Berklee major in performance worth it?

osmarokuma · #1 10-19-2011, 12:27 PM

Im a first semester student at Berklee and major in film scoring and performance.
I am starting to think about changing my performance major to something else because I don't see how a B.M. in Performance will help me at all get a job or for anything else performance related. Not saying that a piece of paper will get me a job but I think that the weight that a performance degree has is lower than those of other majors. I feel that I can take lessons and practice on my own instead of having to do it through berklee and I would still get the same education.
I also feel that no one will ask "do you have a B.M in performance?" if they want to hire you.
Is it worth it? or would I be better off majoring in film scoring and something like composition or music production to learn some new skills which I didn't know before?
(some anti-berklee people might reply)

bongomania · #2 10-19-2011, 01:08 PM

A degree in performance is like a degree in painting. Nobody ever bought a painting because the artist had a degree. The first-call session players don't get the call because of a degree.

If the training and practice time involved in getting the degree happen to be "what it takes" to build your playing skills to a pro level, then great. But if you have enough drive and determination on your own, you can build the same level of skills for free, and get the same gigs at the end of the day.

I do think that a degree in more technical, less-intuitive training such as composition or production would be more likely to land you jobs.

osmarokuma · #3 10-19-2011, 02:02 PM

Yeah that is what I feel right now and I feel that I'm not taking full advantage of being at berklee by being a performance major. I like the lessons but I can get 30 minute/week lessons for less $ on my own time. I really don't see any advantages to taking performance. Just wanted to see if any performance graduate had a positive experience post berklee which involved the performance BM

Dirk Diggler · #4 10-20-2011, 02:39 PM

Back in the early 80's when I was there, Berklee had a requirement of a major and a primary instrument. I suppose you might have been able to choose performance as a major, but I went for Audio Engineering, I know that title has changed too.

And no in the cold world of reality a degree means nothing unless you're planning on teaching. It's actual talent and professionalism is what will get you gigs.

Good luck,
Dirk