Conservatory or civil engineering ?

[Zen]

I'm struggling with this question for a year or so, but the time has come to decide. I know it's mine decision, but maybe some of you can give some advice. As a classical saxofonist I don't think the future is very bright but I love music, I live for it. On the other hand I'm almost certain of my future as a civil engineer.
Does anyone have some advice or own experience on this subject ?
Thanks

[sax_appeal]

As a 16 year old about to go to uni (hopefully) I was confronted with the exact same predicament. A few people were putting under quite a lot of pressure to choose civil engineering because it would pay better.

Like you however, playing saxophone is my passion, and ever since my involvement in a tattoo I've known that I really, really want to be involved in a marching/concert band. So I've chosen music. If music is your passion then I suggest you pursue a career in it as hard and as passionately as you can. (I'm a classical saxophonist too and I have absolutely NO REGRETS about my decision to play classical over jazz)

[HC]

You may look at music differently once all your money depends on it. Think about it.

[awholley]

And you may look at a technical career differently after 20 years of sitting in a gray cubicle answering to idiot customers and working for a company that would just as soon lay you off as train you. Meanwhile you are working on meaningless projects that neither challenge your intellect nor contribute anything useful to society -or worse, you could be assigned to projects that actually conflict with your values.

There's always tradeoffs. Pick one path, put your heart into it and make it work for you.

Good luck. Choose carefully.

Alan

[Adam]

Actually, I went through this same (similar) thing 15 years ago... I went to school (Cornell) for structural engineering. I graduated, then went to music school for a couple of years in NYC. I have been making a living playing music ever since with no regrets whatsoever...

HOWEVER, I have been playing jazz and more contemporary music... Trying to make a living playing classical saxophone I would think is next to impossible. I am pretty sure you can count the number of classical saxophonists who make a full time living playing music on one hand.

[sax_appeal]

I actually know quite a few saxophonists who have become fairly wealthy playing only classical saxophone.

Zen, have you made a decision regarding what you love (ie music) vs. what you will earn more with (civil engineering)? I'm sure applications for the conservatory have closed by now. It would be nice to hear what you have decided.

[Adam]

I actually know quite a few saxophonists who have become fairly wealthy playing only classical saxophone.
Oh really? Name me five...

I'm not trying to be overly harsh here, but I don't think you have a firm grip on the reality... Classical saxophone is a fish out of water in the classical world. The best one could hope for is a permanent orchestra position, which for saxophone, does not exist. That leaves you soloist positions. Now, whoever you came up with in your list has probably already got the one of the few gigs (a year) there are, so unless by the time you get out of school you are better than those guys (meaning one of the best performers in the world), don't plan on being wealthy any time soon (and even then, that probably won't be enough). Even the "name" guys have to teach to supplement their income. I'm afraid that a classical saxophone performance degree will only point you into a position to teach others classical saxophone...

[Sigmund451]

Nevermind this post. I think he went away. Maybe he's building a bridge somewhere.

[sax_appeal]

Most of those guys do teach, and teaching is not a 'supplement' it is a legitimite and worthwhile profession. One of those guys works at the conservatorium as a teacher, and one does have a position in an orchestra.