Out of the collective group of music geeks, there’s always the music geeks, and then there're the music geeks. You catch my drift, right? There’s the music geeks—music majors—and then there’s the music geeks, the doughy-eyed, bubbly, “I love music but could care less about understanding music theory!” kid who is a pain in the ass to all music majors and a hero-esque role model of sorts to non-majors.
…Wait. Is that just me?
I most definitely am not a music major, although I’m often categorized as one due to all the collegiate music courses I’m in (a cappella choir, chamber choir, and opera workshop.) I am a complete choir geek. I love Whitacre as much as the next second soprano (because let’s face it… Having each section splitting into four different parts within their own section and being the one soprano that has to pull her note out of thin air? Priceless.) I love rhythm and difficult time signatures and counting all the ta’s and tee-tee’s in the books. Weird facial gestures stretches? You got it. Weird, rhyming vocal warm ups? I’m there. And we can’t forget back massage Friday during warm ups…
But when it comes to actual music stuff—You lose me. Sound like you, or like that aforementioned annoying kid I described? (by the way, accurate depiction of me, save for the pain in the ass… I hope.) I most definitely am not a music major, and here are ten painfully obvious ways everyone can tell:
1. Practice is an option.
Music majors are constantly busy. Why? The dreaded P word—Practice. Just by taking a stroll down the practice room hallway, one can hear the various types of practicing going on. Just ask a music major about their schedule and they’ll reveal that nearly half of their school life is practicing music. Non-majors often have a hard time understanding the importance of practice… But, it really is true, kids: With practice comes perfection.
2. Solfege is something you pretend to understand.
Do re mi fa so la ti do… Let’s add hand signs! Where did these words come from? How should I know—I’m not a music major! I don’t understand what I’m singing, but I’m giving it energy and talent.
3. Music theory? LOL.
Music theory… Or, as I like to think of it, something that I’m constantly hearing and trying to understand. Parts of it make sense. 2 eighth notes in a quarter note? Easy enough… But what about a dotted eighth note? And in 12/8 time? As a second soprano? Can you explain that one more time, professor?
4. You still regard your professor as somebody who can do no wrong.
Many of my friends are music majors… And, let me tell you, I hear all about the less than fantastic sides of some of my favorite professors that they (apparently) show in their upper division music courses. Just like any class, the more you have a professor, the better you get to know them.
6. Concerts are no biggie.
Concerts schmoncerts, am I right?
…Just kidding. Every devoted musician should be prepared for concerts. Continue.
7. Any rhythm that isn’t in ¾, 4/4, or 6/8 is difficult for you to pick up naturally, and therefore difficult.
And no matter how many times you go over the rhythm, there’s still that one kid who can’t get it down. Oh well… With 50+ choir members, no one will hear them… Probably.
8. Soprano = melody… And when it doesn’t, it all goes downhill.
As a second soprano, I can tell you how hard it is to pick out harmony when you’re singing against the melody of the firsts. It’s also difficult as a second soprano when you’re used to singing melody all the time. What’s a girl to do? Refer to #1, and regard it as mandatory. 
