If you didn't know already, a music major is almost as hard to complete as physics, engineering, computer science and anything of the like.
If you're considering becoming a music major in college, you should also consider these points:
1. You Will Not Have A Lot Of Free Time
In many majors, students tend to have a lot of free time because the demands on them are modest. Don't expect this when signing up for a music major. If you decide to take that route, just know that you're going to be out and about for the majority of the day.
2. Your Class Load Will Be Crazy
You will enroll in anywhere from 17 to 21 credit hours of classes/ensembles, and that doesn't mean just five three credit hour classes. It involves a lot more, including the required ensembles.
3. You Will Be Required To Show Up To A Lot Of Concerts
As mentioned in the last point, you are going to watch a lot of music. At my particular college, an undergraduate music degree requires attendance at 11 recitals per semester. What is 11 multiplied by eight semesters? 88! At some colleges, that number is even higher. You may be thinking "Oh, that's alright. I love music! Going to concerts shouldn't be that much of an issue." If that is your experience during your music degree, please shoot me an email because I would be dumbfounded!
4. You Will Practice All Day
"All day" might be a little dramatic, but it is not far from the truth. After attending all of your classes for the day, it's not time for a nap. It is practice time. Assuming your school of music pushes its students to become better musicians, your primary instrument professor will have high expectations of you each week and won't tolerate unpreparedness.
5. You Will Go On A Trip/Tour
This sounds awesome! You get to go play music with all your friends and do some sightseeing. However, you're missing a week of classes. You're missing a crucial lecture in music theory. You're missing a week of recitals that you could attend to fulfill that looming requirement. It all adds up!
6. You Will Be Stressed
The amount of stress that comes with a music degree is almost astronomical. Be prepared to find your happy place and wind down multiple times a day.
7. You Will Be Stereotyped
It seems that we, as humans, cannot get away from stereotyping people. Becoming a music major is no exception. The stereotype blanket people throw you under depends on which particular music major you choose. Regardless, none of them are fun. If you have never had anyone blatantly stereotype you to your face, get ready for it!
8. You'll Be Late To/Miss Something
Just when you thought you had your hectic schedule figured out, you sleep through a meeting that demanded your presence. That is 100% okay! If that happens (which it will), you just tell the appropriate person you're sorry and that it won't happen again. Easy as that. (and, of course, don't do it again!)
9. There Will Be People Who Are Better Than You
No matter where you go, there will be someone who is better than you at the same thing you do. It is your duty only to make sure that you are working every day to become better than them, and also to compare yourself only to yourself. That is where you'll find true progress.
Do not, I repeat, do not let any of these things deter you from pursuing a music degree. Believe me, there were many times during my freshman year where I considered taking the easy road and switching to something less demanding of me. I persevered, and I am better for it. The rewards of finishing a music degree are far more than the rewards of many other degrees. Not only do you have the privilege of getting a college degree, but you also get the satisfaction of doing something with music FOR A LIVING!
