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 music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Mohammeddisto 
Date:   2003-06-16 23:59

how many clarinet performance majors go into other professions after graduationg? are they usually successful?

how many performance majors go to medical school or law school afterwards? how successful are they?

The ones you know...do they have a B Mus or B.A.?



Right now i'm about to go into a B.Mus program in performance. However, i don't plan on making a living with my music. I have no idea what i want to go into, though. maybe medical or law school? I also want to do something with business.

Hmm....i'm confused

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: allencole 
Date:   2003-06-17 07:49

Many music majors get post bacalaurate certificates in computer program and I've seen a lot of successes. Musicians have a good reputation in this field.

Allen Cole

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: msloss 
Date:   2003-06-17 12:33

If you are keeping future options open, take advantage of the full breadth of the university education and don't focus exclusively on woodshedding the clarinet and partying. A BM is a perfectly serviceable liberal arts degree that will keep doors open for you if you make it so. There are plenty of hours in the day to take a regular class load, several ensembles, and many hours of practicing, and have a well-rounded experience. There's even a little time left for bowling and beer.

Best of luck finding your path.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2003-06-17 14:02

I was an English major, but I did as much music as most music majors. I've been a carpenter, an editor, a graphic designer and a lawyer.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: BobD 
Date:   2003-06-17 23:10

Wasn't Bill Clinton a music major?

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: GBK 
Date:   2003-06-17 23:25

Before attending Oxford and Yale, Bill Clinton graduated Georgetown University with a degree in international affairs.

International affairs? Yes kids, international affairs ...GBK



Post Edited (2003-06-17 23:27)

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2003-06-18 00:32

GBK wrote:

> International affairs? Yes kids, international affairs ...GBK

I know what you're thinking ... and let's leave it unsaid.

Further comments on this, no matter how humorous, are not welcome and will be deleted.

Mark C.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Gretchen 
Date:   2003-06-19 17:16

I've heard that IBM hires more musicians than any other college major category or past career type other than computer science majors and current computer gurus. Why? A musician can take a computer and consider it just another instrument.

Cool, huh?
That's where the money is in this world anyway.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: GBK 
Date:   2003-06-19 18:12

Gretchen said:
<Cool, huh?
<That's where the money is in this world anyway

Nope...The real money is going to those who cater to the tastes and purchasing power of 12 year olds, by writing escapist pap novels or vapid popular songs...GBK



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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: supernova_khr 
Date:   2003-06-19 19:15

"IBM hires more musicians than any other college major category or past career type other than computer science majors and current computer gurus."

OK, I'd like to know the primary source of this information. I've seen it quoted on this board a few times. I've been employed in the computer industry for over 20 years as has my husband. In all that time, I've encountered lots of CS/engineer types who play instruments and sing, but all had degrees in math/CS/various types of engineering/physics/chemistry. 2 of the folks I've worked with had music degrees also, but they weren't hired because of that, and they also had degrees in physics or engineering. The only pure music majors I've encountered in this time in this industry have been secretaries or in HR. (and there's also my neighbor who is an auto mechanic). So, I'm curious...what are all these music majors at IBM doing?

Cheers,

Kay

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Gretchen 
Date:   2003-06-20 00:08

I'm not sure exactly where I've heard that...I can't site the exact place I've gotten that information from, but like you, i've heard it practically everywhere. I figured since i"ve heard it so many times and places (school and word of mouth) I assumed that it was true. Maybe I shouldn't assume so much...sorry if that info is wrong. I thought I was passing along good and valid info.  :) I'll look into it though.

Gretchen

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Garret 
Date:   2003-06-20 22:41

Two of my classmates in dental school were music majors. One played piano, the other played flute. They are excellent dentists. I think the dexterity needed to play an instrument goes well with dentistry.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: OCUplayer 
Date:   2003-06-20 23:04

Hello-

I read your message and completely identified with your dillemma. When I graduated last year, I wanted to major in music, but didn't know if that was the profession I wanted or if I went on to become a graduate, whether or not it would be feasible in another area. Then I started searching universities for alternate and creative ways of obtaining a bachelor in music. This is when I found a degeree plan called Music Business. Basically, it is a Bachelor of Music with Business electives. You take the required courses of a Performance degree, with some leniencies, and also major business courses. It is working out really well for me and I just thought it could give you some insight into what to do. It might allow you to pursue both aspirations in one degree plan. I hope you figure out something that works for you. Good luck!

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: JMcAulay 
Date:   2003-06-21 02:01

When I was in the US Army many years ago and about to become a civilian once again, an old Master Sergeant gave me a great piece of advice. He said he had always wanted to be a soldier, ever since he was a little kid, and thought he had done a good job of it (he had been a Major during the Korean war, and had been awarded the Silver Star). He told me there are only two types of people who should re-enlist in the Army: those who wouldn't want to do anything else, and those who couldn't do anything else. I took this to heart and did not re-enlist.

Maybe being a performing musician is much the same.

Regards,
John
music major, once upon a time



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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: jim lande 
Date:   2003-06-21 05:07

I have know at least two lawyers who were performance major. And fabulous drummer who decided not to tour Europe with David Murray (sax) and instead got a Phd in Economics.




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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Benni 
Date:   2003-06-21 18:37

Speaking of economics, I'd recently heard on the radio that Alan Greenspan received his degree from Juilliard (he played clarinet, sax, and flute), and had a job playing tenor with a dance band that played swing and bop-flavored music. He was also the band's bookkeeper, and would do the band member's taxes for $7. Now he's "first chair" at the Fed.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Webdisgnr101 
Date:   2003-08-23 23:45

Whoa.. scary! Before I even started band... I was always messing around on computers. Now I play Clarinet, Piano, and violin.. thinking of becoming a music major. I also Design Websites.. not too great.. but so what .. I only 16 I'll learn. I wonder if I'm gonna become a music major then go into computers...hmmm...


www.geocities.com/webdisgnr101/index.html <-- don't laugh at my webmastering skills haha

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: deepriver27 
Date:   2003-08-24 18:41

My brother is another example - he graduated as a piano performance major and then went to work at the Harvard Music Library, when he decided to get a master's in library science. After one thing led to another he now works in information systems on Wall St. He still plays too.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: quido 
Date:   2003-08-25 06:45

I started my college career as Comptuer Science major at Michigan State. Partway into my first semester, I became a Political Science major, hoping to go into law eventually. After my first year there, I decided to switch to Grand Valley State University so I could get a degree in International Relations (now aiming at International Law) as well as become more involved with music. After joining the Concert Band, the clarinet professor (who I had known from long ago) caught up with me and promised me an audition-free seat into the good band. Before the end of my 3rd semester of college I decided to add Clarinet Performance as my second major. On the day of my department audition I talked with the Music Department Chairman and he told me that when considering applications into their school, many Law Schools view applicants with music degrees as the most favorable applicants, discounting other specifics.

Has anyone heard or read anything of the sort? I can understand the reasoning, considering people with talent in music I find often have an incredible sense of logic and deductive reasoning. I've also noticed that musicians often have above average skills in foreign languages. This is empirical data on my part, and is simply an observational trend. I feel it deserves some merit, though.

For those of you curious, I start my Fifth semester of college and Second as a clarinet performance major in another six hours!! Time to kick the crap out of the Debussy!

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Mark Pinner 
Date:   2003-08-25 11:22

I have been in and out of the profession. I started with an apprenticeship as cement renderer and plasterer after having a stint as a pro player. I then did a stint as a customs officer followed by a stint as an army musician. Then to university graduating with a B.Mus.Ed., back into the army as a psych corp warrant officer, then back into the profession as a player and teacher as well as training as a repairer. Currently doing postgrad and considering a history lecturing offer or a writing job. I think I might as well stay in the music game, it is probably the only industry that will have me.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: David Peacham 
Date:   2003-08-25 20:58

I would have thought that the primary reason for favouring music graduates is that music is damn hard work. You don't find many successful musicians with a lazy or second-best-will-do attitude.

On the subject of musicians in politics, Edward Heath, UK PM 1970-74, was an organ scholar at Oxford - though he didn't study music.

(For those unfamiliar with the term, the "organ scholar" at an Oxford or Cambridge college is the student who plays the organ for all religious services, and trains the choir. The pay is nominal but the prestige is considerable; competition is fierce and usually they are very talented.)

-----------

If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.

To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.


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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: harpovitovandoren 
Date:   2003-08-26 06:30

My two cents worth: I played clarinet in the band and orchestra while in high school many years ago (1969). I loved it so much - I'm sure I would have dropped out of high school had it not been for my musical activities. I wanted to pursue a career in music and my band director/clarinet teacher urged me to go into music education. I tried it for a year at a well known Pennsylvania University. I really didn't like it because all I wanted to do was play. I wasn't interested in baby sitting kids who weren't sure why they were in the band in the first place. As a clarinettist I would have a band to direct and I hadn't the slightest interest in football and all that half time stuff we were forced to go thru if we wanted to play in the concert band. I am not denigrating the music education profession - it just wasn't for me. I ended up years later honking my horn on the streets of San Francisco and Berkley. That was a lot of fun but the pay wasn't so great as I recall. I sure met some interesting people that way! Later while working on a friend's farm I heard that California Institute of the Arts was looking for some players. I auditioned and to my surprise I was accepted. I only lasted 2 years there but I had a most enjoyable time. Richard Stoltzman showed up for master classes, Michelle Zukovsky was the clarinet professor at the time. A truly wonderful lady and a great player. I'm sorry if this sounds like a wannabe performer's resume - point is: if you are an above average musician (and of course we all are!) - you have already mastered skills, good work habits and attention to detail that will set you apart from many people. In other words go for the joy and excitement that music brings to all of us - whatever you end up doing to support yourself is secondary - you will get by!!

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: David Spiegelthal 2017
Date:   2003-08-26 14:13

I'd be curious to see a statistic of the percentage of clarinet performance majors who make their primary income doing something other than playing music --- I'd venture a guess that it's a very high number.

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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: GBK 
Date:   2003-08-26 15:04

David stated:

> I'd venture a guess that it's a very high number.


I'd venture a guess that it is almost every one of them...GBK



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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: terry 
Date:   2003-08-26 17:21

the engineer speaks: references to IBM and other tech firms hiring Music Majors:

http://world.std.com/~lo/96.05/0059.html
http://www.20minutesfromhome.com/twminpages/ALLTELprofile.html
http://www.bhs.k12.nj.us/twist/TWIST_files/lo-profile.htm
http://www.shawpittman.com/rfp.nsf/0/cb013ed5234c5e9a85256999006b9ec6?OpenDocument

lots more, a good exercise for the underemployed



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 Re: music majors that go into non-nusical professions
Author: Wes 
Date:   2003-08-26 19:11

It was said that Heifitz's favorite oboe player, a player in the Los Angeles area, was a famous oral surgeon.

How happy I am that I studied and worked in electrical engineering as well as music.

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