Music major needs advice!

[sairose]

I am an INstrumental Music Education major. I have been playing saxophone for 12 years now, and it's my life...I love it, and I practice at least 2-3 hours a day. Yes, I take it VERY seriously.

I chose Music Ed because when I came here, I thought that musically, it was all I was good enough to do. When I was first here in 2000 I wasn't very good because of a sucky high school director, and then got stuck with this mean teacher.

Then Dr. Carroll came last fall. He's the most amazing professor I have EVER studied with. He's so energetic and caring and through him I have really soared. He's the first music teacher I've had to believe in my abilities.

Since I've been here, I've improved dramatically and now play really hard works. I am 2nd chair in the top university ensemble, I also play lead in one of the jazz bands, and I'm in the ASU Saxophone Quartet. I will admit that I am a very accomplished musician.

Recently, I was a featured performer for the SCI Conference (Society of Composers International), which was a huge deal. Composers, performers, and professors from all over the country were there. There were lots of breaks between concerts during this 3-day conference to talk with everyone, and I had saxophone professors asking me where I was going to grad school and encouraging me to come study with them and stuff. I was shocked. Before then, grad school just wasn't ever presented as an option for me. I thought I wasn't good enough...but I guess that I was wrong.

And the more I think about it...as a high school band director, I would never get to perform again. That makes me incredibly sad. But being a performer is too unsteady of a career. Being a professor of saxophone would be ideal, but I don't know. I just can't figure out what to do. All during college I thought I knew exactly what I was going to do...and now, I don't know!

Advice anyone???

[Senusret I]

FOLLOW YOUR HEART!!!!

I am a writer and I had to make some tough choices when I graduated from college. I am living a life that is a lot less consistent than I ever thought, but I am incredibly happy because I have given myself the time to be a serious writer (seeking literary agents and all the work that goes into that).

I know that all of my work will pay off....and I know yours will, too. Don't get stuck someplace just because you need "stability"....take your twenties to live dangerously! Be the musician that you were born to be!

[Not a Mezzo]

Oh, honey....I am in the same boat as you! Perhaps not as accomplished but I do get to sing around a bit.

I majored in music ed because my father was worried what would happen to me if I didn't have "something to fall back on." I'll be finished with this degree in one year, and I'm on an out-of-state scholarship which will expire then. I can't do anything but go forward.

But once I have this degree, there's nothing to stop me from going on and getting my MM in performance. There's nothing to stop you, either. You used the word "soar" in your description of your music and how you have gone along with it. It seems as if you had an immense desire to make music waiting inside you, just waiting for one professor with the heart to see it. Why deny that?

As my ed professor, Dr. Nolker, says, "You are not there in front of the kids to satisfy your musical desires; you are there to provide them with a satisfying musical experience." For some, that's all they want. For others, this is a second-hand way of existing. Not to talk down education, because it's a fine and noble path. But it's not the path for me. It doesn't seem like the path for you, either.

Why not take a look at some of those programs you were offered at the conference? Maybe seeing what else is out there, now that this avenue has been brought to your attention, will help you make up your mind.

Sorry about the novella-length reply....just I saw your topic on the front page, and all of my own arguments, doubts, and desires came a-rushin' up to the surface. I hope for the best for you, and I want to hear about your decision when you make it!

[pman233]

Rose -

Where to begin...

First off, where is "Here"?

Being an Instrumental eduacation major, it is usually assumed the next stop will be a high school somewhere. Although logical, this is a faulty assumption. When we get down to it, it means at some point, somewhere, you will be a teacher. Why not set your sights a little higher?

Think about what you just wrote:

- Playing for 12 years.
- You succeeded IN SPITE of your educators.
- The person who influenced your career choice the most was an amazing College Professor.

You survived high school by will. Think of how many kids you were in band with were there by someone elses doing; parents living vicariously through their kids "talent." People who continue to play throughout their college careers do so because of their sheer love of music. The slackers have been weeded out, and all that remains are the cream of the crop, and diamonds in the rough. Personally, these are the people I would prefer to teach.

At this point, the world is your oyster. If you are as good as your dossier sounds, getting into a QUALITY grad school should not be that hard. At current time, Michigan State is probably the best program in the country for what we are talking about. Score your MEd. If you want to teach AND play, look for a faculty position at a smaller school, where faculty recitals fill the programming void, and side gigs are abundant. If you hit the right school, a PhD might not even be necessary, or could be backburnered as a later goal.

WHATEVER YOU DO, do NOT take the easy way out and becone a Performance major!!! That and $1.00 will buy you a Double Cheeseburger at Mickey D's. Good players will always be found, with or without proper credentials. I have been playing a pro circuit since 14. I was a part of 4 different colleges music programs by 16. And no, I was not music major. I was just good, and people found me. The same will happen for you.

I hope this helped some. I wish you the best of luck, and PM me if you have any questions or just want to chat.

Sincerely,

Mike

[AlphaGam1019]

Most educators perform on the side.

What options are you looking at?

I even dropped out of a top music conservatory because of that very fear of "performing is not stable of a career." I don't regret quitting though- I knew I didn't have the same mindset as other conservatory students. I did not live, breathe, eat music. I shoulda picked IU. (an easier escape)

If you're going to be very unhappy as an educator- it might be in everyone's benefit for you to choose something you'd be happy with. I've witnessed middle school/high school music teachers who were very unhappy because they didn't choose (whether by choice, or otherwise) another profession.

[PsychTau]

Rick Dimond was a professor at HSU (don't think he's still there). In the past year I've seen him perform with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, a church ensemble at my church (where I don't think he attends, just performs as needed), and teach lessons. I know he's performing other places that I haven't run across yet. He's been all over the place.

If you want to do it, it will happen. Arkansas is the land of Band Directors who think that's all there is...I seem to have gone to school with a million of them! Get out of this state and go do something different. You can do it.

If you do what you love, the money will follow.

Good Luck,
PsychTau

[UKDaisy]

My friend plays saxophone and he went through the same dilemma. But his professor (Miles Oslond (mispelled) ) told him "i didn't know what to do either..... but i choose being a sax teacher, b/c now i can play and teach and look where i am".... he ended up pretty well off.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART!!!!

[Kevin]

I know plenty of band/orchestra directors that are able to perform and teach private lessons on the side.

You'll be fine

Music Ed is a tough as heck degree to get (well at least you have to get tons of hours). I don't envy you there

I chose the easy way. I perform sometimes still but was a comm major. I see no reason why you can't do both.

[sairose]

I appreciate everyone's advice. It's just really difficult right now because just going to grad school didn't even become an option until about a month ago.

Most band directors I know rarely, if ever, perform. There's just no opportunities for it. I can't give the performing aspect up. I love it. If I taught saxophone at the college level, I could have it all: I could teach AND still get to perform and teach an age group that appeals to me the most.

It's funny because I know in my heart that this is what I should do with my life. So why can't I convince myself to just do it?

I'm not graduating for 2 more years. Yeah, 6 years total for a bachelors degree. Anyone that has ever been or known a music major can understand. There's a zillion classes to take, and the more advanced you get as a musician, the more ensembles you end up in. Haha, right now I'm in *6*: Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Orchestra, 2 choirs, and Saxophone Quartet.

Anyhoo, I really appreciate all the advice. It's helping me tremendously!

[sairose]

Just wanted to add a few updates.

I talked to Dr. Carroll today (the sax teacher I spoke of in the original post) for a good hour. He asked me what I would like to do musically, and I said teach, but I didn't know what level. He actually recommended a masters' degree in Saxophone and do what he does, which I think ideally would be my dream job. When I put things in perspective...I really think that's where my heart is leading me.

I LOVE to teach. It's just that the thought of teaching jr high or high school...I'm just not sure that's where I should be.

Also, he told me something that really made me feel better, really made me think:

"We're called human beings, not human doings. We don't DO; we BE. Maybe you don't have all the answers right now, and you can't know by tomorrow what you want to do for the rest of your life. Until then...just BE."

It helped me a lot. I know now that things will fall into place when the time comes. Until then, I don't have to make any major decisions.

Thank you guys so much for all your kind words. Thank you for giving me the courage to talk it out with Dr. Carroll. I'm feeling about 110% better than I did when I started this thread.

[aphigirly]

i'm glad you talked to your teacher....but i'd thought i would put in a couple of more thoughts

you're young.....you dont have to teach NOW....you can teach later if you want to explore the performing more

i would recommend going to graduate school

also teaching highschool band might not be that bad if you teach at the right kind of highschool.

i played the flute in both highschool and college. i went to Enloe highschool here in Raleigh which is a well known magnet highschool in north carolina. my teacher mr jenner (though a complete jerk at times) was one of the best directors i have ever played under. he really knew how to get the best out of his students. the students i played with were also some of the most talented muscians i have ever played with in my entire life, a lot of which have gone on to be music majors

college however, was a complete nightmare. since i go to NCSU which is mainly the ag and engineering school in NC, it didnt have much for a music department. my director was completely incompetent, and i was one of the better flute players there (which really really really isnt saying much). we played songs that i actually played in the 8th grade. and i just got so fed up with it that I stopped out of doing band after my freshman year in college.

Point: dont necessarily write off all highschool programs, and dont automatically assume that any college teaching job is a good one