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I'm not majoring in music at all (as of right now...things might change). I'm going towards Computer/Electrical Engineering, actually, mostly because I love working with science and math and it's a strong point of mine too.

However, I've been considering more and more lately my love of music and band in general. I feel I've matured a lot more, and while I'm no top player in an All-State band or what have you, I still have a passion and drive for music. I love performing, I love helping my high school program... it's great.

But, lately, aside from the clashing interests (and aside from already applying and getting accepted as an Engineering major), the biggest issue that pushes me away from being a Music major in general is definitely the money issue. The three main Music majors - Performance, Education, and Composition - all have their risks and commitments.

Performance - Risky in that it gives you certain limitations. It doesn't really matter whether you have a performance major or not; if you suck, you suck, and if you're good, you get a job. If you're incredible, you keep your job. While you could still make money teaching private lessons, unless you manage to get a steady gig going, financially, it's harder.

Education - Well, you probably have to do more in school. Education encompasses a little bit of everything, to my knowledge. You have to be well-rounded in your musical knowledge, and even a flute player has to know the basics about how a string bass works. Financial opportunities are more readily available, but not by much; with the budget crises everywhere, it's hard to get a band director position in many places. Music programs are the first to get CUT, after all, unfortunately. But, you could still teach private lessons, as well as tech. And you always have the opportunity to get a gig; heck, you might even be a better musician than a Performance major and score a better gig. Education just seems to have more financial opportunites.

Composition - You have to be good at what you do, you have to appeal to different crowds, and you have to sell your compositions. You still have the chance to do teching, gigs, and such, but if you're doing commission work, won't that take up a lot of time anyway?

These are just kind-of my insights on music major flaws that I've been considering lately. But at the same time, they're rewarding. If you love what you do, if you're passionate about it, and you strive to be the best player you can be, you can still go places with your Music Performance major. :] Best of luck~ heart

Actually you would be surprised at how much there is to do with music for instance

A person at my school is going to Berkley School of Music for music engineering

My next door neighbor was originally going to be an opera Singer but changed her major to Music Management, but she attend NYU

There is also Music Therapy which is increasing in popularity

The only problem is that most of these majors are only offered at Large schools with a good music program like NYU, or at music schools like Berkley

My advice is apply for every single scholarship you are able too chances are a couple of them you will be the only one so by default you get the money. One person from my school applied for a walmart scholarship and got like 1000$ a year because she was the only one for that particular walmart to apply

Worst comes to worst there are usually a few extremely hard to get spots open in military bands but the spots are really not easy to get.

Edit: and about the passionate thing I know what you mean I really don't want to do anything but music but I'm trying really hard to find something else so far I have come too being a Music Ed major with hopefully a minor in Organ/piano so I can go play at a church to have a job year round.

Or Music Ed major with a minor in Math so they can hire me to teach music but if they need me to I can teach Math

I'm currently a Music Ed major at college, so while I don't have personal knowledge of performance stuff, I do understand the fear of not getting a job.

One thing you might consider is getting a minor or double majoring in another field. That way, you'd have something to fall back on for finances if you can't get a job professionally. And you could always be a semi-professional while still working in an office somewhere. There are ways to keep playing even if you don't get an orchestra position.

Consider Education as a bachelors. If anything you'll have something to fall back on for sure if you don't get a performance job and it gives you the fundamentals to go through any music career.

I have plenty of friends who get their education bachelors and then continue with performance as a masters and doctorate, still landing top jobs.

In the end, think about it this way; Performing spots can go to anyone regardless of degree. A performance degree gives you pedagogy classes, harder material (that you can be doing regardless) and a piece of paper that says you can play. Pretty sure all the juries you'll have to pass will say you can play too...

I'm a Music Ed major, but I've seen a lot of performance degrees backfire...

I'm going to college in the fall as a Physical Science major with a minor in music. I'm terrified of not being able to support myself with a music degree, so I'm planning to lean on the science degree for financial needs. I wish I could do the music major, but I just feel like the money isn't there in this economy.