Advice for someone wanting to jump back in?

[SousaShark]

Hey, I'm new here, and I mainly joined to seek the advice from other tubist, and those that work in a musical environment.

When I was in highschool I knew I wanted to pursue music as my career after graduating, albeit I couldn't right off the bat. I had to move out of my home state to help my sister for a while, and now I'm in a position where I can move back to my home state, and pursue a career in music.

I'm 20 right now, fixing to turn 21, and I'm looking to get my bachelor's in Music Education so I can teach. Is there anything I should look for when trying to go to school? I know I'll have to audition (which is another reason why I found this forum, as I'm currently looking for a tuba that I can use to audition with), but what advice would you give someone looking to go to school for music from those that have done so?

[stewki]

1) Be prepared for lots of work to equal very few credits. You might have playing/singing courses that only meet once a week, but still expect you to put in the same amount of prep time as 3 hour courses. Nothing you can do about it.

2) Don't sweat the audition: it's important to put in your best prep time, but that's not the only thing that will be used for admittance criteria; grades in non-music courses will be important.

3) Don't sweat the tuba: as an ed major you are far less likely to be asked to buy a specific kind/pitch of tuba, but of course, check with the department in the school(s) of your choice, first!

4) Be prepared for a pant-load of fun and enjoyment if music is really your thing, as you will have plenty of opportunities to play. Good luck!

[MaryAnn]

Check the hiring record of the school you want to go to. If a high percentage of grads get jobs, it's worth it. If not....find somewhere else to go. Get certified in a second subject you can teach, like math or science, or sports coaching for sports that don't use the marching band.

[SousaShark]

Get certified in a second subject you can teach, like math or science, or sports coaching for sports that don't use the marching band.

That's actually good advice, and I'd played with the thought of getting certified in history as well, because besides band that was my favorite academic subject in school.