Please do think of your voice as your instrument! College-level music schools offer auditions and programs specifically for voice majors.

In addition to performing in your school choirs, consider taking some private voice lessons as well as attending summer music programs to focus on vocal skills. This will prepare you for any serious pursuit of music in college. And yes, many schools do offer a music minor if music is not something you want to immerse yourself in. Many also offer the less music-intensive Bachelor of Arts degree in music. You’ll need to check whether that’s possible and what it entails at schools you might consider applying to.

We have a few suggestions for you.

1. Take a look at the application and audition requirements at schools you’re considering attending. This will give you good insight into what they are looking for in applicants and what you’ll have to do to be ready for those auditions. Note that liberal arts universities and colleges may not require an audition.

2. To strengthen your piano proficiency and sight reading if you do want to prepare to audition (both will be very important), seriously consider taking a summer music program. You’ll find lots of options by clicking here: Summer Music Camps & Programs.

3. Music majors need to study music theory. Learning some basic music theory will be really helpful BEFORE you go to a school to major in music. Look for summer music programs that offer music theory.

4. As you move forward into your senior year, think about your goal in double majoring and whether you’ll be up for all the work that will require. These articles will be helpful: Double Majoring with Music: Questions You Need to Ask and Dual Degrees, Double Majors, and Music Minors

We wish you all the best!

Take a look at the application and audition requirements at schools you’d consider applying to. We urge you to do this ASAP! If it seems you won’t be able to meet the requirements, another option would be to take classes at a community college that would give you transfer credits to a four-year school. No matter what degree you get, you can always take music electives and music lessons when you get to college. You can also sing with choirs, a cappella groups, and other ensembles even if you don’t major in music.

In the meantime, you can start taking music lessons now, online. No reason to wait. There are many good options to choose from. One that appears to be quite legitimate is Virtu.Academy. Let them know we referred you if you choose to contact them to inquire.

Between now and this time next year, figure out what your primary instrument will be if you want the option of applying to schools that require an audition. You’ll want to take lessons, have a daily practice schedule, and find opportunities to perform alone and with others. You’ll also want to work on your sight-reading. Summer music programs are a great way to bump up your learning, so start thinking about those as well. By January, our 2022 Summer Music Camps & Programs will be up – in the meantime, you can start looking at what was offered in 2021 since many of these will be offered again next summer.

There are other paths for studying music on the college level – liberal arts colleges with strong music programs, for instance. Or double majoring minoring, or taking music electives and joining choirs, ensembles, etc.

There’s still time to become proficient enough to audition for a music school if you can start taking lessons on an instrument you’re passionate about and create a really strong practice schedule for yourself. Summer music programs are also a great way to improve your proficiency, meet music mentors, learn music theory, and find out if focusing an enormous amount of time on music is the best way to proceed in college. Check out the summer music programs on MajoringInMusic.com – some are offered virtually, others in person.

We encourage you to do the following: read articles about studying popular music; sign up for a summer program in songwriting; start learning to play keyboards or piano. And visit the websites of schools with songwriting programs to find out what they require from applicants including their audition requirements.

Some schools require an audition as well as a portfolio demonstrating work you’ve done in the past; some only require the portfolio. It depends on the school. Then there are community college programs and some for-profits that you could actually apply to without having much of any background. Regardless of the programs you apply for, the fact that you have some musical background will be helpful.

You can learn more about the programs at the participating schools on MajoringInMusic.com by going to the “Find Schools That Fit Your Interests” section (homepage) and clicking on “Recording/Production/Technology. You’ll be able to learn what these schools require in order to apply and audition. Also read the articles on music production on MajoringInMusic.com. A new article is in process – should be up within a few weeks. These should help answer your questions.

https://majoringinmusic.com/music-production/

https://majoringinmusic.com/cool-careers-in-music-production/

See whether the school you’ll be attending is offering anything this summer. The Summer Music Camps & Programs on MajoringInMusic.com is another place to check – there are many such classes being offered online this summer.

You’re doing the right thing by going back to voice lessons. Be sure to find a teacher who can help you learn healthy vocal techniques especially if it’s your voice that was injured. You’ll want to set a healthy practice schedule for yourself as well. And any vocal music classes you can take during the summer will serve you even if you have to take them online this summer.

Every college or university is different. But start by taking a look at some schools you could see yourself applying to. See what their academic requirements are for applicants. At many schools, you will probably be fine with just the two years. But don’t close any doors of possibility until you’ve checked further. You can also use the forms on the school pages on MajoringInMusic.com to ask questions of any of these schools. And – do read this article: Prepare to be a College Music Major.