Music major/minor

[Astral Poetry]

I've been debating whether to minor in music (or perhaps even major) at college. Since a few of you took some form of it in college, I'd like to pose a few questions:

What prerequisites are usually necessary?
How extensive is your knowledge expected to be (on composition, different instruments, etc.)?
Are you forced to focus your training to one instrument, or can span it across several?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions right after I log off, but those are a few broad one's I've been thinking of.

 

[Baliset]

it depends on the type of music program your college offers. i went to a college which was trying to run itself like a conservatory and so you had to audition on classical guitar to get into the program as a major. if this is the way your school runs its program then i might advise doing a minor.

i am not sure about what the pre-requisites might be.

also the composition stuff would be if the school had composition professors which mine didn't and so they didn't actually care alot about your creative writing as it were but instead on your performance and ability to interpret the work of other people.

what i am getting at is to be careful to ask alot of questions of what is expected of you from your school's music department because minors are not usually held to the same standards and have more freedom to just use the chance to get what they want out of music.

if i had the chance i would have gone to a different music program after having seen the effects of more "progressive" music programs. but i was a dumb stubborn kid who stuck through it anyway.

 

[chupe666]

iirc, the school i went to required an audition on one instrument (of a specified repertoire they have set up) and then the usual application stuff, like music history. not sure of any tests.

fwiw, i wish now that i had pursued the double degree program in which you get 2 bachelor degrees in 5 yrs and done a dbl major in music/math instead of just math. not sure if they have a similar program where you are (or if a minor would be similar).

i did greatly enjoy the composition classes i took; maybe see if the music classes are available to those who don't declare music minor/major because if they're restricted that could help the decision. i'd think a minor would be a good chance to pursue what you want from it though, like greg said.

 

[Astral Poetry]

I'm really leaning towards minoring in music. This way I'm able to do exactly what I want (composition/theory classes likely, and perhaps some history) while still venturing off to do other things (probably math or english). I'll have to investigate the music program of the college I'm planning to attend further before making any final decisions.

Another quick question: If you audition on an instrument, are you still allowed to switch instrumental preferences; for instance, I could audition on trombone but then switch focus to guitar or cello?

 

[Baliset]

some colleges consider that a big no-no just because part of the deal with being a minor or major is displaying your improvement in ability on said instrument. but again i am not sure.