[myeverything]

I know I posted before about college majors but I still have a few questions. I am trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with my music in college and I don't fully understand the different programs/degrees. I plan to major in elementary education and either double major in something in music or minor in it. Now for the questions:

1. What is a bachelor of arts (music) and a bachelor of music? Is this something different from a music major or a specific music major like education?
2. At most colleges do they put music major and music minors on the same judging level for ensembles and stuff or do they get looked at differently? (does this make sense)
3. Does anybody know if there are careers out there for music therapy? Also if you major in music therapy do you still have performance/ensemble/lesson requirements, bascially will i still play or will i just learn in a classroom?

Any help would be much apperciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[renaissance_man]

1. A bachelor of arts (BA) with a concentration in music is exactly that: a lot of general arts-related study with more emphasis being placed on music. A bachelor of music (BM) is mostly music with the global requirements (math, English, science, etc.) still being fulfilled throughout. The BM is the result of a major in music - i.e., they're the same thing. Within the music major, most programs offer sub-concentrations like performance, education, and (if you're lucky) jazz performance/jazz studies.
2. I can't speak for anywhere else, but at least at UNCG, music majors and music minors are all eligible for the same ensembles, if that's what you're asking. I'm pretty sure that's standard procedure.
3. I'm sure that there are, with enough luck in finding them. From what I can tell, any program described as a major in music is going to require performance, lessons, and the like. It just comes with the territory. However, I've never heard of a music therapy major. To enter that field, I would think that you would just need a music degree.

Hope that helps.

 

[saxman_aja]

There are a lot of very fine Music Therapy programs throughout the country. You take all lessons, general music classes, and ensembles required of other majors, and you also end up taking a lot of pyschology, music behaviour, and music therapy clinical classes. In the end, you'll take a national test, and, if you're certified, you'll become an MT-BC (Music Therapist, Board Certified). Yes, it's a real career, and music therapists do a lot of good. Many hospitals employ music therapists, and some go in private practice. You would help terminally ill patients (participation in music reduces pain), Alzheimer's patients (participation in music helps them hold on to their memories longer, and makes their lives more enjoyable), and you'd work with children with learning disabilities (it helps children focus and learn to communicate with others more effectively). There are also positions for music therapists in larger public school districts. It's a great, extraordinarily worthwhile profession. I almost entered into it myself. If you have any sort of inkling that you'd like to pursue it, I'd encourage you. I have several friends who are currently working as therapists. If that's what you want to do, go for it.

 

[gearaholic]

I'll speak to my experience with these degrees:
B.A. in Music: Designed for those interested in the academic side of music (History, Theory, etc.)
B.M. in Performance: Designed for those ready to go straight into the performing world, or who plan to go to graduate school to continue performance training.
B.M. in Education: Designed for those who plan to teach music with a Bachelor Degree (Basically at the K-12 level)

If you're a saxophonist, IMO there's no reason to go performance unless you plan on attending graduate school, because we can't get a job with a Symphony. Unless you're the next Delangle or whoever, you won't be getting much work as a soloist. So, you've basically got a useless degree.
I would recommend Education emphasis at the undergrad level for two reasons: 1) If you don't go to grad school for whatever reason (don't want to, too expensive, can't get in, life's little surprises, etc.), you're already certified to teach once you graduate, so you can get a job with benefits. This is also a good way to set up In-State residency for a grad school you want to attend (teach for a year or 2, then go). 2) I had a link, but can't seem to find it, for a symposium conducted by major saxophonists and university personnel people, to decide what criteria universities were looking for in College saxophone professors. Generally, they came to the conclusion that the best course is Undergrad in Education, with Graduate degrees in Performance. In the competitive market today, you want to look as good as you can on paper.

Of course, if you're interested in the music academia world, there's the B.A. option. And then a number of schools have Composition, Jazz Studies, and other emphases available for undergrads, depending on what you want to do. I don't know anything about the therapy side.

--JT

 

[Saxmusiclover]

There are a lot of very fine Music Therapy programs throughout the country. You take all lessons, general music classes, and ensembles required of other majors, and you also end up taking a lot of pyschology, music behaviour, and music therapy clinical classes. In the end, you'll take a national test, and, if you're certified, you'll become an MT-BC (Music Therapist, Board Certified). Yes, it's a real career, and music therapists do a lot of good. Many hospitals employ music therapists, and some go in private practice. You would help terminally ill patients (participation in music reduces pain), Alzheimer's patients (participation in music helps them hold on to their memories longer, and makes their lives more enjoyable), and you'd work with children with learning disabilities (it helps children focus and learn to communicate with others more effectively). There are also positions for music therapists in larger public school districts. It's a great, extraordinarily worthwhile profession. I almost entered into it myself. If you have any sort of inkling that you'd like to pursue it, I'd encourage you. I have several friends who are currently working as therapists. If that's what you want to do, go for it.

saxman, this sounds very interesting. I would imagine music theraphy can also be used for healthy people who are under stress.
My question is: for someone who is in mid-career, with no musical degrees, but with some musical experience and training, what would the best way to get into this field with a view to shifting careers eventually?
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

Ben