Welcome to Gaia! ::

I struggled with the performance/education question for a long time. Because I'm primarily a vocalist, there is quite a lot of competition out there (as opposed to be say, an oboist). So I'm getting into conducting. Not only do you get to be involved in performing, you get to teach at the same time!
I am also not interested in teaching grade or high school, so I'm aiming for a masters or phD in music, so that I can teach at the college or university level.
Most of the music performance majors I know are not making their living performing.
The ed majors I know ARE making a living as teachers.

But in the end, do what you love!

I didn't read everyone's responses (because I wanted to address your issue directly rather than get sidetracked), but I'm sure you already know music ed students teach in public school's only. I'm sure you are also aware that just because you have a bachelor's in music performance (which is what i'm getting right now) does NOT mean you MUST perform (though it gives you more credibility should you want to).

Many music performance students go on to medicine law, and even MBA degrees. I really wish people, including music majors, would stop confining us (and ourselves) in this box that say because I majored in this I must now do this for the rest of my life because I have no other transferable skills. And BTW, being able to work in a group, pay attention to detail, be self-motivated/self-guided, give direction, and know when to follow as well as inter-personal communication are ALL transferable skills that music majors gain.

Even within the wonderful world of music there is a wide array of work, not just being on stage. Should you pursue music as a career (which is what I intend to do) know that your career won't look like everyone else's. Whereas most people will have vertical career (working up that corporate ladder) yours will be (or at least should be) horizontal should you want any success.

As a violinist I know that I will literally be competing with everyone and their mother o simply "performing" is shooting myself in the foot and setting myself up for failure. I want to (eventually) form a quartet (my strength is in small ensemble--i know i'm not cut out for nor do i desire a solo career); i also want to teach privately for a legitimate organization (maybe even my childhood music school); set up a scholarship for innovative young string players (who think outside the classical box); and eventually become an entertainment lawyer (the working world for musicians can be so shabby, I don't want to see any of you guys taken advantage of); I also dream of playing on broadway (which is why i study in nyc). Don't confine yourself to a "typical" label of performer especially when you're seeking a degree that encourages creativity. Be creative w/ your career and life.

Best of luck, friend. =)

OK! this is coming from a music education major's perspective. go for the music education degree. you can perform ANYTIME YOU TO WITHOUT THE PERFORMANCE DEGREE a performance degree in my opinion is pointless. but what you can do, is earn a music ed degree and go for a performing certificate...... but please do not do the music performance degree

I've pretty much decided im going to do an education degree, and then do the extra work to get the performance degree as well. (I didnt know you could do both until recently) Thanks for all the comments about it. Im really glad we really can get both though. 3nodding

Where I'm at, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, I can major in both music performance and education

NYU doesn't allow a double major in performance and MusEd because the requirements for both overlap too much. Kel, I'm happy you've finally decided. I wih you the best of luck. And Good Luck to all my other music cronies on the boar whee May we all inspire the world with our musical talents.

NYU offers a degree for music therapy, but, again, it's not the most fiscally feasible choice if you're on a budget. Although I do hear that music therapists will be in high demand as the baby boomers retire. So, you'll never be out of work there. And yes, violin is a competitive instrument to get in anywhere on. I only got accepted to half the schools to which I applied for violin, but I think some of it had to do with my GPA as well so...

There's always the option of applying undecided and then switching into whatever program you want. neutral

Well, you want to perform, so perform!

For me, I've definitely decided that Music Education is the way to go and that I want to be a band director. Before this last fall semester, I thought a bit differently. I thought that Performance was what I truly wanted to do, but I had to go with Education because I didn't have the ability to be a performance major...

But last semester I finally came to terms and realized that my lack of skill, is not because I fail and lack the ability, I looked back and realized that in middle school and high school I never did practice much, and I never did learn to perform for myself or anything, and that is the root of all of my problems.

This worked together to once and for all take me away from even wanting to be a Performance major and to tell me that I NEED to do Education. I realized what happened to me, why I was able to "fall between the cracks", not practice much and not meet my full potential. I want to help make sure this doesn't happen to others that might fall into the same situation! I know it can't be that rare.

Also I really want to be a band director specifically. I'd love to direct a marching band as well and do marching shows as well.