Would a degree in music production or music business be practical in any way??

[PeacefulChaos]

Just wondering.  They caught my eye lol…  but if you've seen my threads, you know how I am regarding wanting to get a degree but never knowing what to get it in!!!  :D  It would be music related, which ups the appeal for me.  

I just have no idea what someone does with those degrees….or if it's anything that would be worth my time in all practicality.

[Spryte]

DH works with many people with those degrees. He was in production, now has moved on but still has those connections and works in the field. I think it was probably helpful during the hiring process, but then it would depend on what types of jobs you are hoping to land, later. Many of his colleagues have other degrees as well, but those specialized degrees are nice if you know what you'd like to do.

[Catwoman]

I think you need to have a specific goal or career in mind before you start working toward such a specialized type of degree. Otherwise, you could get halfway through it and decide it's not for you, and end up with a bunch of credits that won't transfer into a different degree program.

[Mom in High Heels]

Well, yes, if you want to later join the Army like James Bond did, because there were few jobs for people with his degree (Music).  Just kidding, but sadly, this was true for him. Our niece just graduated with a degree in music as well, and has applied for several teaching jobs, but there are so few with school budgets being cut.  She has decided to take on a few private students for piano, obo and clarinet, but that doesn't bring in a lot of money.  

 

Music production may have more opportunities, but I know many people from college who got various degrees in music, and only 1 who actually works in the field.  I was a theater and English major (as were most of my friends) and I only know 3 who work in the field right now. Two work on New York (one as an assistant costumer on Pippen, which recently won several Tony awards) and one as the house manager of an Off-Broadway theater.  The 3rd works in Atlanta at a theater as the asst. house manager and part time stage manager.  The rest of us...not so much.  I did work in theater for a while, but mostly teaching children at theater camps and weeks and on a few productions (2 where it was volunteer work).

 

I'm not saying this to discourage you, but to let you see the reality of getting an expensive degree in the arts and not having many opportunities to use it.  It makes me sad, because music and theater are important for development, IMO.

[Crimson Wife]

Yes, but for a single guy/gal, not a mom of 3. My brother has a degree in Digital Music Technology & Production (or something along those lines) and has had a good career as an AV engineer. However, a lot of those jobs require the holder to be free to tour around with a band (what he's doing now). There are some studio jobs, especially if you live near LA or Nashville. However, there is a LOT more competition for studio jobs than for tour jobs because of the stability (you don't have to find a new job every 6 months or however long the tour lasts) and ability to go home every night rather than travel.

 

ETA: I completely forgot this, but my brother did work for Bose in MA when he first got out of school before he moved to LA.

 

Also be forewarned that the degree requires a fair amount of math. It's a type of engineering, even if a more applied one than most.

[Beth in OH]

Dd #2 is pursuing Music Business (Performaing Arts Management at her school).  She chose the degree because of her background and interests.  She has interned with a talent management company and radio placement company.  She also studies classical performance and has a band that performs live in the Chicago area.  The for-profit music industry is changing so rapidly that you need to figure out how to create your own job.   The non-profit music industry has the typical underfunding of the fine arts problem.

 

Many of the programs dd considered required the student to audition on voice or instrument.  The auditions were competitive.  In her current program, dd will earn a BM (performance track minus a few requirements), which will basically include a minor in business.  I'm sure there are a number of different ways these programs are structured.  Be sure the program itself fits your skills and interests.  

[Crimson Wife]

Many of the programs dd considered required the student to audition on voice or instrument.  The auditions were competitive.

My brother did have to audition on his instrument (bass guitar) and take a bunch of theory & performance classes even though he was not a performance major.

[KungFuPanda]

You guys are scaring me. I have a high school junior who REALLY wants to get her degree in film AND stage production. Will she have ANY hope of making a living? Should I push her to add advertising or something to that package to make her employable???

[FaithManor]

Yes, but for a single guy/gal, not a mom of 3. My brother has a degree in Digital Music Technology & Production (or something along those lines) and has had a good career as an AV engineer. However, a lot of those jobs require the holder to be free to tour around with a band (what he's doing now). There are some studio jobs, especially if you live near LA or Nashville. However, there is a LOT more competition for studio jobs than for tour jobs because of the stability (you don't have to find a new job every 6 months or however long the tour lasts) and ability to go home every night rather than travel.

 

ETA: I completely forgot this, but my brother did work for Bose in MA when he first got out of school before he moved to LA.

 

Also be forewarned that the degree requires a fair amount of math. It's a type of engineering, even if a more applied one than most.

Many people are shocked to find out that this is a hybrid degree of music performance and engineering/applied technology. Not only is there a fair amount of math, oft times through calc two and sometimes calc four depending on how competitive the department, it also requires music theory, history, etc. auditions on your instrument or voice if that's how you are trying to gain admission to the music department, and performance hours...significant hours...are required. So, you'll be hanging out with the choir, the band, the orchestra, the jazz ensemble, the flute choir...

 

At a competitive school, you'd need to be VERY proficient on your instrument in order to gain admission.

 

The math and technology plus engineering credits would apply to other math/engineering majors most likely if you switched. But, the music stuff won't get you anywhere on another major. It's kind of it's own animal.

 

Don't go into teacher ed, at least not if you live in the Midwest. Due to budget cuts, most schools are cutting their music departments and believe me, in the Midwest music always takes major hits before sports loses so much as a penny. It's ridiculous. I know a gal that is teaching band in three different middle schools and trying to juggle that insane schedule but gets no benefits because she's only "part-time" at any one of the three. NUTS!

 

My degrees are in piano performance and music education. During the course of my career, not only did I do a LOT of performing which meant traveling (I'm semi retired from it now because this is not conducive to full time homeschooling), I also picked up coursework in music therapy and ended up informally working as a music therapist through my music studio...ie. I catered to students with serious learning issues, or in need of specialized "physical therapy" that involved music for relaxation/lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety,  and learning to play an instrument was part of the therapy recommended by their specialists. It was a very unique music job. That said, for those that work inside institutions such as hospitals, juvenile detention centers, physical and occupational therapy rehabilitation facilities, etc. it requires a master's degree and this is a hybrid of four areas of emphasis...music performance, music education, medicine, and psychology. Since I was approached by desperate parents to see if I would be willing to try with their children, my coursework is actually piece meal...mostly odds and ends classes I picked up at Michigan State when they still had their program and in some instances to save money, audited instead of for credit. I don't have the M.A., so I can't work in a medical facility. I don't know who still has a music therapy major...maybe Cincinnati School of Music.

 

At any rate, if you don't want to travel fairly constantly or your proficiency on instrument of choice is not at a very high competitive level, you may not be happy with the music production degree.

 

Faith

[unsinkable]

SUNY schools offer Music Therapy...Fredonia and New Paltz.