7.5 tips to help you prepare to be a music major in college
Are you considering majoring in music in college? If so, that’s amazing and I love that for you! However, it is also important to understand what will be expected of you as a college music major and how it will be different from your high school music experience. When you know what to expect, it will be easier to get prepared!
One issue I regularly ran into when I was an admissions officer was meeting wonderful students that love music, love being in band/orchestra/choir because that’s where all their friends are, and want to major in music in college, but have no idea what that will entail for them. Those motivations are not wrong, but getting ready for a collegiate music program requires a lot of self discipline and hard work. A music program in college is not only a social scene, but also where serious academic and musical study takes place, and expectations of excellence are high (just like any other college major!).
So, if you’re serious about continuing music in college, here’s a few things to keep in mind:
You need to practice. A lot. At minimum, you’ll be expected to practice on your own at least 3 hours a day. You’ll have a performance test called a “jury” at the end of each year, and you’ll have to give at least one recital during your time in college. Don’t forget to learn your ensemble music, chamber music, and whatever else you’re involved in!
You will also be taking classes in music theory, music history, plus your general education classes. If you can and have access to music theory courses at your high school, I highly recommend taking those! If not, you can start exploring music theory concepts for free on MusicTheory.net. I also highly recommend starting to learn the basics of piano if you’re not already a piano player. This will come in very handy for all your music theory classes.
A huge difference between high school and college is that you likely won’t be in classes for a full eight hours a day. You might only have 2-3 classes in a day, and the rest of your time will be used for studying, practicing, rehearsals, and other activities. So, it will be on YOU to stay organized and disciplined with the time you’re not in class. Come up with a weekly schedule with your advisor or private teacher right away in your first year that lays out your classes, rehearsal times, homework time, and set up some chunks of time to get your own personal practicing in. Don’t forget to leave time to eat full meals and get to bed by a reasonable hour! Repeat this process at the beginning of each semester to get into a good habit of setting and sticking to a schedule.
Be willing to be a beginner at some things! In college, you’ll have a ton of opportunities to expand your musical knowledge. Take lessons on a new style of music, join a world music ensemble, pick up a secondary instrument. You can expect that you probably won’t be great right away with some concepts and genres that are brand new to you. That’s totally okay! This is how you learn and grow as a person and musician. (Yours truly, a classically trained violinist, decided to take jazz improv lessons for a term and had my mind blown. It was really hard at first, but got easier and more fun the more I stuck with it!)
4 1/2. If you’re the best player/singer in your high school, concertmaster, first chair, I can guarantee you that you won’t be the best in your college ensembles right away. That’s a good thing! Performing with your peers that are more advanced than you is a great way to learn and kick your own technical skills into high gear. Use that competition as a motivator to improve every day!
Depending on your major, you may be required to take classes outside of music and your general education requirements. Music Education majors, for example, will likely have to take classes in sociology, general education, and more writing-intensive classes. They also are required to complete practicum, which is time spent in the local public schools observing music classes taught by a master teacher. If you’re a performance major, you’ll likely have to take math, science, foreign language, and other academic classes to fulfill your degree requirements.
You will need to read and respond to your emails promptly. Good communication between you, your professors, and your classmates is key to having a great college experience. There will not be leeway for missing assignments or rehearsals because you didn’t read your emails! Not only is this important for college, but this is important for everyday life after college. If you’re a performer, but don’t communicate well with the people who are hiring and working with you, then you’ll likely won’t be hired again in the future. The music world is really small, so make sure you’re taking responsibility for your own professionalism.
Finally, ask for help often! Transitioning from high school to college is a big deal. It can sometimes feel overwhelming to be on your own for the first time, meet all these new people, and find your place in the community. However, every college offers a ton of free resources to support you along the way. Many offer tutoring services for music theory, writing skills, academic classes, etc., ongoing counseling and mental health services, academic advising and planning, and career services to help you find those internships and jobs. Your professors will also be in your corner and want to see you succeed! Start developing strong mentorships with your professors–they will likely become lifelong friends and colleagues after you graduate. Never be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling!
How can I start preparing for this in high school?
Just like becoming a great musician, preparing for this big transition to college takes practice, too.
Take private lessons on your instrument if you can. By learning from a pro, you’ll likely avoid making technique or musical mistakes a habit by trying to learn them on your own.
Get into a good practice routine at home. I know that there’s probably a lot going on with homework, extracurricular activities, and family obligations, but by routinely carving out a half hour to an hour of practice a day, that will help you feel more prepared going into your college auditions and eventually, being a college student. (Homework and extracurricular activities also don’t go away in college!)
Take a music theory course and basic piano lessons.
Perform alongside other people who are better than you at your instrument. Join a top-notch youth ensemble, audition for all-state ensembles, form a quartet or chamber ensemble, and do side-by-side concerts with professionals. You’ll learn so much by just being around people with more experience, and it might give you that extra motivational push to get better at your own craft!
Go to concerts, or watch concerts online! Listening is a major skill in music (and life). Learn more about the music you love by seeing the local orchestra perform a symphony. Take advantage of masterclasses and other performances by visiting musicians. Start getting a sense of what a professional ensemble sounds like.
Being a college music major is so much fun and a huge growing experience. You’ll discover new passions, make music with your best friends, learn from some of the greatest artists out there, and learn about who you are as a musician and person. Remember why you love making music, and you’ll have a great time in your program. I’m rooting for you!
Not working with me yet? Feeling stressed about your college search? Let’s chat.