information from: understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=BA+vs+BFA

UNIVERSITY VS. CONSERVATORY Q: What is the difference between a conservatory and a regular college or university? A: Conservatories are small schools that offer programs addressing a very specific area of study--in our case, music--with an intensely focused curriculum. Although undergraduate students have liberal arts requirements in most music conservatories, the rest of the coursework and graduation requirements are centered on music. Major emphases are placed on students' private weekly lessons with their assigned faculty member and opportunities for performance. Conservatories are most appropriate for students who are quite focused on performance or composition as a career. Colleges and universities, on the other hand, offer a much broader range of programs and majors and may require additional general education courses as part of their curriculum.

GETTING THE PROCESS GOING – THE APPLICATION Depending on the college, a complete application may include any or all of the following:  The application itself…usually on line (institutional app vs. common app)  Application fee  Essay (s)  Recommendation (s)  Official high school transcript  ACT and/or SAT test scores (often directly from testing agencies)  Interview/portfolio/audition

SCHOLARSHIPS: WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR? GPA, Class Rank, Choice of Courses, Test Scores Strength of Resume (quality not necessarily quantity) leadership, service, athletics, arts Essay (to help in the development of essays, think about journaling esp. during big events/service projects, etc). Applying to colleges where you are above their minimum standards (ie: you become the “big fish” in the pond ) Begin to explore scholarship criteria (go to: College website, Financial Aid Link, Scholarship Link).

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING IN HIGH SCHOOL? Keep your grades up! Take challenging courses. Get involved in activities and sports. Get to know your teachers and counselors. Volunteer. Be a leader. Take proper tests. Stay out of trouble. Plan ahead and be aware of deadlines. Pay attention!

USEFUL RESOURCES College Board – lots of ways to search for majors and colleges National Education for Music Education College Confidential Naviance