 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-04-21 18:26
I have a strange question. I had always planned to be a medical technologist when I got older, but I had always loved music, esp. teaching it. I am teaching two students now and they are doing great. One even told me I was the best teacher he had ever had! I think it is better than performing. I have been torn for the longest time on what to do. So I finally decided to double major in medical technology and music ed. I think being a music teacher is soo cool! My dream now is to go to a school that normally couldn't afford a music program and say " I will do it for free!" And then at night go to my job as a medical technologist and make a living doing the other thing I love. It makes me so happy to think of doing this in the future. But now that I am a junior in high school and have started telling conselors and friends what I want to do, they basically tell me I am crazy or have seen "Mr. Hollands Opus" too many times!! What do you guys think? I don't mind the extra years of school or the work...I thrive under pressure. I have a huge scholarship for me to become a med. tech., so money isn't an issue. I think my dream is really cool but no one seems to agree with me. Now I am scared to talk to my band director about it! What should I do!? And then there is the fact that I am only a mediocore player. I am five people above the middle of the clarinet section. What should I do?? Does any one else think that this is a cool idea? I am really starting to doubt myself. :o( Is there a school that would take me as a teacher under those terms or would they laugh me out? Any comments greatly appreciated. I am sorry this took so long to say but I really need some honest feedback. Thanks
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Author: Al
Date: 2000-04-21 19:08
Amber,
One has to to admire your ambitions.
Firstly, if you want a degree in music ed., you'll have to consider,immediately, taking private lessons if you are not already doing so.There are auditions to pass and it's competitive out there.
You'll also have to realize that teaching music all day (for money or not) can get quite exhausting. To think you can then do a full time job nights is noble but rather naive.
You're also smart enough to realize the ramifications of getting a job in a public school for no salary. Enough on that.
When my students tell me that they want to go into music professionaly, performing or teaching,I try to talk them out of it. Why? Because if I can, they don't have enough zeal for all that's necessary to succeed. Now anyone reading this understand what I'm saying. If I can talk them out of it , they shouldn't be pursuing a career in music. It's too demanding and competitive. But if they insist and do all of the preparitory things necessary to be a music major,I'll support them to the end.
I've seen too many disillusioned prospective musicians.As a matter of fact, I've seen too many disgruntled musicians who have made it their career;teaching or performing. They wish they'd done something else so they could just enjoy their music.
My final thinking on the matter is this:
Love your music and keep it one of the happiest things in your life. You can always play avocationally and perhaps teach too.
Pursue medical technology and enjoy your music.
Al
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Author: Mike M
Date: 2000-04-21 19:37
Al gives some great advice!
On the up side, I know so many musicians in their 30's 40's and 50's (myself included) who went through the same struggle coming out of High School. We decided on other (more lucrative, less competitive) occupations and now have the luxury to enjoy music (and afford CD’s, music, lessons, fine equipment, etc). Most of my musical friends do freelance work, play in community orchestras, give lessons and stay relatively busy musically. So we have the best of both worlds! Good Luck.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-04-21 19:52
You don't have to be a great player to be a teacher. If that was so all the coaches would be superstars. Do what is right in your heart and don't worry what other have to say. Your plans may change many times before you are finished. Thats ok too. You life path is very what it seems to be. When i was a junior in high school I wanted to be........heck i forgot and it's not even important.
Go for it.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-04-21 22:26
When my Intro to Music Ed class started in the spring semester, we were all asked why we wanted to teach music. Here's my answer to a very difficult, personal question! I love music, and whenever I see group learn how to play something, it makes me feel good. However, there's also the performance side. I love performing! But with being a teacher, I can have the best of both worlds. I can teach and play in community bands and orchestras and teach privately.
It is good that you do not want to double major and "fall back" on music ed. But follow what YOU want to do the most and not what people tell you to. Your band director or parents can discourage you from following what you want to the most, but it is your life, not theirs.
Good luck!
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2000-04-21 22:53
Maybe you should look at a field like music therapy. It might combine two of your interests and not require a high proficiency as a musician.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-04-22 05:44
My dad did just the opposite. He had 3 PhDs(medical) and was good at his trade, but his heart was in music and teaching music. Thats what he did most of his life and he loved it. I have one acquaintance who started out as a geography teacher as he was able to get a scholarship in this field. After that first degree was under his belt, the music degree was just taking the aditional music coarses. He now is a music teacher and happy. You still have a while to make a choice. In the meantime, keep up that math, english and stuff also. You'll need it either way you go.
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Author: Tim Wilson
Date: 2000-04-22 13:05
Always, always, always, follow your passion. Let it lead you to wherever it will. Use your head but follow your heart, because by the time you "figure it all out", you'll have lost touch with the intensity of your dream. And one more thing, don't listen to ANYBODY. Because just about everybody will try to talk you out of everything.
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Author: Ron
Date: 2000-04-22 14:08
Follow your dream! It doesn't matter where you sit now in your section. Your desire will ultimately determine where you end up. I would suggest you stay with the medical field if you like to eat good.
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2000-04-22 14:45
Amber -
Hey, What's up ? Okay.. number one - Mr. Hollands Opus is the greatest movie. Two.. I know how it feels to be discouraged, though negativaly about and as a joke. Last year I decided I wanted to become a teacher ( music elem.) and everyone though I was joking. Over the summer I student taught, and it felt soo good when a child finally "got" something. It made my day seeing them smile, and how proud they were. In life.. do what makes you happy - What good is a job that you hate ? Just yesterday my director came up to me, and told me - you will be find laur - your a great teacher but what makes you different is your patience and determination. Don't worry.. Everyone comes aroudnd. My advice for you - Follow your heart. Don't listen to what people say.. or wha people think. DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT. It's your live.. I think you will be a great teacher. Because you want to teach. IMHO - It dosn't take much to become a great teacher. All you need is passion, and dedication. You have to love what your doing. It will show Best of luck !
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Author: Al
Date: 2000-04-22 15:54
Amber:
Sure, follow your heart,but use your head.
Make up your mind as to weather you want one or the other(medicine or music). It would be difficult to pursue both at this point.
If you want to be a music teacher, put your ALL into it. Start studying seriously. Take clarinet lessons from a good teacher and tell him/her your goals. Take piano lessons too. Practice seriously. Determine the requsites for acceptance into an accredited school for music education.
Why are you afraid to mention your desires to your band director? Why would he/she disapprove of your plan? Think about his/her answer to this question. Would he/she be likely to tell you that you're not qualified?
Then find others, counselors etc. who can put you on the right path. However......
If you're not going to give your all to it, forget it.
Perhaps I may sound a little harsh and dogmatic. Perhaps it's because I've been in in this business many,many years and have witnessed situations similar to your dilemma.
And remember that having a career in medicine AND an avocation in music is not a bad solution either.
In any event, I wish you well. Dreaming without a hard, practical path to reach that dream is naive.
Best to you,
Al
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Author: Jim
Date: 2000-04-23 04:25
Amber,
Deciding what one wants to be when one grows up can be most difficult, and in many cases including my own, delays the growing up part! (At 49 I refuse to grow up!) For what its worth to you, I suspect it is MUCH easier to practice music (and other arts) as an avocation than it would be to atttempt to do so with medicine or other of the more rigid disciplines. In any event, once bitten by the arts "bug," I suspect it would be impossible to stay away. Do be on the lookout for the less obvious paths in your quest as these often lead to the richest personal rewards.
I studied music extensively and love it, but have spent much time professionally and otherwise in the graphic arts even though I have not taken an art course since 8th grade. (An elementary school art teacher told me I had no ability and I was foolish enough to believe her!) You never know.
The web site "Monster.com" recently used Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" in a very effective TV commercial, and I suggest you might look it up in the library and read it.
Best wishes in all that you do, and keep music near your heart.
Jim
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Author: HL
Date: 2000-04-27 02:43
I too love music and decided when I finished high school, I would get my degrees and teach piano. I still had to work, to be able to afford the lessons. When I worked at my "day" job, all I wanted to do was play the piano, clarinet and teach. After my kids were born, I was able to stay home and teach. It was ok for the first year or so, but I became frustrated with dealing with parents and their "gifted" children. I finally balanced out my career by teaching, working part time and playing. It seemed to be the best way for me. My mom always told me to have more than one "career" because you never know what may happen in the future. Going after one career choice maybe the way to go, but you don't have to give up your music. You may not be able to take music classes at school because of the workload for the medical profession, but you can still take private lessons and play in local bands/orchestras. The local groups may not be professional, but it will give you the experience of playing and they are always looking for players. Good luck!
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