So You Want to Be a Music Major?

In this video veteran music educator and composer, Dr. Scott Watson, draws on his more than three decades teaching and music-making to share six things students can and should be doing if they are seriously considering majoring in music in college.

You want to be a music major? PLEASE watch this video. Maybe you're already doing all six things! But maybe you have some work to do to ensure your success in one of the most rewarding, collaborative and creative professions.

Wishing you all the best as you prepare for your future!

[animalisaa]

Wow, thank you! This video was very helpful. So, hopping on the bandwagon: I’ve decided to major in music with an emphasis on flute performance. I was in band, marching band, choir, community choirs, church, etc. I tried to be involved in music in those ways. I have a love for music that massively helped me to get through high school. I guess what im struggling with is I’m nervous about what being a music major entails. I know it takes a lot of work, and one should be sure if they choose it that it’s what they want to do, but i am just not totally confident in my abilities and if I’m up to the task regarding talent and preparation. I’ve never taken any rigorous private lessons, but I’ve been told I have potential despite my lack of professional instruction. As a well-renown and I’m sure well-respected musician do you have any words of advice to someone who feels they are diving into the unknown with a blindfold on?

[carolin]

I am so mesmerized with people who are so determined with one thing. I want that too.
God bless you all and may you find your calling!

[kailove]

I like what he said about band rides and competitions. It is SO important ( current music major). Don’t become a music major if you just casually like music. It’s hard and no where near an easy major

[vanguard]

im 42 and have decided to achieve a college music degree and become an elementary and/or high school teacher. i love music and kids and hope this can bring my two passions together to make a living doing something meaningful and thankful towards God.

[gabby]

Thank you! This video gave me some confidence I needed to pursue a career in music. My mom is supportive of me but I have trouble supporting myself when I think of financial stability. I’m glad to know that I’ve been doing things right so far by having already doing what you said!

[Mollymch]

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I needed to hear.

[arikayemusic]

you have been INCREDIBLY helpful! On a side note, you look extremely similar to my math teacher 2 years ago. epic

[stephanierossmusic]

Thank you so much for this video! I AM a music major, in my 3rd year of comm. college. All my teachers and professors ever advise are the tips mentioned in your video. Everything listed is what I’m told to do daily. I was highly encouraged to participate in recitals and ensembles even when I was in a role I felt that I was too advanced for. Your advice about self analysis is really spot on! I love how you said music is a collaborative field if you intend on being alone, because I did intend on being alone but it really doesn’t work like that and being inviting to change! Great tips! I will use This video as a guide for myself cuz I can definitely use it

[sopranoclarissajessy]

Found this very helpful for me! I’m entering a music school as a singing major this year. Thank you so much for the information! Keep being our inspiration Mr. Watson!

[FnafFanHellYeah]

I really needed this video... I’m a saxophonist look to make it my career. I always hear different things from different people, and I never get a clear view of what I should do to prepare myself musically for college. I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to be a professional musician, but I don’t know how to get there, but you made the path I want to take a little clearer! Thank you so much!

[Phillyhillbilly]

As a Philly-boy, I can detect your regional accent. Often do I wish we had influences like yourself back 60 years ago. I started working on my music career too late, but still fun and I hope I can help younger folks. Best to you!

[anghelopanchi]

I am finishing high school and I released that I would love to study music in Austria, specifically in Vienna. Now, after watching this video, I'm totally motivated, I will trust in my skills and work really hard. Thanks a lot for your words!

[felixsahetapy]

Im going to prepare a music test from college hope i can make it, this video help me 👍👍

[miyahs_music]

Very helpful video. I'm 16 and I attend a performing arts High School. I'm currently a vocal major and really wanted to study music and voice in college so this video has really made me take some initiative and contact my music teachers and really pick there brain to get as much information as possible to choose the best school for me. Thanks again :)

[erinarevalo]

You’ve answered all of my questions. Thanks so much! I know what I need to study now.

[markhaddad]

I'm currently a junior in high school and I want to be a music major, most likely music education. I play the piano, and I really love the information you gave. This is really the one true thing I can work hard everyday on and enjoy it. I'm getting myself out there, and I'm playing for so many things: I play for my choir, school musical, church, and even started playing percussion for symphonic band, as well as piano for jazz band, as well as take any chance for any solo recital or collaborative gig that comes up. I even teach music theory to the students in our drama department as a TA! It really is my passion and I love what I do, but it's just hard when my parents aren't fully supportive. They want me to focus more on things like the SAT (which I really despise because it's SOOO boring), and study more (even though I already have straight A's in AP classes) and are worried that I won't make enough money with this career path. The point is, I am doing everything I can to pursue the path I love, but my parents seem to be the only thing hindering me. Any advice?

[resonance]

Im a freshman Highschooler, ive been hardcore in love with classical music ever since i was a choir student in elementary, as a 5 year old i literally had my mom play classical pieces for me to dance to, i was a fan of Beethoven and chopin lol. Im a flute player, and Ive been in varisty band for two years now, i do my best to keep my grades no lower than a B, and ive had my private lesson teacher tell me im ahead of all my other freshman flutist. Im crazy about music, i cant seem to drop it, i really dream about being a musician, i constantly participate in competitions and region things too :) on november 14 theres an event im going to called “music major for a day” i get a hint of what the life is like of a music major at sam houston state uni, just for 5$, i get a lesson too and we learn about scholarships, auditions, and admissions, i get to meet the flutists in it too. im so happy, i dont care how hard it is, the hard work it takes just makes me wanna do it more, it sounds so fun, so ive came to this video for tips and entertainment

[dylanle]

Thank you for this video theres lots of great information here

[chipiturkstrend]

hello!
I'm from mexico. late 20s, I've never been more happier that when I'm listening to music, watching films because the score, I'm not a grrat guitarist but when i play I'm so happy and feel so much relief, joy, and happiness.

i did some semesters in Law school, i dropped. then i tried Paramedic school, i dropped too. i studied english as 2nd language and have a good job thanks to my English knowledge.

Honestly, after all these years, I don't have the guts to say and do what i really want to do.

i remember when i was 13, i told myself, parents and friends that I wanted to learn to play guitar. i did it! and i got in in Music College, but i left the school due to time and money. i remember i said at High School that i wanted to study music. to have a career in music, not fame or like to be a stage performer, but a teacher, composer instead.

life is to short, unsure, and also life is to long to live it with regrets.
maybe hitting another year in my life, is finally waking me up to be who i always wanted to be.

i found a college that have the career of Music and Teaching Degree, with piano as your instrument. i want piano. i have always love the idea of learning to play it.


I'm such a nerd for music. i wake up and sleep singing, thinking about music.
I'm those kind of people that needs support to trust in our own decisions and beliefs. i must learn to be my own support and find my trust in me.


hope others that are going through same thing, can find themselves sooner than me and be happy!

[williamholland]

I have put three years into a BS in cybersecurity with a Music minor, and I have always had a passion and love for music. Playing clarinet currently at my university, taking private lessons and doing the most that I can with my time constraints. I have played the instrument for 12 years, and I'm struggling to decide if it would be better to take my pursuit of music into a separate Bachelors degree following the completion of my current degree, or just keeping music as a hobby. I have always been told that I have the upmost potential, and I fully believe that I have the capability to put my all into music. I always had a good balance of school and music, but now it seems like although I have my work set out for my degree, I can only ever listen to, think about, cling onto, live, and breathe music. I have the passion, but I'm concerned that there aren't as many financial options out there for what I'm attempting to do. If you have any advice, please let me know!!!