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I am interested in both English writing and Music, but I am worried a double major might overwhelm me. Is it better to do a double major with the benefit of having two bachelor's degrees or just get a minor?
I plan on going to UC Irvine in the fall, and my main reservation with getting a music minor is not having an official music degree, and I worry this could lower my chances of playing in a professional orchestra.
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4 answers
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Saint’s Answer
Hey Nailah!
It’s understandable to feel torn between English writing and music, especially when considering the workload of a double major. A double major can be rewarding but demanding, so if you’re passionate about both fields, it could be worth the challenge. However, it might limit your ability to participate in other enriching experiences.
A music minor is a great way to pursue your music interests without overloading yourself, while still focusing on English. For professional orchestra work, experience and performance skills often matter more than a degree. If you start with a minor and find you need more, you can always pursue further music studies later.
What matters most is knowing that balance is key. Starting with a minor allows flexibility to explore both passions without overwhelming yourself. You’ve got options, so choose the path that feels right for you!
Good luck!
Saint
It’s understandable to feel torn between English writing and music, especially when considering the workload of a double major. A double major can be rewarding but demanding, so if you’re passionate about both fields, it could be worth the challenge. However, it might limit your ability to participate in other enriching experiences.
A music minor is a great way to pursue your music interests without overloading yourself, while still focusing on English. For professional orchestra work, experience and performance skills often matter more than a degree. If you start with a minor and find you need more, you can always pursue further music studies later.
What matters most is knowing that balance is key. Starting with a minor allows flexibility to explore both passions without overwhelming yourself. You’ve got options, so choose the path that feels right for you!
Good luck!
Saint
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi!
Playing in a professional orchestra is highly competitive. If performing in a professional orchestra is your goal I recommend focusing on music specifically. You'll want to be thinking about attending summer intensive courses / camps, performing in masterclasses, and other opportunities. I'm not sure which instrument you play, but consider looking at New World Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, Aspen, etc.).
Also, look at your college general education requirements and the available English classes and consider prioritizing those your Freshman and Sophomore year. While I was pursuing my BME I considered minoring in English literature because there were literature classes that qualified for several different general education credits. This kind of exposure could help you decide what's possible, what you truly enjoy, and what you see doing for a career.
Good luck!
Playing in a professional orchestra is highly competitive. If performing in a professional orchestra is your goal I recommend focusing on music specifically. You'll want to be thinking about attending summer intensive courses / camps, performing in masterclasses, and other opportunities. I'm not sure which instrument you play, but consider looking at New World Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, Aspen, etc.).
Also, look at your college general education requirements and the available English classes and consider prioritizing those your Freshman and Sophomore year. While I was pursuing my BME I considered minoring in English literature because there were literature classes that qualified for several different general education credits. This kind of exposure could help you decide what's possible, what you truly enjoy, and what you see doing for a career.
Good luck!
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
I'll keep my response straightforward, drawing from my own experience:
Double majoring can be very demanding, especially in two disciplines that both require significant time and practice like English and Music. For many performers—myself included—the degree itself matters far less than your skill, artistry, and network. In most professional orchestral settings, auditions are blind. They won't see your resume or even your face; it's about how you play in that moment.
That said, some areas of the music world (like academic or administrative paths) may value having a formal music degree. If your ultimate goal is strictly performance, a music minor can still give you ensemble access, private lessons, and connections without overwhelming your schedule. Many musicians succeed this way.
If you find that music is truly your passion, you might consider majoring in it and trusting that your writing skills can still flourish on the side or as a minor. Or vice versa—many writers still maintain active performing careers outside their primary job.
Someone once told me: "Pick the path you want to succeed in most. You can always stay connected to the other, but your primary path deserves your full focus." That advice helped me, but your journey might need a slightly different balance.
Best of luck at UC Irvine!
Double majoring can be very demanding, especially in two disciplines that both require significant time and practice like English and Music. For many performers—myself included—the degree itself matters far less than your skill, artistry, and network. In most professional orchestral settings, auditions are blind. They won't see your resume or even your face; it's about how you play in that moment.
That said, some areas of the music world (like academic or administrative paths) may value having a formal music degree. If your ultimate goal is strictly performance, a music minor can still give you ensemble access, private lessons, and connections without overwhelming your schedule. Many musicians succeed this way.
If you find that music is truly your passion, you might consider majoring in it and trusting that your writing skills can still flourish on the side or as a minor. Or vice versa—many writers still maintain active performing careers outside their primary job.
Someone once told me: "Pick the path you want to succeed in most. You can always stay connected to the other, but your primary path deserves your full focus." That advice helped me, but your journey might need a slightly different balance.
Best of luck at UC Irvine!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nailah !
You are so right ! I am happy to see that you have great insight on this already !
You are correct, you need to Major in Music and obtain your Bachelors Degree in Music. Seeing as how busy your music major will keep you, you do not need to minor in anything. I definitely advise not double majoring. You do not need a Degree in English because you can take some elective creative writing courses at Irvine as well as free online classes in writing online - when you have free time. A college writing course may even fulfill a general education requirement.
Keep in mind that you will be having classroom lectures, performances on and off campus and double majoring will be very distracting and be very time consuming and tiring, besides costing more financially when it's not expected and will not be required to audition or obtain work in an orchestra. Focus on your music degree and your performances, attending concerts and shows, networking all in the music community. There are just too many reasons to not double major.
Since your two interests would be considered under the School of Arts and Humanities, if you double majored, you'd get one diploma that says you have a Bachelors Degree in Music and English. The only way you get 2 physical diplomas at a UC is if you get a Bachelor of Arts in one subject and a Bachelor of Science in another subject in the sciences. Employers never ask for this, though. They want someone who is an expert in music if you're aiming for a Music career. And like I mentioned, you can do independent writing studies and even take a couple of courses in college. English will be one required course you'll have to take anyway.
Take my advice and plan on not double majoring. You don't need that kind of challenge as a music major. It's time and work load commitment consuming, financially more expensive because you'll have to pay for each unit/credit you take, you'll have an imbalanced course load, and the two majors may not completely align or benefit you after you graduate. Do not worry, you will always be able to write whether or not you get a degree in it.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
You are so right ! I am happy to see that you have great insight on this already !
You are correct, you need to Major in Music and obtain your Bachelors Degree in Music. Seeing as how busy your music major will keep you, you do not need to minor in anything. I definitely advise not double majoring. You do not need a Degree in English because you can take some elective creative writing courses at Irvine as well as free online classes in writing online - when you have free time. A college writing course may even fulfill a general education requirement.
Keep in mind that you will be having classroom lectures, performances on and off campus and double majoring will be very distracting and be very time consuming and tiring, besides costing more financially when it's not expected and will not be required to audition or obtain work in an orchestra. Focus on your music degree and your performances, attending concerts and shows, networking all in the music community. There are just too many reasons to not double major.
Since your two interests would be considered under the School of Arts and Humanities, if you double majored, you'd get one diploma that says you have a Bachelors Degree in Music and English. The only way you get 2 physical diplomas at a UC is if you get a Bachelor of Arts in one subject and a Bachelor of Science in another subject in the sciences. Employers never ask for this, though. They want someone who is an expert in music if you're aiming for a Music career. And like I mentioned, you can do independent writing studies and even take a couple of courses in college. English will be one required course you'll have to take anyway.
Take my advice and plan on not double majoring. You don't need that kind of challenge as a music major. It's time and work load commitment consuming, financially more expensive because you'll have to pay for each unit/credit you take, you'll have an imbalanced course load, and the two majors may not completely align or benefit you after you graduate. Do not worry, you will always be able to write whether or not you get a degree in it.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !