I'm just entering college and I want to pursue a career in music performance. Working with an orchestra would be my most favorite option. I've been playing the trombone for a year and a half. I've also had private lessons the whole time. I've been told I'm just wasting my time with this.
2007-06-27 08:05:01 · 11 answers · asked by outerheaven151 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
Your first job will be as a bus boy. Hopefully you will work your way into waiter then maitre de. If you are entering college with a year and a half of experience it is HIGHLY DOUBTFUL you can have a career playing professionally. Sorry.
2007-06-27 08:08:47 · answer #1 · answered by Who cares 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not to discourage you, but just be aware that the competition for professional orchestra jobs is VERY tough. There are way more amazing players in the world than there are jobs for them.
If you've only been playing for a year and a half, you should know that you'll be competing against performers who have been practicing for 8 hours a day, every day, since they were big enough to hold the instrument. They've all played in youth orchestra, high school all-state orchestras, gone to summer music camps and studied with _________, taken lessons from the principal trombonist of the _________ Philharmonic Orchestra, won concerto competitions at their conservatory (which they attended on scholarship), and have at least played in local community orchestras, and hopefully have subbed for larger orchestras.
While being a musician is NOT wasting your time, you need to be realistic about the slim possibility of making a career out of this, having had such a late start. Don't ever stop playing...but make sure you get a degree that will get you a day job.
[stepping on soapbox: and DON'T say, "well that's ok, I'll just be a music teacher, then." If you WANT to teach, great, do it. If you just want a job, then don't go into the teaching profession...the last thing our educational system need is teachers who would rather be doing something else.]
2007-06-28 10:28:27 · answer #2 · answered by Edik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hahahah, I think some of the others are a little over zealous. Don't worry, the trombone, it's not like you're trying to be a concert pianist. You'll do fine, I doubt you need a gazillion years and be training from age 3 for the trombone. Just keep practicing several hours a day.
Well, I think a good choice for performing and getting paid for it is by doing plenty of freelance work like taking on jobs with musicals for plays, some colleges' theatres are used in the summers for that sometimes.
But actually what I also want to get at is putting together a small 2 or more chamber group and performing at senior/ assisited living residences, alzheimer centers, etc,, they pay pretty good for an hour gig.
Taking on an along side teaching job would give you more peace of mind for steady work/schedules.
Basically, this is what most people do, perform and teach.
2007-06-28 03:54:40 · answer #3 · answered by gabuyt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree alot with what has been said. Some things I don't agree with. I have a bachelors in Music Education and I know something about being behind in the game and having the odds against you. I SUCKED going into college (saxophone), but I had serious determination and devoted my life at that time to practice. By the time I graduated, I was at the top of my studio. NEVER let anyone tell you that you don't have a chance or that you can't do it. If you want it bad enough, I guarantee you can! As for a teaching degree... please don't think this is the way out. Teaching is a rough business...I just completed my first year at a school, and it was the most draining year of my life. Don't do it unless you really, REALLY like teaching children. (most people don't even get a high school position after college) Something to consider is getting a teaching certificate and then teaching private lessons at a music store. But stay away from a classroom unless you really WANT to be in one. Business would be a good dual major with music performance, and would give you a better chance of a job out of college, and that sounds like what you want to do. In conclusion, if you love music and the trombone, go for it. Don't let anyone bring you down. Prove them wrong. =)
2007-06-27 19:13:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hedge your bets. Get a teaching certificate. I'm not saying that you will never be a performer, but even the very best performers teach. That certificate is what is going to keep you away from the whole busboy to Frito Lay sales rep scenario.
When you get a degree in performance, you are going to show up for an audition, where you have the same chance that everyone else has to get that position. The only difference is, they have been auditioning while you have been going to school. This is not to say that going to school is a waste of time IF, and I do mean IF, you focus on real world training. Audition and compete, every chance you get. Build a resume with local community groups or form your own. You don't have to focus on the money you get while you are in school, but you do want a wide range of experience in several disciplines (Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Opera, Ensembles etc.) so that when you walk in to that first audition you are:
1. Not unprepared
2. Have an edge on someone who did not get that wealth of knowledge.
In the meantime, in order to keep your career goals focused in the right direction, a teaching certificate will allow you to stay in the career field you are trying to break into. Teaching also helps you to prioritize and focus on basic skills that other musicians might otherwise neglect. Don't take my word for this. Ask as many professional musicians as you like. Hope this helps.
2007-06-27 15:36:06 · answer #5 · answered by MUDD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Playing in an orchestra is about it. A lot of behind the scenes jobs for arts organizations are filled by artists. Knowledge of the field is helpful, but isn't strictly necessary, and having a music degree won't put you on a direct path for such a job.
The problem isn't that there aren't jobs, rather that the number of jobs is very limited, and the number of people who want the jobs is huge.
If you're going to pursue music performance, you need to be very realistic about it. The vast majority of performance majors will not end up having a career performing. If they stay in the music biz at all, they usually end up becoming private teachers, either with their own studio or at a college or university. To get a teaching position at a university you will need at least a Masters degree, and likely a Doctorate.
As far as it being a waste of time? It's your time to do with as you please. I advise anyone going into performance to double major in something more practical. At the very least, double major in business.
2007-06-27 17:28:50 · answer #6 · answered by OMGWTFBBQ!!1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people say the performance degree is useless. Not true! However, it is a stepping stone for the higher degrees.
Right out of college, you will find jobs hard to come by. This is natural with just about every degree. It's a career, but you still have to be patient. I started with a performance path, but I switched to education so I wouldn't have to worry about becoming teacher certified.
If you want to be a performer, then stick with it. The best advice I can give you is to seek a Master's Degree when you finish with you Bachelor's. This will give you the added bonus of more musical experience and will make you more noteworthy as an addition into any ensemble you might want to be a part of. But do not be discouraged.
(Oh yeah, and you might want to get teacher certified. You may not want to teach, but it never hurts to be prepared. Trust me.)
2007-06-27 15:34:00 · answer #7 · answered by Kyle D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all - what college would TAKE you as a performance major, with so little preparation? You are already WAAAAYYYY behind a lot of other people of your age and interests. There are only about 10 orchestra in the US that are full-time employment - so you will need a Plan B in the BEST of circumstances - are you are not them now. I have been in the business since 1971 - trust me on this one.
2007-06-27 15:44:31 · answer #8 · answered by Mamianka 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether you reach your goal or not will depend on your determination. The college degree won't help you. Your determination to succeed will. You know how in a poker game they say "Jacks or better to open" Plan on at least 8 to 10 years of study just to get into the game. After that you'll have a choice about the type of jobs you may be able to get, and with a few more years of work (study) and more determination, you may be able to create your own job.
The primary factor in your success is you. Don't let anyone tell you you can't succeed!
2007-06-27 15:14:59 · answer #9 · answered by livemoreamply 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you only played a year and a half, and your trying to get a music major. i would get out. im considering either engineering or euphonium performance in college. and by the time i get into college i wouldve had 8 years of playing experience. and your degree doesnt even do much. its just about the training you get in college. the musical world judges you not by your musical education, but how well you play. musically techincally tone wise. etc
2007-06-27 17:35:51 · answer #10 · answered by trrew w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋