Klarinet Archive - Posting 000589.txt from 1998/03

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: College choices
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 1998 19:42:37 -0500

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998, George Kidder wrote:

> Kenneth,
>
> If you are serious about doing a double-major in business admin or computer
> science, don't neglect to find out 1) what the quality of these non-music
> programs is at the schools you are considering. (There can be some BIG
> differences.) 2) Whether the requirements of the music department preclude
> doing anything else with your undergraduate life other than music plus the
> institution's general education requirements, and 3) how the particular
> clarinet instructor you have in mind feels about double majors, minors, etc.
> outside of music. (You don't want to start a 4-year arguement about this.)
>
> Speaking only for myself, and as a non-professional lover of music, I think
> you are wise to back up your musical education with something which has a
> higher probability of making some money. I say this in the knowledge that
> there are list members who have done quite well making a living from music -
> but I submit that these are very talented persons. Maybe you are, too -
> that is not for me to judge.
>
>
>
I heartily agree with that! I see way too many kids graduate from this
school (U of A -- not a top school by anyone's standards) with performance
degrees who are not even close to being qualified professional performers
AND who never bothered to learn how to do anything else during their
academic careers. The phrase "Would you like fries with that?" ring a
bell?

Even talented people don't always get playing jobs, for a multitude of
reasons, but they still have to eat! I'm not going to venture an estimate
of how talented I personally might be, but during my schooling, I managed
to pick up a lot of computer skills, decided to take a doctoral minor in
business administration (core courses from the MBA program), and now have
a fairly livable job in accounting for the School of Music, as well as
a part-time music career with Opera plus other side jobs. Between the
two, I *almost* have enough money to pay off my student loans!

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu