I have been asked this question more times than I would like to admit. I’ll wear a G Clef necklace to work, and customers will ask me where in music I specialize. I’ll mention that I play in flute choir and pep band, and, when I say I want to teach, people apologize that I may have to teach third graders how to play recorder.

I’m flattered. Truly, I am. I have played flute for 11 years now, and I still enjoy playing at any opportunity I can. I have a lot of respect for people who major in music because of the amount of discipline they have. Their time management skills are incredible because they balance class, work, homework, lessons, ensembles, individual practice, and sleep without dying of exhaustion. I know that I would not be able to commit so much time to music, even though I adore playing.

With that being stated, I make sure that I always keep music a part of my life.

My friends laugh at the arsenal of classical pieces I have ready to go if we need background study music, but I just use them as a nice reminder of my time in symphonic band in high school.

I went out of my way to find musical ensembles that are available to all majors. I found flute choir and pep band, and no matter what mood I’m in, going to those rehearsals and performances never fails to cheer me up.

I still aim to keep music a large part of my life because it truly shaped who I am. Music education is important. The least that I can do is show my appreciation by showing the world I am a musician.

If you are a music major, I applaud you for what you do. You are dedicating your life to show your musicianship. You are hoping to shape current and future generations to have an appreciation of music. Thank you for doing what you do to create students like me who love playing flute, listening to Spotify and going to concerts.

If you are like me, please keep music in your life. You are not only interested in music: you are a musician. You understand the world through a creative, artistic, beautiful point of view. Everything that you are going to do will have a certain flair. You have a different kind of appreciation for beauty than non-musicians. Please, don’t change the fact that you are a musician.

Pull out your instrument and play through a few scales. See what songs you can remember from high school marching band. If you’re a student, check with your school to see what musical activities you can take part in without being a music major; you’ll be surprised what you can find. Go to football games and appreciate the marching band. Pull up some of your favorite songs on YouTube and sing or play along. Even if you end up just singing in the shower, you’re keeping your musicianship an integral part of your life