Should One Study Music and if so, Why?

An important decision like choosing a university degree, can be a bit of a struggle. An idealist would insist that anyone should study the subject they love. It may seem an easy choice for someone who has a strong love of music. However, it really depends on what your ambitions are. Do you simply wish to learn all you can about the subject, regardless of whether it leads to becoming a professional musician? Maybe you want to become a music teacher. Think about what the best route to becoming a professional musician really is.

For some, the eventual career of the music student is not important. It is believed that society benefits from more informed and discerning people, whether they be professionals. The real value and originality of new music can be accurately assessed by students of music. The knowledge, itself, is enough for some people. One must also be aware that many different positions can benefit from the skills and knowledge from a graduate of music. At the same time, though, there are few people in general who will pay any attention to the musician's opinion of music. The philosopher, Walter Pater, once said, “All art aspires to the condition of music”. This is most likely true because of such strong emotions that are created by music. Music appears to affect the listener in a deep way whether they have studied the piece or know anything about music theory. The immediate emotional evocation is the envy of other artistic mediums. The downside of this effect is that everyone makes themselves an advocate of the music of their taste and a critic of others. Many uneducated people will argue the case for the music of their own taste and are unable to recognize if it actually has any merit, or even if it is virtually plagiarised from something else. There is no way for the graduate to persuade such a person otherwise. Therefore, the superior knowledge of the music student is of no use in this case.

Perhaps the route to becoming a musician depends on what kind of musician you are and what you wish to become. The opportunities and contacts made at university often leads people to a successful career in popular music, no matter what subject they actually studied. The creative environment and atmosphere at art school has been of benefit to many popular artists. A technical course on music production can be another route into the industry and to become an artist later.

In conclusion, think about what you hope to achieve during university study and beyond. A degree in music is sure to open your mind but is no guarantee of a career as a musician. At the same time, a degree in another subject does not rule it out.