By Karen Kerr
Choosing a music major is exciting, but it can also bring up a lot of questions. You know music is what you want to study. But should you focus on performance, composition, songwriting, music production, education, or something else entirely? And how do you know which path will give you room to grow?
We hear these questions from students and parents all the time. Parents want to help their students find a program that makes the most of their talent, while students may still be discovering where their interests and abilities could take them. There can be a lot of pressure to get this decision right, especially when college is a significant investment.
Here’s what we tell families: you don’t have to know exactly where your music career will lead before you choose a major. You do need to look beyond the name of the program, ask good questions, and find a school where you’ll have the right opportunities, guidance, and room to develop as a musician.
6 Steps to Choosing a Music Major
1. Start With What You Want to Study
Before comparing music schools, think about the kind of music you want to make and the work you want to do.
Are you drawn to performing, composing, songwriting, producing, teaching, or the business side of music? Maybe you have several interests and aren’t sure which deserves your focus.
You don’t need to have everything figured out yet. Start by identifying what excites you, what you’re good at, and what you’d like to explore further.
If you’re still discovering your options, browse the Inside Music Schools Music Major Guides to see what different fields involve.
2. Look Beyond the Major’s Name
Two colleges may offer the same music major but deliver very different experiences.
Performance programs may emphasize private instruction and ensembles. Composition programs may offer opportunities to hear your work performed. Music production and audio engineering programs can differ in their balance of creative work, recording technology, and technical training.
Look beyond the title to the actual coursework, faculty, and hands-on opportunities. The details will tell you much more about whether a program fits your interests and goals.
3. Evaluate the Program, Not Just the College Name
A well-known school isn’t automatically the right school for every musician. What matters is what you’ll learn, who will guide you, and how you’ll be able to develop your skills.
Faculty and Mentorship
Who will you study with, and does their expertise align with your musical interests? Faculty backgrounds and teaching approaches matter, especially when you’re looking for a mentor in a specific discipline.
Curriculum
Look beyond required courses to see which skills you’ll develop and how much flexibility you have to explore a second interest. Some programs make it easier than others to combine disciplines.
Performance and Project Opportunities
Find out what students actually get to do, from performing and having original compositions played to producing recordings and collaborating on projects. Prioritize hands-on opportunities over impressive lists of facilities or activities.
Facilities and Technology
For production and engineering students, access to studios and equipment matters. Ask how often students use these resources in coursework and projects, rather than judging a program by its facilities alone.
Collaboration and Professional Experience
Look for opportunities to work across musical disciplines and collaborate with other students. These experiences can reveal how a program prepares you to apply your skills beyond your primary area of study.
These experiences can help you discover where your skills fit and what you might want to pursue after graduation.
4. What If You Have More Than One Musical Interest?
You might love performing but also want to produce music. Perhaps songwriting interests you as much as music business. You don’t necessarily have to give one up.
Depending on your goals and the college, a double major, minor, concentration, or carefully chosen electives may let you combine interests. Each option comes with different requirements, so find out how the programs fit together before committing.
Music degrees can involve demanding schedules, including private lessons, rehearsals, ensembles, and other required coursework. The goal is to find a combination that makes sense for your interests and future, not simply to fit in as many subjects as possible.
5. Connect Your Major to Your Career Goals
You don’t need to know exactly where your music career will take you. But it helps to consider the skills you’ll need and the kinds of work you want to explore.
A student interested in composing for film might benefit from studying composition while gaining experience with recording and music technology. Someone drawn to performing and the business side of music may want a program that supports both.
Think about the direction you want to move in, while leaving room for your interests to evolve. The right major should help you build relevant skills and explore meaningful possibilities beyond graduation.
6. How Can Parents Help Their Student Choose?
You can help your student research options, keep track of deadlines, and ask practical questions. But one of the most valuable things you can do is help them think through what they want from their music education. That can be challenging when you’re unfamiliar with music school admissions or when your student has several interests and possible career paths.
Talk about what excites them, where their strengths lie, and what they’d like to learn. Then look for programs that support those goals. An honest assessment of their current abilities can also help you understand where they stand and what they’ll need to do to become a competitive applicant.
For more guidance, read How to Find the Right Fit Music College for You.
Find the Right Music Major and the Right Schools
Choosing a music major isn’t just about picking a subject. It’s about understanding your strengths, interests, and aspirations, then finding an educational path that brings them together.
That’s where Inside Music Schools brings a different perspective. Steve and Karen help students uncover what makes them distinctive as musicians, clarify their goals, and work through questions such as whether to focus on one discipline, combine interests, or pursue a double major. Sometimes, the best path becomes clear only after someone who understands the music education landscape asks the right questions.
From there, IMS recommends music programs that align with the student’s abilities and ambitions, taking into account faculty, curriculum, and the opportunities each school offers. The result is a more thoughtful approach to choosing both a major and the schools where a student can pursue it.
Start exploring with our Music Major Guides, or learn how our Music Admissions Strategy helps students and families identify best-fit programs and navigate the admissions process.
FAQs About Choosing a Music Major
How do I choose the right music major?
Start with the kind of musical work you enjoy most and the skills you want to develop. Then compare programs based on curriculum, faculty, practical opportunities, facilities, and flexibility. Consider how each program supports your interests and potential career directions.
What is the best music major for a future career?
There is no single best music major for every student. Performance, composition, songwriting, music production, education, and music business support different interests and career paths. The right choice depends on the work you want to pursue and the training you’ll need.
Can I study more than one area of music in college?
Yes, depending on the institution and its program requirements. Some schools offer electives, minors, concentrations, double majors, or dual degrees. Students should review the workload and course requirements to determine which combinations are practical.
Should I choose a music major based on career opportunities?
Career opportunities are worth considering, but they shouldn’t be the only factor. Think about your interests, abilities, the skills you want to develop, and the opportunities each program provides. A well-matched program can help you build a foundation for your intended direction while exploring related interests.
Karen Kerr
An accomplished professional with over 28 years of experience in higher education, admissions, and recruitment, Karen has always made her goal to find the best-fit school for student musicians. Most recently, she served as the Director of Admission and Recruitment at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where she was responsible for recruitment, auditions/interviews, and admissions of all undergraduate and graduate applicants. Prior to joining the Frost School, she was part of the admissions staff at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance where she reviewed applications at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.