Klarinet Archive - Posting 000012.txt from 1995/07

From: Lynn Thomas <thomas@-----.ORG>
Subj: Re: Minor correction/BS or BM?
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 1995 15:03:09 -0400

On Sat, 1 Jul 1995, Neil Leupold wrote:

I don't know if you are
> correct about the original poster's point concerning the comparison between
> universities and conservatories, but you do make another interesting point
> about the prudence (or lack thereof) concerning getting a B.A. over a B.M. I
> think it is probably very much an issue of personal goals and desires when
> deciding which degree is better suited to an individual. I'm sure there are
> many who make the argument that they need the more concentrated curriculum of
> the B.M. degree program, even though they may also consciously acknowledge
that
> they can go on to an M.M. afterwards. It must be understood, though, that
some
> musicians are so darned talented and musically focused that an undergraduate
> degree is all they need before they manage to land a job in a good symphony
> orchestra. I've known a few who didn't even get through their B.M. degree
> programs before they left school altogether after winning a job
mid-semester...
>
> - Neil
>
Pardon my strange snipping. This DOS freenet is really weird, can't cut
& paste so I must delete! I also can't get back read posts, which is why
I asked for someone to repost that paragraph. Dummy me should have saved it.

I hate that...getting a job before they graduate :p...then again, those kind
of players don't need to worry about what type of degree they're
pursuing. They don't count in what we're talking about, really. And
those who are "so darned talented...all they need is a degree" - well,
they're sort of in that same genre. Doesn't matter what they get. But
for the majority of music majors it's a whole other ball game...

Personal goals is one thing, reality is another. For all the
thousands of music majors that go through school, maybe 1/10 get employed
(I'm just guessing) because there are no jobs, period. Anyone can go on
to an MM program if they play well enough/have a good audition. The only
*applied music* difference between the curriculum of an ed major and that of
a performance major is that the performance major gets twice as much
lesson time, and has to put on a full recital instead of partial. And an
ed major can do that, too, if they want to make the time for it. I did.

I know too many BMs who are out of work, and went into other fields
(computers and insurance are big draws). Some I know went back to
school for their education credits so they could do *something*
pertaining to music. It does not pay, in this society, to have limited
career options for yourself. With all the NEA cuts, there will be less
places for people to play. The arts will be smashed as much as TPTB can
smash them. Those with BMs rely on these type of programs for their
livelihood, and those with BSs can "fall back" on teaching. The BMs will
be washing dishes and waiting tables, and the BSs will have pensions.

I guess what I'm saying is that it just doesn't make sense to shoot
yourself in the foot. You can play all you want with a BS. You can
study all you want, make your program as concentrated applied-music-wise
as you want, and get the benefits of both degree programs. If you
seriously want to play, the MM is needed, for the most part (not counting
those guys above) anyway. And then you still might not get one, or get
less than you counted on.

One other point not made: It is more important *who you study with* if
you're looking to play, than whether you have a BM or not. What do you
think?

rambling on.....

Lynn

   
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