There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to the major of music. I can't even tell you how many people I've had look at me and say, "All you have to do is sing right? That's so easy. Anyone could do it." I won't lie, that's what I thought too originally. Since then, my thoughts have changed TREMENDOUSLY. It's not all fun and games, but it's also not as miserable as it sounds either. Here is what to expect if you are thinking of joining the small population of music majors:
1) Man, this major is harder than I thought.
As a Vocal Music Education major, I went into this thing thinking it would be a breeze because I've been involved in music since I was a little kid. I was either singing in many different honor choirs or taking piano lessons. Little did I know that when I entered into my sophomore year of college, I would be taking 8 classes and be learning so many foreign things.
However, here is my mind set, I love music. It's what I want to pursue in life so why not just stick it out for the next four years. I mean, how hard can it be, really?
2) Wait...how small is our population?
In the music program as a whole, we probably have about 200 students. Now that is a rough estimate but here is why I know we're hella small for a department at a university. Once a week we have a class called "Recital Hour." This is where everyone who is a music major (vocalists, instrumentalists, etc.) come together into one class and perform for each other. Yes, you read that correctly. I did say one class, as in there is only one section offered. Now, the hall we normally hold the class in seats 250 people and there hasn't been a class yet where every seat is filled.
3) Everyone knows everyone
With our population being so small, it's very easy to get to know everyone on a personal level, including the professors. Also, every class I have during the week is with the same group of people so you kind of become a family. During the first week of class, I noticed that my professors were taking at least 10 minutes for our class time to introduce ourselves. I thought, "Come on now, why are you wasting our time? We are going to remember each other after the semester ends." Come to find out, professors want to learn your name because you are most likely going to have them for many years to come, so why not get familiar with each other now?
4) Being a music major was my best decision ever.
For so long, I was told not to pursue a degree in music. People would tell me things like, "there are no well paying jobs in music," or, "Please, music isn't even a major. You have to get something in business or science if you want to succeed." Want to know the saddest part? I believed them. I believed them until I was failing my last semester in college as a biology major because I hated what I was doing. It wasn't my heartbeat; music was. As for money, I really believe that if you have a strong enough passion for something, you will find a way to make a living off of it. Plus, money has never really been a big factor for me anyway.
If you remember nothing else, remember this... follow your passion. You'll never regret it. Everyday I wake up, I'm actually excited to go to class because I know I'm learning about the one thing that keeps me going in this life.
Sometimes a major isn't JUST a major, sometimes it defines who you are as a person. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some rehearsing to do.
