So guys, I went ahead and applied for college this morning. I have been tossing around the idea of different schools and different areas of study and settled (after a lot of research) on pursuing an associates degree in music. I did not graduate from high school and since I have only a GED I applied at our local community college; Los Medanos CC, and will most likely transfer to a major university to pursue higher degrees. I am going to be 27 next month and I wish I'd gone to college earlier, but better late than never right?
Has anyone else on here gone to college with a major in music? What opportunities in life has it opened up for you?

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Tim: If you are planing a career in any facet of the music industry, you cant go wrong with your choice. Although I pursued a business Career I dident Start my education until I was 41. It took 5 years to finish I Wish I could have started when I was 27 it could have made big a difference . But your never to old to begin.
----Danny,

Tim any degree is better than no degree. While I do not have a degree in music I have several friends that do. Most of them teach in one form or another. 2 are high school band directors. One is a vocal coach and my cousin is a harpist for the national orchestra of Iceland. There are a variety of careers where a music degree could come in handy. Advertising, education, ministry, radio, television, motion pictures, symphony, and recording industry come to mind. That being said don't be surprised if some say it may not be financially rewarding unless you become a music mogul or rock star...

I recently studied for a BA(Hons) in Commercial Music. It's been great to learn everything I'd need to know, plus experience (got to tour Amsterdam, the UK and play the Isle of Wight Festival).

Definitely worth a look. I haven't got a job yet through the degree, as I want to start applying when I'm based somewhere worth starting on my musical career, but I've found plenty of opportunities.

_________________
'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

I went to our freshman orientation last week at the college I'm going to... Out of about 200 students there for Engineering majors, I was only like one of four people pursuing a major in Chemical Engineering...

Whats cool is that a lot of the music classes fall under the General Ed. requirements everyone has to complete... so this semester I'm taking a honors class called "Music in the Western World." It should be pretty cool

Maybe later I'll be in the Jazz ensemble and play guitar for that too...

_________________
Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

I have a masters degree, sadly its in a field that isnt very popular for making any amount of money, however, it is a masters degree nonetheless!

I have friends with music degrees as well, as mentioned in another post, most of them are teachers, band directors, etc... I also have friends in the music industry without any type of degree that make over 100k a year just touring

If I could go back and start college over, id go into something that is going to be profitable - anything medical is a good move - lots of associate degrees can be obtained in the medical field to get good paying jobs, such as phys therapy assistant, resp therapy, xray techs and so on - just research it before getting to far into your classes, and remember, one day, you will have to pay back those student loans!! lol - Good luck man!!

+1000!

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I hear what you're saying. I don't think the medical field would be a good one for me. I wanted to do something that's going to interest me, and there are lots of different opportunities in the music industry that interest me and can be profitable. I have done a lot of research and I feel that I'll be pretty happy with the opportunities that open up for me with a degree in music.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

As an old guy, I would suggest doing what makes you happy. If you make enough money to live, and live within your means you'll be happy. Excess money is over-rated.

Wise words; totally agree.

Agreed...If I can do something that I enjoy, and still make enough to provide for a family, and put a little away for old age I'll be happy. I don't need any gross amounts of money.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Congrats Tim, very smart move. I was one of the silly buggers who waited till they were half way through their 40's to go back to school and get a degree. Luckily the Uni I went to also had a great music programme and I had gigged with a couple of the profs so I got to audit the courses during my spare time.....and as far as school went ...I loved it, made me feel a lot more vital mentally....the young women were also a treat to watch.

_________________
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'

Congratulations on getting to go to school. You may be way ahead of me on this, but I wanted to make a suggestion. At first you will be taking general courses and will get to explore all kind of directions. When you begin to focus your study, I would focus on an aspect that everyone needs like sound engineer or something. This way you get into the industry and can pursue performance from there.

_________________
My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.

Tim,
It's never too late! I went to college when I was 50 years and received an Associate of Fine Art degree. I graduated Summa C-u-m Laude at the age of 53. Go and have a blast. If I would have gone at the age of 27, who knows how far I could have gone. Good luck. I can't believe what these guys censor.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

most important it so work hard and really learn. I did college directly from high school and graduated from Penn State. I have an advertising/marketing degree which has really given me a lot of wonderful opportunities in life. But i want to say some of the things i learned outside of my direct field changed my life... world religions, philosophy, logic and statistics. Take classes of interest along with the necessary ones and really listen and learn. You will not regret it, this path will lead to many wonderful things if you let it.