So, I’m a double major in English and Music. However, I don’t have any English courses this semester for two reasons:
1.) I took the Bypass exam the day before Freshman orientation and passed, clep’ting out of English comp 1 & 2, the required gen eds.
2.) Music has secret extra hours that pile in your schedule.
I love music very much, but the transition from high school music classes to college-level music classes was and is very intimidating. Why? I’m in the beloved Chorale, an audition-based singing group for anyone, whether you’re a music major or minor. The class is rather enjoyable, but we meet 4 times a week and only receive one credit. That’s a downer! Now, again, I’m not dissing the Music department. But I want to warn all those who want to have a degree in Music:
It’s not easy.
You might think it is, but believe me, it is not. And really, no major or no thing that you choose to do will be easy all the time. Some classes will trip you up and some semesters may be overwhelming. But I want you to know that you have to decide what’s worth the sacrifice and what’s not. For me, having a music in my degree is worth it. Why am I a double major? Why did I pick such a crazy combination? It’s what worked for me. Will it work all four years? Probably not. Will I change my major a time or two? Probably so. But that’s okay! I’m not worried about what others think of my schedule or how closely I’m following a blueprint. I’m going to do what I love and if that changes, then so will my major.
The Music department is pretty rad, though. Concerts are going on all the time and guess what? Sometimes different ensembles perform for Convocation. And you get credit! Chorale, which I mentioned earlier, does Church concerts at local and semi-local Churches. We’re always busy singing somewhere, or learning new songs, or practicing for those Departmentals!
What’s a Departmental, you ask? Let me explain…
Departmentals are an extremely significant part in the music department. Music majors and minors perform publicly each week songs that they’ve been learning and working on. It’s a nail-biter, but I’m excited to have the chance to improve my skills. Hopefully I’ll post some videos of a performance or two during the semester! Until then, I’m off to practice my first song, but before I go, if you’re really interested in being a Music major or minor, here’s a link to a video of me talking about a required class you’d be taking!
Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMnwCNRenKY&feature=youtu.be
♪ Goodbye, world, goodbye! ♪
