Klarinet Archive - Posting 000003.txt from 1995/07

From: Lynn Thomas <thomas@-----.ORG>
Subj: Re: conservatories/universities?
Date: Sat, 1 Jul 1995 10:42:11 -0400

I don't think the guy who originally posted the message re: applied
music meant to compare conservatories vs universities. I think he was
speaking of the B.M. degree itself, and that the B.M. does not
necessarily get you a job when you graduate...that is why he didn't think
it was worth anything. I deleted the original posting or I'd have copied
his paragraph here for reference, so I'm trying to go on what I remember.

He does have a point. If you get a B.S., at least you can teach, even if
you don't want to, while you get your Master's in Performance. From what
I see (and I was considering getting a B.M. instead of a B.S. for a
while), the undergrad curriculum differs only in that you have teaching
methods courses (for B.S) and theory/history courses (for B.M.), plus the
B.M. doubles the lesson time. "Gives you something to fall back on," as
my Dad would say...

Now, if a B.S. candidate practices the same amount as a B.M. candidate,
even if they don't add on more lessons, technically they could learn as
much as the applied music major. You can give a full recital, if you
want, as an education major. You can *play* as much as you want,
period. Performance is the basis for the B.M. I think that, for
reality's sake, we should consider that with only a B.M. you can't really
"go anywhere" anyway, you need a Master's in Performance - so why not give
yourself a broader background, get the B.S., and then get the Master's in
Performance?

If it's lessons you want, add the time to your schedule. You can get the
best of both worlds that way. BTW, I started my Masters (in
performance), and the first class I took I snoozed my way
through...aesthetics...there oughta be a law that the aesthetics of an
aesthetics course should encourage one to stay awake! Needless to say, I
never finished it, because the whole curriculum structure of this
particular master's program was a snooze in itself.

The thing that bothers me the most is the way that education departments
(and the dreaded marching band) are killing the applied departments in a
lot of universities. This is a whole other can of worms we can open if
y'all want to...

I really think, however, that the B.M. vs. B.S. was what he was talking
about. I don't think it was based on conservatories and universities.
Could someone repost that paragraph if they still have it, please?

Thanks --

Lynn