What Is a Music Performance Degree?
The music performance degree is a degree that specializes in areas of music performance such as vocal performance, guitar, piano and jazz performance. This degree can be offered at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels and it is useful for music performance careers.
Benefits
The music performance degree offers credibility in some career fields. For example, if you receive a doctoral degree in music performance, this can help you if you decide to teach music performance courses at a university. It also gives you the opportunity to learn from established musicians who may teach at your school.
Time Frame
The time frame for earning a music performance degree depends on what type of degree you're getting and the school. The bachelor's degree program lasts four years in general, the master's program is about two years and the doctoral program could last four to six years depending on the school.
Features
After enrolling in the program, you spend the first two semesters working on your non-degree-specific courses and the rest of the years are spent on the degree-specific programs. For example, you would spend the first part of your college years studying English and the sciences then study your music courses later.
Types
There are various concentrations within the music performance degree program and they vary by school. One student may focus on jazz guitar while another student may take mostly courses in vocal performance.
Considerations
Not all music careers require a music performance degree. For example, there are musicians who already have experience in childhood musical recitals or playing in the high school band and often enter the music industry through hard work, practice and sometimes the help of talent agents.
Schools
Certain specialized schools like Berklee College of Music offer music performance degrees, but not all schools will offer this type of program.
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