Careers in Music

Recently, a lot of people (my mom, my mom's friends, my piano teacher) have been asking me what I want to study in college and if it might be music. Sometimes, I have to tell myself, definitely not because of the competition. And besides, often, it seems like there may not be steady career options for music majors. However, the one music-related career that I've always wanted to pursue is playing in the orchestra of Broadway musicals. Ever since I was little, I've been seeing shows and playing piano. Consequently, I began to put these two together. Over the years, I've seen more shows that have the band onstage with the actors. For these shows, my attention is always drawn to the players, and in particular, the conductor, who is usually the lead keyboardist. This is the music career that I would want to most pursue if that is what I end up doing in college. The music I listen to on a daily basis is showtunes, and sometimes when playing showtunes on the piano, I listen to my iPod and play along and it really gives me the experience of the career even though I'm in my own living room.

I really like Louisa's idea of playing in the pit of musicals. Although I'm not very good on the piano, I would love to pursue a career in music. Being in my sophmore year of high school, I know that college is still a little ways away, but I have been asked what I want to do with my life. To be honest, I have no clue where my life will take me, or down what career path. However, music will be a part of my life forever. Whether I want to major in Musical Theatre or Dance, music will always be there. Having a career in music is a very tough career path, but I think there is always some sort of a positive outcome. Music can take you in many different directions, whether it's teaching in a high school/college, playing in the orchestra of shows on Broadway, or singing at Carnegie Hall. I would love to pursue a career in the arts because its what I love doing, and why spend your life doing something you dread.