Your question about what to major in is not one we can answer directly. It has so much to do with what you see yourself doing after you graduate, how much of that includes music, what genre/s of music, and what area or areas of music you are passionate about and envision yourself working in. Pianists and vocalists perform, yes, but they also work in many other areas, depending on their interests. And if there are other non-music-related areas you’re interested in – that, too, can have major influence on what you major or even double major in.

We recommend that you read as many of the MajoringInMusic.com career-related articles as possible in order to get a sense of the many ways one can work within the world of music.

We also recommend taking at least one summer music program before you need to apply and audition, and look closely at the application and audition requirements at any schools you’d consider applying to.

While these two career possibilities will require some skills unique to each, both will require high performance proficiency as well as the ability to play more than one instrument with that high level of proficiency. The pit orchestra work in particular will also require an excellent sight reading ability, because you’ll probably get minimal time to rehearse before performances. These are two skills that you’ll want to work on in order to audition successfully as well as work towards your career goals.

If you hope to major in music in college, now is the time to dive deeply into whichever of these instruments you’re strongest on and do all you can to increase your proficiency playing as well as sight reading. Both will be important for college music auditions. Any exposure you can get to some basic music theory will also be helpful for when you get to college but you will not be judged on your music theory background when you apply. Note that in college you can also take lessons on and play in ensembles in whichever instrument you don’t audition on – you never have to give that one up.

Take a look at this year’s Summer Music Camps & Programs – it would be so helpful to take a summer program next summer before audition season comes around. Most of these programs will be offered next summer as well, and the sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting financial aid if you need it. Our Summer ’24 section should be up and running by January.

We suggest you investigate performance, music production, and music industry majors. It’s possible at some schools to major in one of those and minor in the other. Be sure to look at schools where you can get hands on experience through internships and other experiential learning. Getting to work in the film/tv industries tends to have a lot to do with who you know so also look for schools that provide plenty of networking experience.

Music performance majors as well as music education majors all take music theory typically each semester in freshman and sophomore years. Check the required classes for each of these majors at any of the schools you’d consider attending in order to know what to expect.

It really depends on the school you go to and how good you are at managing your time. It’s possible to do both in 4 years although some students take up to 5. Look at descriptions of majors on websites of schools you’re interested in and then contact their admission offices if you don’t find the answers you’re seeking about those specific schools.

In order to be able to perform, you will need to start taking lessons on an instrument that you’re excited to learn. You’ll be spending a lot of time with that instrument, so take the time you need to explore different options. What appeals to you when you listen to music or go to concerts? An instrument store or a instrument “petting zoo” at local community music schools is a good way to explore different instruments. While you may learn how to play more than one instrument over the course of your life, in order to be really proficient, you’ll need to focus on one instrument for starters and have a daily practice schedule. Learning music theory and sight reading are also important, as is learning how to perform with others in ensembles or a school orchestra or band. Once you start to become proficient on whichever instrument you take lessons on, we encourage you to look at taking summer music programs to jumpstart your playing.

Every school has its own audition (and application) requirements. So check those for any school you’re interested in. Note that this is is very easy to do if the school is listed on MajoringInMusic.com.

Also think about why you want to major in music and what you’d want to do with it once you graduate.

As a newcomer to the violin, you would be vying for a spot along with students who have had lessons and have been playing for much longer. So you’d probably want to look for a less competitive school.

A great way to increase your playing performance proficiency is by taking a summer music program. Some still have room for beginners but act now to sign up.

And seriously look at private lessons through a community music school, community college, private studio, college, or perhaps a teacher at your high school – to get yourself on a strong practice schedule, get feedback, learn to play in the least injurious way for your body, and to see whether this really is the right path to pursue.

We suggest you read this article: What Can You Do with a Music Degree as well as this one: Entrepreneurship Training for Music Majors. You’re correct in thinking that there aren’t enough orchestra jobs for all the proficient musicians who want them, but there are so many other things you can do with a music degree if you don’t land a seat in an orchestra but do get the right kind of training. Music history, by the way, is a class you’ll need to take if you’re a performance major. Musicology is a more academic field of music that combines the history and cultural aspects of music. It requires a great deal of writing and research, as well as foreign language study. To teach musicology, you’d need at least a Master’s degree but more likely a PhD.

Have you thought about attending a community college to explore whether music is really the right fit? We suggest you look into that. If you do, also read this article about how to transfer from a community college to a 4-year school: Community College for Music Students