If you dream of singing, teaching, or conducting choirs, then you might be majoring in music or you’ve been watching too many episodes of The Voice. You were probably advised to pick a more stable career path—but here you are reading Classical Singer, so you obviously didn’t listen. As a three-time music graduate and a current professor of voice majors, I see the struggles of existing music majors and the infinite possibilities graduates face—from donning your Starbucks apron by day to specializing in Baroque opera by night.
There are many music majors who will fail theory and change their major or end up taking jobs that have nothing to do with the music industry. There is no single path that will guarantee success, but there are important aspects of studying music that will aid in your transition from student to emerging singer. I polled singers I know to find out what advice they would have now for singers just beginning their college careers.
When asked, “What do you wish you knew before you began your college music major?” most singers immediately began a dialogue about less than friendly competition, educational preparation, and job security. You might think that opera is a competitive field, but graduates will tell you that it’s not just competitive, it’s fiercely competitive. In order to successfully audition your way to paid gigs, you will need the following:
Resilience
-A teacher who will mentor you through the ups and downs
-A deaf ear for unsolicited criticism/negativity
-Friends/family/significant other (loving relationships)
-Colleagues to commiserate and celebrate with
-Money to pay rent and buy your burritos—“and you know guac is extra”1
-Commitment to continue studying
-Language coaches
-Acting coaches
-Audition pianists
-Collaborative pianists
-Enough piano chops to learn your own music
-Good mental health
-Did I mention money yet? You’re going to need it.
Consider the following reflective advice from graduates as you pursue your dreams in music, specifically in your vocal studies.
Warning: you are now entering the hindsight zone.
Competition
Several singers discussed the unexpected levels of competition in music programs and performing careers.
“Looking back, I wish that I knew the intense level of competition out there for singers. . . . I always thought that students wanting to be opera singers was a rarity, but was sorely mistaken in not only the vastness of competition but also the talent pool.”
“Competition is tricky in the singing world. Constantly comparing completely different voices, qualities, bodies, etc. What is the expectation? That we will suddenly meld into one freak voice? It’s incredibly confusing and frustrating for a young singer because being a singer is so incredibly complex. I find myself constantly riding the fabulously thin line that is balancing ego and humility. Positive affirmations disguised as narcissism to our fellow divas, who are also struggling with self-identity . . . we must all follow our path and not try to share an identical journey with our peers.”
“I wish I had recognized the support network I have in the college of music earlier, particularly the voice and choral faculty. I was so consumed by the competitive nature of my degree itself that I didn’t realize how much love and support we all have for each other at the end of the day. Sure, there are times for collaboration and times for competition, but I wish I had seen the separation of the two earlier on.”
Preparation
Many grads answered the question by wishing they had researched their school, their goals, and their degree before beginning college and evaluating their programs throughout their studies.
“I wish I would have known that this degree is almost impossible to achieve in four years.”
“Take chances! Mistakes are meant to be building blocks, not stumbling blocks. It’s OK to not know all the answers, but know and use your resources (teachers, library, Internet, databases, etc.) to find them.”
“At a school like mine that was dominated by instrumentalists, you can never guarantee time in a practice room. As a voice major, you better invest in a full-size keyboard. It will also come in handy for theory and aural skills practice.”
“I wish that before I began my major in music that I would have known to be more confident in myself. Entering into the school of music full of talented undergraduates as well as graduate students was overwhelming for me and hard for me to not negatively compare myself to others. It wasn’t until my last couple of years that I gained confidence in myself. I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world . . . being a music major maybe overwhelming, busy, and tough, but there is no other major I’d rather have!”
“I wish I would have known that you can say no! Conductors and teachers will demand everything from you, and many don’t care if it pushes you over your limit.”
“As a wide-eyed freshman, you want to believe that your hard work and talent will be all you’ll need to succeed at this degree, but just know that there are politics that existed long before you arrived. Do not be discouraged if you do not get into the top ensemble or rock out as the diva opera lead your first semester, because you have growing to do as a musician and an artist. There is always a game being played. Learn the moves, learn who is on your side, and learn what you need to do and whose Monopoly game piece you need to kiss to ‘pass go’ and get scholarship money.”
A singer that moved to NYC and is now doing film and theatre work wrote, “I wish I knew that if I wanted to pursue a career in music full-time, then getting a degree isn’t necessary. There are so many other alternatives. I think if I could go back, I would just independently study with a few different teachers and take it from there. My favorite thing about undergrad was my lessons.”
“I wish I had known how different everyone’s path can be. There can be an expectation that you’ll go to undergrad, graduate school, Young Artist Programs (YAPs), and then go to a program every summer. But there are so many other options! Sometimes, you need to take a summer and backpack across Europe to better understand art and culture. This is real life, and everyone has a different story. We can’t forget why we sing.”
Job Security
A degree in vocal performance will guarantee you absolutely nothing. Many grads wrote about wishing they had invested more time in a minor or created a “plan B” that would provide stability while pursuing their vocal dreams.
“I wish I had been advised on financial aid. The reality of student loan payments makes it almost impossible to freelance and continue auditioning.”
“Throughout college, I was always commended on my interpretation rather than my actual voice, but I pushed through and graduated because I was naïve and driven. Then I realized that I found the constant criticism (both from myself and others) and immense work sucked the joy out of singing for me, and I was no longer up for the uphill battle of trying to make a living with music. Finding a way to adequately support myself became more important, which led me to the military.
“I always tell people that after I graduated with a music degree, I soon realized that I enjoyed eating much more than being a starving artist! Unless you somehow become the
‘Renée Fleming 1 percent’ of the singer population, you should minor in music if you want, but be sure to major in something that you can get a stable job [in] that will put food on the table. My music degree ultimately resulted in seven years in the Air Force, and that was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“I wish I had taken time off between undergrad and grad school. If I had taken time to focus on lessons, take a church job, do some community theatre, or a summer program in Italy, I would have been more prepared for the demands of a graduate program.”
The Good Stuff
Many responses ended with the sentiment that given the opportunity, the graduates would do it all again. Here are a few of my favorite positive affirmations for music majors.
“The music department is not like other departments on campus. There is constant activity. We’re loud. Everyone is constantly talking and laughing—even during class. We have arguably one of the most difficult majors, but we’re going through it together. We spend so much time together, there is a real bond that makes it all bearable.”
“I wish I had met some of the faculty and staff before the first day of class as a freshman. I had no clue that I would be cared for by so many. I had always imagined professors to keep a traditional distance from the students, but most of my professors have been the complete opposite. My professors became my mentors and in my freshman year, the department secretary closed the music office to sit with me in the ER for several hours so that I was not alone—and she didn’t even know me at the time. It would have saved me a summer of anxious worry had I known almost every faculty up to the chancellor would be so welcoming and willing to help the students.”
Making a career in music is possible! There are many ways that singers can generate income while auditioning for opportunities to develop a performing career. What many young music majors do not know is how hard it can be. If you are not absolutely committed to your music and confident in your abilities, then a candid talk with your advisor is in order. Aspiring singers need a “plan B” that they love, because it is almost certain that you will need to work a day job of some sort in order to support your opera habit.
College is only the beginning of this incredible journey. We say on stage, “There are no small parts.” Well, there are also “no small jobs.” Take as many opportunities you can to build your network and earn more stage time. Successful music major grads work hard and learn to love the journey. So, go get ’em, tiger!
