business major/music minor?
Question by SH0RTiE. <3: business major/music minor?
Now is the time to fill out college apps, and I am kind of thinking about what I really want to do with my life. I was wondering if it majoring in business with a minor in music would be sensible. I really love music (particularly vocal but I would like to learn instrumental, like piano) and I really want to pursue a career centered around music. However, a degree in business allows one a wider spectrum of jobs to choose from, so I’ve heard. Anyways, my main question is: Is it possible to major in business and minor in music? & Are there any job opportunities for that major/minor combo?
I’d like to start my own business in the music industry but if that does not work out, would I still be able to obtain a normal business occupation with this combination?
I’d really appreciate some feedback and advice.
Thanks 🙂
Best answer:
Answer by Soulmate
it sounds like a fine idea. Consider your level of playing ability and how important security is to you. If you are a beginner musician, you’re going to have to work VERY hard to catch up to a college level of ability. If you can’t stand wearing a suit and having to be at work at 8 or 9 am, you probably don’t want to be a biz major. If you think you want to be a musician, consider that when you’re thirty, all your friends will be buying houses and new cars and you may be struggling to make ends meet. This is the reality for most musicians; unless you are Vegas-lucky, you are not going to be rich and famous. You’re going to teach music or have a day job unless you really don’t want to be able to afford that nice guitar and amp, or that baby grand, or the coolest new synth, etc. On the other hand, if you do buy a house, you’re not gonna be able to leave to go play on the cruise ship for $ 2000/month, or go on the European tour that doesn’t pay squat but is fun with your buddies. If you have that biz degree, you’ll have a better day job than most musicians have. But you may be the suit who has a nice axe and can’t play it, who knows that the guy in the mailroom can play rings around him.
That said, there are plenty of famous musicians who managed a day gig AND got to be great players. One of the greatest guitarists of all time, Wes Montgomery, sold insurance for a living precisely because he didn’t want to have to play “torture gigs” to feed his family. The famous sax player Andrew Hill (I think it was him… heard the story long ago) worked in a bank until he got his musical career off the ground. Tom Scholz, founder of the rock band Boston, worked for Polaroid for over a decade before he hit it big with the first Boston album.
Bottom line, follow your heart, and try your hardest at whatever you decide to do.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!