leskayc@a... wrote:
If Kate (my 17 year old soon to be senior ) majors in > voice performance in college, what will she eat after graduation? She really > loves music and is very talented soprano. She acts, dances, and has the > looks. She would love to have a crack at REEALLY performing-but we all know > you gotta have a day job........................Plus, she definitely wants a > husband and kids in her future. > > SO, what is a good road to take? A double major?
In answer to your first question....I majored in piano performance in college and got my degree. For various reasons, I ended up not making music my occupation. I went into the Federal civil service, starting from the bottom (clerk-typist) and working my way up to a very responsible and rewarding position (a Human Resources professional). I've never for a minute regretted that I majored in college in what I most enjoyed, and having the professional training in music has added to my life immeasurably. Music performance on a mostly amateur (though accomplished) basis (though I do get paid from time to time), has been a major part of my life, and I am very happy with that level of music-making.
So, in my view, your daughter should major in what she loves, should give it everything she has, and should discover for herself what role music and performance should play in her life after she gets her education. There are no guarantees - no matter what you end up studying. So by my values, ya might as well put the effort into what you love. I met a young man once, very bright, who ended up in a prestigious college, studying engineering. He was a senior at the time, had done engineering for the good career and income it would give him, and at the time I talked to him, he regretted not having done a liberal arts degree as an undergraduate. He felt like he'd lost a great life opportunity.
Husband and kids.....there are many careers to be made in music or any other field with which husband and kids can happily co-exist. There's plenty of time for you daughter to work all of that out for herself in the years to come.
If it were my daughter, I'd tell her to go for it, and support her as I'd support any child in advanced education in any academic discpline - to the extent of my financial ability.
Peggy
-- Margaret Harrison, Alexandria, Virginia, USA "Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile" mailto:peggyh@i...
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