Jeff B asked:
Hello All,
I’m currently a junior looking into prospective colleges, like most any other junior would at this time of year. I am planning to take the double major route, my first major being in Biology (for Pre-medicine). I would like my second major to be music entailing. I’ve considered Music Education for a long time, but, in ten years, I see myself conducting a prominent community/state orchestra. I want to become an Oncologist (Cancer Doctor) and a Conductor, not an Oncologist and 5th grade band teacher.
My main question for you is what major do you believe would best arrive me at my dreams of becoming an oncologist and a conductor? Music Education, General Music, Etc…? Also, what schools, in your opinion would be best for this route (New England Area)? I’ve looked into Roger Williams, Ithaca, Boston University, Etc. I plan on Johns Hopkins for Graduate School!
I do realize conducting is a graduate course, but I obviously would not want to take anything else on while in Med school. The major that you suggest would only be studied in undergraduate school along with my Bio (Pre-Med) course. I greatly appreciate ANY insight!
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{ 3 comments }
5th grade music class
Stick with a general music major, music theory or something along those lines. Music ed won’t prepare you for conducting grad school. Music performance or even musicology would be okay, too, just make sure you take as many serious theory courses as possible along with whatever conducting courses are offered by your school.
Any paid conducting position will require a masters.
The best undergrad major leading to conducting is Music Education because you will need to know every aspect of music.
But being a music director/conductor is not a side hobby that you can be just by getting a degree. It will take time, dedication and passion to hone your skills train under an experience conductor. You will also have to have experience playing with all different instruments. You don’t have to be excel in playing them, but you do have to understand what is involved if you will be directing other musicians.
Since you will spend the next 7-14 years after undergrad in medical school and residency, there will not be much time left to devote to getting yourself into the level of an orchestral conductor.