My daughter is a junior in HS, and wants to play flute professionally. Does she need a Music Major?

Question

She is interested in playing flute for plays, concerts, bands, ect. I don't think that she needs a Music Major for that, but I am not sure. I hate to say it, but I am really, really worried about her going into student loan debt for a major like Music. I am afraid that she will graduate with a lot of debt and be unable to make a living playing music.

I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has played the flute professionally. She know there is a lot of competition in flute. She did make county honor band, so she can play well.

Answer 1

You don't need a degree at all to play professionally, you just have to be really good (much better than 'all county band'). However, most people get really good by studying in college.

Some things about playing for a living - hope it's helpful a little:

Playing in plays (theater) is called a "pit gig" and it pays very well. There's not a "flute player" in the pit - it's a woodwind player who also plays sax and clarinet very well. Adding oboe and english horn is not uncommon.

There is only one place that there are professional (you get paid) bands and that is in the military. Even the circus doesn't use live bands anymore. I played in the Army and it was great. But remember, that's the only place you'll find a pro band with any frequency.

Orchestra - great gig. Each orchestra in the county as 2-3 flute players. It's really really really tough competition.

Studio musicians - if you live in the right town, money can be made playing for recordings and commercials. The money is very good. Players are expected to be doublers (see pit orchestra above) and to be very good readers.

Freelance -- there is some serious money to be made playing weddings, parties, and church gigs. Usually in the range of $100-200 per gig. Competition here is pretty tight too.

Studio teaching - most local players make their living this way. Teaching private lessons is usually what pays the bills for musicians in "anytown USA"

Public school - not bad pay but you don't get to play much. Not for the faint of heart. To those who think teachers don't get paid enough - a friend of mine just graduated, took her first job, and is teaching HS Band for $48,000 a year. That's way over the average family income in this state.

A bachelor's degree in music is the basic qualification for a church music director/minister of music. You have to have choir and keyboard experience for that one. Considering the hours worked - the pay is outstanding.

As for majoring in music. It's very demanding. Very few other majors require the time commitment that music does. It will completely drain you every day. You have to be certain it's what you want to do or you will fail. It is possible to double major though by adding a year to your studies. Remember too, you don't have to be a music major to play in the band, take theory, or take lessons.

I will share that I know a lot of college grads who were music majors who went on to unrelated careers. Law, medicine, education, business...

As for "She did make county honor band..."; so did every other college music major in the USA and most made all-state honor band and many have even already played for a living. The point with that statement is that if she hadn't made county honor band she could forget music as a major. Everyone in a college band was "the best" musician at their HS or "all state first chair" or "concerto competition winner".

There are two pieces of music you want to listen to - they speak from a professional musicians viewpoint. Barry Manilow Studio Musician and Ricky Skaggs Highway 40 Blues. Those tell the story of the profession pretty well.

There are plenty of ways to make a living with a degree in music and they don't all involve playing. Besides being a degree in music, it's still a bachelor's degree and very many jobs out there simply require the degree - not the major.

Answer 2

I don't play the flute myself but I play the clarinet and I am thinking for doing the same thing. It was suggested to me to get a music major as you will have more experience and have time to develop your skills as well as then having access to places where you will find jobs in this area.
If you are worried about her only having a music major and not having anything to fall back on, I would suggest doing music as a minor instead, you get the experience and the same requirements but then you will have something to fall back on.

Answer 3

I'm 14 and started playing guitar at 5. I like a lot of metal and screamo bands, that's the kind of band I hope to be in. but I also listen to instrumental bands like: An Endless Sporadic Buckethead Gordian Knot Steve Vai