What will it take to become a music major?

Question

Im 14 years old and ive been playing piano for about 6 years. Once after a recital at church, the music director said i could make $40,000 a year part time playing the organ when i grow up so thats when i wanted to work in music. I started taking organ lessons and my teacher says i could actuallly be an organist some day so now i really want this and i just want to know if anyone could tell me what classes are like and what i have to do. im not a very good sight reader but i think im getting a little better. I practice for about 3 hours a day from what my parents say and i want to know how long professionals really practice a day. so if anyone could tell me where to go from here/

Answer 1

First, keep on going with those organ lessons, and the amount of practice you do each day. When I was 14, I definitely NEVER practiced for 3 hours a day, so I'd say you're doing fine. However, when I was an undergrad in college (as a music ed major) I rarely practiced for LESS than 3 hours a day. Of course, it's not all about the number of hours you log, but how efficiently you use the time.



Second, add sight reading to your daily practice regiment. Pick a book of music, a hymnal, etc, and just READ. Play these pieces slowly enough that you can be reasonably accurate, but DON'T STOP TO FIX MISTAKES. Just play. As one of my teachers used to say, "You only sightread a piece once. After that, it's practicing." When you get to the end of the piece, go on to another. 20 minutes out of your 3 hours will be time well-spent.



Third, I don't know any part-time organists who get paid $40,000, but I'm sure this varies greatly depending on your location and the size of your congregation. But, if you love making music, then the size of your paycheck shouldn't matter, right? (at least, provided that your paycheck is large enough to pay the rent and buy bread)



Fourth, join as many musical groups in your school/church as you can. Join the choir, even if you think you can't sing -- as a music major, you WILL sing, like it or not. See if you can join the band as a mallet percussionist, or something. The more musical experiences you have at this age will contribute to your well-roundedness as a musician.



Finally, take classes, go to camps, etc. Summer's basically over now, but next summer, you should plan on going to a music camp somewhere. I don't know anything about organ camps, but I'm sure there are some! Take music theory classes if your school district offers them.



Good luck!

Answer 2

You will need to get into a good music college! So - you need to be taking LESSONS from NOW!!!! Take at least an hour piano lesson each week from the BEST teacher you can find - one who is degreed, credentialed, etc. BESIDES piano lesson, continue study organ - actually, there are so FEW organ majors at many music schools, that if you study organ THERE (which means you should know the fundamentals before you arrive) then there *might* be scholarship money offered you!



$40,000 a year part-time means you are working for a LARGE congregation! You salary might hand there for quite some time. Here (NY state) a starting TEACHER makes this amount - and it goes up each year, with grad credits and experience. You can STILL have a church job on the weekends - many of us do.



You really sound like you have your head on straight!!! There are so many kids you age you are home this summer, and *whining* about how the *want to be discovered* - but they do not want to WORK at anything, or take lessons, etc. YOU are working towards your goal the RIGHT way!!!

Answer 3

I wasn't an organist, but I was a music major. Every college/university is different, but in general you will take the following types of classes:



1) Music theory - you learn the basics of how music is constructed. At my university, I took 2 & 1/2 years of theory classes.

2) Music history - studying the classics and the progression of music through time. I took 1 year of history.

3) Lessons - you get to study with a professor, private lessons. You take these throughout your course of study.

4) Ensemble - you are encouraged to join a larger ensemble, like the orchestra or band. As an organist, you might not quite fit into these groups, but there's always the chorus, too.

5) Composition - sometimes these classes are optional, but I took a semester of basic composition. It can be fun.

6) Instructional Courses - if you want to be a teacher, take some of these classes that introduce you to other instruments. Its really about learning how to teach.



I also had to take piano, but only because I am a flute player.



As for practicing, I think you are doing just fine. 3 hours would do me in (lip and finger fatigue) - just practice the basics (scales & exercises) along with the music you're working on.

Answer 4

I have known a lot of musicians who were a lot less dedicated than you sound like you are (including myself) who were accepted to various universities as Music majors. If you continue to practice, especially your sight reading, then you should be ready by the time you graduate.



I could give you a lot of the cliche answers about how you need to reach that point where you feel that your instrument is an extension of yourself, but you probably already know that by now. The most important thing I can tell you is what a University degree in music is going to do for you. The degree doesn't make you a musician. If you want to teach, the degree gives you a credential. If you want to perform, the degree tells the conductor/manager/whoever that you have studied for four (or five) years. What it will do for you, though, is give you an opportunity to learn under experienced musicians, some of whom you will have immense respect for by the end of your education. It will also expose you to music that you might not experience if you studied on your own or privately. Finally, it gives you the things that any other degree will give you,such as the ability to do research and meet deadlines.



Remember that organ is a much different instrument than piano, and being good at piano is a good start, but no substitute for study on an actual organ with a good teacher. If you do major in organ, I understand that Winthrop University in South Carolina is an excellent school with fine facilities for an organist, as they have one of the largest in the Southeastern US, made by Æolian-Skinner.

Answer 5

I would recommend to learn music theory and aural training. Both of these will improve sight reading and your hearing. I would also recommend that when choosing a major for college to look at music performance or piano pedigogy. There are a lot of great music programs out there. I wouldn't recommend practicing 3 times a day simply because you need a life and you're very young. Although you love playing, make time to do other things.

Answer 6

Join the choir at school, you could play the music for the teacher. also could sing and learn to read music that way.

In High school take all the music classes that you can

Get a tutor for sight reading.

You are young- have some fun

Answer 7

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