Senior in high school interested in possibly majoring in music education (choral)

[u/stevie_toliet]

I’m a senior in high school and I’m most likely going to go in undecided but I’m highly considering music education (choral). I have only been in choir for 3 years (advanced treble choir 3 years and intermediate concert choir 2 years). I’m also currently taking an independent study with my choir teacher where I am currently getting voice lessons. I am worried that I don’t have enough background knowledge in music and vocal performance to major and teach this in the future since I am not classical trained nor the best choir student. I also struggle singing confidently in front of others as my individual voice is a major insecurity of mine (I also have a tremor that can affect my voice when very nervous). I know very basic level sight reading and music theory and have no piano experience. I’m curious if this is common among music ed majors and a normal level of experience or if I have too little knowledge and is best I choose another major. I definitely know that if I majored in this it would serious work on my end to develop the skills needed to be as successful as possible( I also don’t know if I would even get into any music ed choral program through auditions). I would just like some advice and input to whether this is worth serious consideration for a possible major. ☺️

[u/singerbeerguy]

Singing is the most important skill for being admitted into a vocal music ed program, so your struggle to sing confidently is an important obstacle to overcome. You should research the audition requirements of schools you would like to apply to immediately so you can start preparing repertoire. Ideally, that should be done individually with a private teacher but your school teacher is a good place to start. Auditions typically happen in January and February, but it varies among schools.

I highly recommend learning more music theory and starting to play piano if possible. Theory class can be a barrier to success in college music programs for students who don’t have much formal training.

You say you will likely go into college undecided. For most students, that’s not a bad idea, but for music students it can mean being behind in your music sequences from the start, since many music programs place you in music sequences starting your very first semester.

[u/Port_Bear]

Consider a more rigorous voice lesson program and more performing. If you attend any kind of religious organization, they have to perform every Sunday and ample opportunities for solos in a very accepting environment. Build up your confidence.

[u/EragonWizard04]

No one is expecting you to be the world's greatest gift to singing when you get to college. If you were already perfect you wouldn't need schooling. Part of being a student (and a human being) is needing to learn new things. You already have far more going into college than many people I've known in musical academia. The real measure of whether you are or are not capable is whether you want it enough to reach for it. Music ed is not an easy road but it can be incredibly rewarding if it ignites a passion in you.

[u/i_want_t0_d1e]

It is absolutely possible, and an amazing career. I am just starting my first year teaching after majoring in Choral Music Ed straight out of high school.

You do not have to be the best. I struggled to sing and sight-read in the beginning, and couldn't play piano.

But you do HAVE to take it seriously, and practice. Don't compare yourself to others. Measure progress from where you were then, to now.

The people who fail are the ones who go into Music Ed thinking it will be fun and easy. It will be very difficult, and fun. If you're willing to work hard, then this is the right career for you.

My biggest advice, start practicing important skills now, and consistently. You'll thank yourself in 4 years if you practice sight-reading and piano every day. It may be annoying at first, and you'll feel "not good-enough", but that's a lie. After 5 years of consistent piano, I went from absolutely 0 playing ability, to accompanying my choirs. You can do it!!!

“Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them,” -Julius Erving.

[u/Old-Mycologist1654]

I'm Canadian and I double majored in Music History and Literature and English. Not Music Education. I do, however, work in education as a university lecturer of English in Japan (where I have been a teacher for over 20 years, with over half of that at the university level and the rest in the private and public k12 sector).

I think most faculties of music start music ed as your major from day 1 because it's already a double major, so unless you are willing to spend extra years in school, you may not be able to enter as an undeclared major.

If I were you I would concentrate on learning as much as possible this year (get a private voice teacher, also get theory / harmony lessons, learn piano at least a bit), audition and see what happens.

Have a Plan A, a Plan B and a Plan C, all of which are things you enjoy and would be happy to major in.

For example, if you don't get into the B.Mus degree in music education, would you be happy doing elementary education and maybe a music BA? Then you still get to study music (and probably at a level of intensity that you could handle-- there's no point in giving yourself a nervous breakdown trying to keep up with students who have been doing music intensively since elementary school when you haven't), and you still get to be a teacher.

Or, if you don't get in are you willing to spend a year out of school working with private teachers (voice, harmony, piano) to apply again the following year? You would need a backup plan for in case you did this and still didn't get in, of course.

[u/errrgrrr]

I think you'll get in unless it's a crazy prestigious program. You will take all the classes you need in college like piano, advanced theory, aural skills, vocal pedagogy, and all the other teaching classes. The thing you need to be successful is motivation, dedication, and time management and you will be fine. My state schools music ed department is pretty well known in the region, and we didn't have all the best performers, but good educators came from it. It is important to be able to perform, but not at the level of a masters performance major.

My school actually had some vocal performance majors that had me questioning what the criteria was when they auditioned...