How many of you have musical degrees?

Greykiller · #1 03-10-2009, 06:55 PM

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have musical degrees? Doesn't really matter in what, and do you think that they've been enough of a benefit to you to warrant having it? Also, full time musician or hobbyist?

I'm just wondering. I'm still in high school and I have no idea what I'm gonna do when I get out, so I just want to see how everyone else made out.

fdeck · #2 03-10-2009, 07:58 PM

I am a part timer with no musical degree, but a fair amount of training in the form of lessons. So far as I know, the guys who are above me on call lists for jazz gigs all have music degrees. It means that they have training, knowledge, and practice, that I will never have. This translates into being better players on stage, plus being able to compose, arrange, teach, etc.

I get by, and am happy to be playing at all, but I can also see where taking it to the next level would have gotten me. Yet I have no regrets because I chose a career in a different creative field that has been rewarding in its own way.

Choosing to study any creative field has to be a "calling" because it is always a long shot in terms of getting to the level where you can make a decent living when you graduate.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #3 03-10-2009, 08:41 PM

I got a Magna Cum Laude diploma (in music, of course) in Dec. 1999 from one of the universities I'm currently working with. The thing is, since this town hasn't had a tradition in music education, the level isn't really that of a "superior studies school". As my double bass master told me when I was preparing my diploma concert: "What you are studying for an university diploma here is the same for a high school diploma in Poland".

bobalew · #4 03-10-2009, 10:53 PM

I earned a Bachelor of Music Education in '79 (that's 1979) and found that teaching didn't pay much more than minimum wage. So I have spent the last 30 years working in engineering where I earned a good living that supported my family.

Music as an avocation is rewarding. Music as a vocation is tough in most markets.

As to the making out part of your question, you should post in the 'humor' forum ... we're bass players, what would we know about that??!

rfclef · #5 03-10-2009, 11:38 PM

Music Education Degree... Glad I have it. Studied Tuba, started bass a couple years ago...

deaf pea · #6 03-11-2009, 12:46 AM

Another Tuba player here . . .
1967 Bachelor of Music (music composition) with high distinction
(that's what it says - it's for having a super high grade point average)
1967 Bachelor of Music (music education) also with high distinction

I think that the broad-based training that I recieved at College HAS helped me immensely in the past 42 years, but I really feel that I didn't REALLY start to learn music until I was out of school, literally a "starving artist", learning "in the streets" . . .

YMMV . . .

BTW, I've been a full-time professional musician (and - later - recording engineer) for over 48 years now!

EDIT - I think that I should say that I've NEVER worked as a middle school or high school band or orchestra director . . .
I did do a bit (3 semesters) of junior college teaching, but not really music, although it WAS part of the Music Department . . . I was sharing my knowledge of studio work (recording engineering and producing) at Los Angeles Valley College . . .
IIRC, it was in '79 and '80 . . .

BassChuck · #7 03-11-2009, 04:51 AM

I have a B.S. in MusEd and did masters work in performance.

I've taught for 30 years and performed at virtually every level of music. I continue to perform, compose and arrange music.

The education is good for the knowledge, but I've known quite a few excellent musicians who had the knowledge without the time in college or the degree. I've known a good number (too many) poor musicians who have a degree or two who can't get or keep a gig.

The college experience in music is great IF you make it work for you. If you can do that, then the classes and training will save you an enormous amount of time (the time you would have spent teaching yourself and getting performance experience). Also, being in college gives you time to get your music stuff together without having to deal with real world responsibilities. In other words... having two or three years with not a lot more on your plate than getting up in the morning and practicing and rehearsing for 8 hours will build the chops nicely.

Of course its like anything else in life... if you don't take it seriously, don't pay attention, and just glide through school without really 'being there' it probably won't have that great a positive impact on your future.

rfclef · #8 03-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

Another Tuba player here . . .
. .

Hola, Tuba brother...

DanAleks · #9 03-25-2009, 09:16 AM

BA in Jazz Performance - Percussion 1985

MonetBass · #10 03-25-2009, 09:24 AM

BS in Music (music business) in 1995, after my BS in Business in 1988. I am a hobbyist at best, but I did arrange some strings for an original compisition for a friend's wedding.

mpm32 · #11 03-25-2009, 09:31 AM

I have a BA in Sound Recording and Engineering. I don't remember a thing about it and the closest I come to the industry is playing in a cover band (currently). I was in band and we had a record contract about 12 years ago.

I never worked as a sound engineer. Never really wanted to be on that side of the glass.

I am in finance now.

Senior year in HS I was all set to go to school for architecture. I was in a band and thought I needed to get some type of music degree to keep playing so I changed my mind at the last minute. Dumb.

I wish I didn't. I could've been an architect playing in a band. lol

DrMWP · #12 03-25-2009, 09:42 AM

Bachelor in Music Ed.
Master of Music in Performance (Voice)
Doctor of Arts in Conducting

I teach vocal/choral music a university.
Bass is a hobby for me, a way to express myself musically that isn't work related.

If you make the decision to study music at college AND dedicate yourself to doing it 100% it is a great experience!
There are so many paths to a career in the field of music. Teaching, gigging, or in the music industry (i.e. retail, recording, arts management, manufacturing, etc.) Explore, visit campuses (talk to the teachers and students) and do your homework and you'll find the right place for you. GOOD LUCK!

Hoover · #13 03-25-2009, 12:16 PM

I have two:

Bachelor of Music in Audio Recording (1982)
Master of Music in Composition (1995)

I make my living as an audio engineer, so I guess the 1st degree was worth it...but the 2nd was so much more worth it in terms of its personal reward.