As someone who plans on majoring in music performance in college, what should I minor or double major in?
I am well aware of the fact that its going to be a struggle once I get into the world as a musician, so I am exploring other options to do in addition to music performance. Ideally, I would like to do something that is somehow connected to music, like audio engineering etc, but I wanted to see if anyone had any advice.
#music #music-performance #college-major #majors #college-majors #choosing-a-major #college-minor #majors-and-minors #music-education #audio-engineering
4 answers
Melvin’s Answer
Andy’s Answer
I double majored in music and actuarial science when I was in college and ended up going the actuarial route for a career, with music being a serious hobby. But your idea of audio engineering sounds better! I think it’s totally feasible to major in music and some engineering major related to audio engineering job. You will take on a bigger course load as a result, but if you can get out of taking a lot of gen ed courses, that will help with that. Good luck!
Kela’s Answer
You're right that music isn't any easy profession, but if it is your passion, you should follow it with a laser focus. Music requires long-term commitment and willingness to stick with it even when you're not getting much reward for it. Audio engineering is a good minor because it will compliment your experience in music and perspective on how you want to sound as a performer, and how you think about music in a broader sense. However, other minors that could potentially compliment it would be communications, business, or engineering (depending on how technical/scientifically oriented you are. Sometimes audio engineers have actual engineering degrees, and that adds a whole other dimension to their perspective in the studio).
I know many, many musicians who are performers and who also have a primary career as an audio engineer. There is a ton of overlap between them and it is a great choice!
Best of luck!
Dave’s Answer
What else interests you or what other skills would provide the lifestyle that supports you (music is often not so high paying)? For example, You'll have to be able to navigate your taxes as a musician, with write offs and expenses balanced against your income - why not get an accounting degree? Think outside the box!
Good luck!