things you need for college

[dmeacham5]

so one of my friends asked me what I would need for college for music ed and i had no clue, any tips on things that would be very helpful for college for music ed

[Tubajug]

A desire to teach and a good work ethic. Seriously.

[sloan]

a) tuition
b) alarm clock
c) open mind
d) discipline to do what is required
e) imagination to go beyond what is required (AFTER "what is required" is done)

[MikeMason]

A sugar mama!

[MikeMason]

Oops

[The Big Ben]

A mini-fridge full of beer. Make sure it is an automatic model. The last "mini-fridge full of beer" I bought in college was broken and wouldn't fill itself up. Found out it was a manual mini-fridge and I had to get a job to keep it filled. Bummer.

[WilliamVance]

A mini-fridge full of beer. Make sure it is an automatic model. The last "mini-fridge full of beer" I bought in college was broken and wouldn't fill itself up. Found out it was a manual mini-fridge and I had to get a job to keep it filled. Bummer.

How about a keg orator with a PIN code access pad so no one steals your beer while your in class (or passed out).

Seriously, I know it's hard for many to pin down what you want to do with your entire life when you're 18. Just go with it, do the best you can and don't be afraid to change course if you are having second thoughts on where you are headed after several months. Life's too short to be stuck in a miserable job just to makes lots of money or just to pay the bills.

[Ken Herrick]

Learn PIANO if you don't already play.
Practice sight singing and ear training.
These are essential skills which a lot of freshmen are deficient in, along with basic theory and harmony.

When you know the school you will attend, contact the private teacher you will have and get all the advice offered.

Going to university is more like a job than more high school. YOU must produce the goods, quite possibly with little guidance or assistance. . Work, not partying is what is required.
If you need to "work" to help pay the bills, try for something like being a helper in the band -and a good place to earn brownie points and scholarship assistance.

Practice living frugally and absolutely working your butt off.

Advice from others worth listening too. Main thing is that YOU are the one who will be responsible for succeeding.

Sorry about any typos etc. This phone doesn't like doing these posts.

[Michael Bush]

2nd major

Yes, this, or some other way of ensuring employability, is crucial.

If you do it with a second major, you also have to be ready for either five years or a few very busy semesters, because ME takes a lot of credit hours, with some things that are going to be required for the second major waived. So, for the second major, you have to take the classes that are waived for ME majors, as well as the ME classes they are waived to make room for. Not sure this is clear, but just be ready for extra classes.

One of my sons is majoring in M.E. and biology. He'll do his education classes for the biology side after graduation as a non-degree student if he can't get a music job. Pretty sure there will be biology jobs; music ed, not so much.

[we3kings]

Willingness to try to communicate with the professors of the fields that you aren't so great in.

[sousaphone68]

What college courses take in freshers in January?

[PMeuph]

Learn PIANO if you don't already play.
Practice sight singing and ear training.
These are essential skills which a lot of freshmen are deficient in, along with basic theory and harmony.

When you know the school you will attend, contact the private teacher you will have and get all the advice offered.

Going to university is more like a job than more high school. YOU must produce the goods, quite possibly with little guidance or assistance. . Work, not partying is what is required.
If you need to "work" to help pay the bills, try for something like being a helper in the band -and a good place to earn brownie points and scholarship assistance.

Practice living frugally and absolutely working your butt off.

Advice from others worth listening too. Main thing is that YOU are the one who will be responsible for succeeding.

+1

Also, if you are not use to writing out much music or that you are a naturally messy writer, I would suggest that you should hone those skills so that you are ready to start school. You will probably encounter a pedantic theory prof who doesn't accept poorly written assignments. Personally, I feel that lots can be gained by copying out a piece that you are learning. It will certainly help you learn it quicker and help you focus on the markings in the music.

[Biggs]

cash monies

[Jess Haney]

Just be prepaired to work and read and take classes that have nothing to do with what you want to do. Having a MINOR in a different area may not be bad, not necissarily a 2nd major. All you would have to do to get a second endorsement for teaching is 60 or so credits (varies by state) and a state certification test and your in. Take your lessons seriously and listen to teachers in the area about what employment is like. In the end the job will be very different than what the classes prepare you for. Real world knowledge and on-the-job training will be your best experience. But most of all have fun with college and dont get too freaked out and wrapped up in all the shananigans of education. But most of all remember the three best points of teaching....June...July ...and August.

[TubaRay]

But most of all have fun with college and dont get too freaked out and wrapped up in all the shananigans of education. But most of all remember the three best points of teaching....June...July ...and August.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand what your "most of all" point is about. As for the three best points of teaching, I had a career as a music teacher/band director, but I never had all of those three months off. July--usually. June--some of it. August--nope!

[Rick Denney]

...You will probably encounter a pedantic theory prof who doesn't accept poorly written assignments.

Except that "pedantic" is not an insult in this case. Being pedantic is the professor's job, and it is usually driven by passion.

Good teachers have cultivated and maintain, by choice, a love for the subject they are teaching. If you are easily jaded and burned out (as I am), don't go into teaching at the primary or secondary levels. I have enough trouble teaching adults in their chosen field, who too often display no willingness to be good at it.

Do not let the education theory crowd out what you need to know about music and music performance. It is your love of and respect for the music, and your genuine pleasure at the music being performed well by them, that will win the hearts of your students, not your applied education theory.

One of the reasons that professors are pedantic is that getting it right is important to them, because the subject is important to them.

Rick "on top of what Dr. Sloan said" Denney

[PMeuph]

...You will probably encounter a pedantic theory prof who doesn't accept poorly written assignments.

Except that "pedantic" is not an insult in this case....

Truth be told, I didn't intend it to be an insult. I have corrected enough undergraduate theory assignments to know that penmanship is essential. I have also had to apply an immediate zero policy on poorly written assignments to know that such a policy exists.

[Jess Haney]

But most of all have fun with college and dont get too freaked out and wrapped up in all the shananigans of education. But most of all remember the three best points of teaching....June...July ...and August.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand what your "most of all" point is about. As for the three best points of teaching, I had a career as a music teacher/band director, but I never had all of those three months off. July--usually. June--some of it. August--nope!

I agree with Ray on this one. MAYBE if you are an elementary music teacher, MAYBE if you are a middle school band director, you can get more off, but if you are high school, forget it. I will use my hometown (and state) band as an example.

Graduation is the last week of May. Beginning of June, we have the incoming freshman marching clinic. Generally the band directors are there full days.

June and first half of July--write drill, arrange (or have meetings with the arrangers), inventory of marching uniforms, equipment and repairs to be done to marching equipment (if not done prior), organizing summer band and activities, confirming contests, school bus trips to out of town football games, etc.

August....Summer Band seems to now start basically the first day in the month in many districts...so in the 7 weeks you have "off" from students, you basically have to do a lot of work.

I guess what I should have specified is what position and requirements of that teaching position hold. If you have a marching band or run summer camps then you will most likely be busy. But I know a lot of high school directors here in Colorado that do not have marching programs and have summers off. but the saying "the three best reasons..." came from a plaque my mentor teacher had in his office years ago. I was trying to be humorous..I guess unsuccesfully.

[sloan]

a) tuition
b) alarm clock
c) open mind
d) discipline to do what is required
e) imagination to go beyond what is required (AFTER "what is required" is done)

I almost forgot:

F) The Princeton Band

[ken k]

I WILL ECHO THE PIANO RECOMMENDATION.

Learning at least a very basic level of piano will help you in many ways in a music education curriculum. First it helps you learn the music theory, it will help you in you methods classes, and you will no doubt have to pass a piano proficiency exam somewhere along the way before you can student teach. So start taking piano lessons now before college if you have not already done so.

Due to the current climate in education, I would also recommend a second major, although it will no doubt add years to your college career. Music education programs are very difficult to get through in 4 years so as it is. Adding another major, even in education, will add to the requirements.

ken k