What to do after highschool?

[wafflesomd]

I'm graduating from Highschool here pretty shortly, in a couple of months, and I'm not sure what I want to do.

I'm kinda stuck between a few things. Now bare with me, the terms I use will probably be pretty broad, and I'm not sure what you would exactly call them.

1. Tuba, would love to just play this darn thing the rest of my life. I know the local college I'm attending has lessons, and ensembles. This summer I do plan on getting a job at UPS, as I need to lose some weight, get in shape, and get some cash. I'll be renting out a rotary valved tuba. This whole summer will lead up to my second tryout for the Blue coats drum and bugle core.

2. Computers. I dont care what it's in, but, I've always had a knack for them. Linux would be pretty fun to get into, not sure what part of linux, but linux lol.

3. Audio engineering? Yah, idk what you would call it, but one of my friends who graduated a couple years ago has been in this sorta thing, setting up for concerts, raves, you name it.

Here's my main issue.

Should I go for what I know I will be good at, and pretty secure for a job after college. Or should I go for what I love. I know being a musician can be hard sometimes, and I'm not sure they make that much.

I've been playing tuba for 6 years now. So far, I've been pretty darn good at it. One thing that bothers me, is that every kid I see leave highschool and go off into music, has been really liked by my current band instructor. They've all been above my level before they left highschool. I kinda feel like I've been cheated out in auditions for chairs a lot. There are two tuba's ahead of me chair wise, seems as though our instructor likes to play favorites.

My parents seem to want me to go into computer's, which is annoying. If I even mention music they try to take me off the subject, so obviously it's not what they want, but I don't want to dissapoint them.

Im really leaning towards tuba, and music, but there's always this little voice in me asking "what if I'm just not good enough".

This is a tuffy for me.

 

[rockin_amigo14]

sounds kind of like me, except I play sax. I want to study Music Production and recording. It qualifies you to be a sound engineer, in addition to things music related, production (of course), plus you can always be a teacher.

 

[Mrvile]

Have you applied to any schools yet? Most people I know have already been accepted and know where they're all going...

 

[fordgtlover]

There are two ways you can view this.

The first is that if you train for a job that has high employment, you can get a job and then continue with your other interest - and you have some money to live on because you've got a job. If your interests became serious enough and you get good enough at them you could transition from your old career to your new passion.

The second option is to follow your dream, and realise in 5 years time that there are either no jobs, or the money is poor etc, etc , etc ... And then realise that to get a decent normal job you need training. So, while holding down a part time (or full time) job that probably pays minimum wage, you go back to night school to get a qualification. By the time your 30 you'll be qualified. And in the place most people were at 23 - but you probably had a great time, met some cool people, got lots of stories and had some pretty good life experiences.

It's worth remembering that if you do your passion 40 hours a week it is a job, and there will be times when it truly feels like it. Drudging to practices, working late into the night, driving long distances to gigs, dealing with idiots in the music industry etc, etc, etc.

It's never too late to follow your dream - but if you do with an education behind you, you have some thing to fall back on. The reality is that the world want fewer tuba players and audio engineers than software engineers.

This view is based on personal experience and on 20 years of observing those who took the various paths.

Whatevere you choose, it must be your choice. Make informed choices and don't regret them. But you must be prepared to accept that your choice at 18 was maybe not the right one.

Good luck.

 

[micaela]

This is a kind of way out there thought - but have you considered the military? I"m not sure what the state of the military music programs are now, but at one time performance in wind ensembles for the military were a pretty good deal. It might be an option that would be open for you even after a couple of years at college while you get closer to knowing what you want to do. You really don't have to know exactly what to do yet. You still have a couple of years to go to school, play in the band on scholarship (hopefully) maybe major in computers or perhaps in music - but taking a lot of general ed classes at first as you make up your mind.

 

[lutwey]

go to community college take all the general requirement there then decide.(save you lots of money too)

 

[Computerpro3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordgtlover /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are two ways you can view this. The first is that if you train for a job that has high employment, you can get a job and then continue with your other interest - and you have some money to live on because you've got a job. If your interests became serious enough and you get good enough at them you could transition from your old career to your new passion. The second option is to follow your dream, and realise in 5 years time that there are either no jobs, or the money is poor etc, etc , etc ... And then realise that to get a decent normal job you need training. So, while holding down a part time (or full time) job that probably pays minimum wage, you go back to night school to get a qualification. By the time your 30 you'll be qualified. And in the place most people were at 23 - but you probably had a great time, met some cool people, got lots of stories and had some pretty good life experiences. It's worth remembering that if you do your passion 40 hours a week it is a job, and there will be times when it truly feels like it. Drudging to practices, working late into the night, driving long distances to gigs, dealing with idiots in the music industry etc, etc, etc. It's never too late to follow your dream - but if you do with an education behind you, you have some thing to fall back on. The reality is that the world want fewer tuba players and audio engineers than software engineers. This view is based on personal experience and on 20 years of observing those who took the various paths. Whatevere you choose, it must be your choice. Make informed choices and don't regret them. But you must be prepared to accept that your choice at 18 was maybe not the right one. Good luck.

Generally, sound advice I think. I am 18 and a senior in high school choosing to pursue a career in piano performance (accepted on scholarship everywhere and will be attending Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music). But I feel that it is also worth mentioning that for a select few people their dream does come true, for whatever reason. True, the world may need more software engineers than musicians, but the world DOES need top-flight pianists tuba players, and always will. While it is true that the majority of people who attempt a carrer in performing arts will fail to be hugely financially successful, there will be those who are successful. But once again, there is not many. Do you believe that you are one of those people? Do you *know* you are?

I guess my point is this; to be truly successful at something, especially something as cutthroat as the music industry, you have to truly believe in yourself. Not just pretend to or try to, you need a deep-seated confidence that you will succeed no matter what happens. I can't quite explain why, but I fully and completely believe that I was meant to play piano. Too many things have happened for me not to believe that. Sure it's a possibility that I'm not, that I will be injured tomorrow, or literally anything else. But I also believe fully that I have the capability to adapt to whatever life throws me. Equally as important, I have a new car, zero debt, no college debts to worry about thanks to the scholarships, and plenty in savings. Were I to fail, it would simply mean a year or two spent learning a skill which I will use the rest of my life anyway. Financially and emotionally I'm in a position to take a shot at a dream. Are you?

If you are meant to play tuba for a living, you will know it. It's a sort of vocation, really.

 

[fordgtlover]

^ Certainly shows a level of maturity beyond 18.

You do have to back yourself in life (who else will?). The degree in Music sounds like an approach to pursue your dreams while still getting a degree. I had friends who did double degrees in Australia (don't know if that's an option in the US), combining music and psychology/language/law/commerce etc.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Hmmm... we've got some stuff in common. I played tuba through high school and undergrad, worked for UPS in college and have been into Linux for almost five years. I also came close to trying out for a DCI group, but was severely limited for time. So I like you already.

I loved playing, but wasn't good enough on tuba for performance. I also play bass clarinet, and got encouragement from a music teacher and a couple pros to pursue it further. I didn't. I'll get back into a community orchestra sooner or later, but I don't have any regrets about not pursuing music.

Instead, I had a great time playing sousaphone in the college marching band and bass clarinet in the community orchestra. Because of that, I made friends with a lot of performance majors in undergrad. Thing is, it's a tough way to make a living. I know one guy who plays professionally, a few more who play theme parks, one in the military (band), and the rest became music teachers. If you want to play in an orchestra, the chairs are very, very limited. Also, the Hollywood session players are few and an exclusive bunch.

Not that teaching is a bad thing in the least. I'm jealous of their time off, for one. But there are a lot of other options out there for you.

At the least, get yourself into community college and start knocking off your GE requirements. Then transfer to a 4 year and finish a bachelor's. You just have to. Over the course of the GE classes, you should get turned onto something you like. If you really want to major in music, go for it, but set yourself up to get a credential "just in case." Personally, I think that learning open source and getting a CS degree is a good way to go. A couple close friends have done that and have been successful. But get yourself in school, first. It's the best way to go.

Oh, if you decide to join the military and they tell you they'll put you in a band, make sure you get that in writing before you sign. I've seen a couple people get assigned to something very different than what the recruiter orally promised.

 

[rb67]

I strongly suggest you get a degree of some sort. You may start off with a computer degree but end up somewhere else (maybe music or something related to sound engineering). The point is going to college isn't going to keep you from playing your tuba. If you love it enough, you will find time to practice although it may not be the focus of your life for the next 4 years.

It is really hard to get back into the school lifestyle after you've been out of it for an extended amount of time from my talks with many many people. Get that degree while you're still in the pattern then branch off to professional music should you decide to. It won't make much of a difference waiting for 4 years to get into professional music if you practice. It will make a difference if you try to go back to school after that length of time.

 

[NightWoundsTime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wafflesomd /img/forum/go_quote.gif 3. Audio engineering? Yah, idk what you would call it, but one of my friends who graduated a couple years ago has been in this sorta thing, setting up for concerts, raves, you name it.

This is a tough field and I'll give you my limited advice about getting in. The single best way to get into this kind of job is to just start doing it. If you're interested in live sound then find a local club where you like the scene and start asking around about working in the booth.

If you like the idea of audio production then get in a band, set up a home recording studio and start putting some recordings out there.

I took the university route to audio engineering and I'll tell you right off that it was worthless. I was basically a dual major in music performance and engineering. There was very little hands on time in the school's recording studio, and we were told regularly that the audio recording was dead. Home studios were taking over and the large studios were shutting down. Instead we were encouraged to move towards design positions in the audio industry. Problem was I was still taking a huge courseload with music performance classes and all that other junk.

I'd still strongly encourage you to get a degree, but the music industry is all about spending a lot of time and money to get familiar with recording or live sound technology.

For an example of a modern "success" in the music world who worked this way, look into Phil Elverum, of the Microphones. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Elverum

He had a homebrewed approach to making his own records and now he's somewhat well known and works within a great community of musicians. He's not a superstar but I think I'd be happy in his position.

 

[Contrastique]

That sure is a hard one! I think it's best to follow your way in what you like to do. After highschool I didn't know what to do and decided to take a year of and thinking it all over. You are so young at that age it is impossible to already know what you wanna do. In the beginning of that year I started working to get some money and photography came on my path. I decided to do study it parttime since I hate going to school fulltime. I now work in a detailist photography store and aways surrounded by hardware wich I totally love. Still studying and hoping one day to make a full living out of it. And if I don't succeed in doing that, that will be ok for me to because I can do what I really want to do: and that's photography. So the point in this story is to follow your own path! Don't worry about dissapointing your parents. If in the end you are happy with what you do so will your parents be! There are few people actually being happy with what they do for a living and I didn't like that so chose my own path without following people who wanted to decide for me what would be the best for me. (My ex-bf wanted me to become a nurse so I could make some real money...I laughed at him and left him not long after that!!) So do what your heart tells you...it'll be hard sometimes and I wish you all the luck figuring his out!

 

[zachary80]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutwey /img/forum/go_quote.gif go to community college take all the general requirement there then decide.(save you lots of money too)

Thats a good idea if you plan on going to college to earn a piece of paper with your name on it. And even if you do care more about the credits than the knowledge, make sure to check that they will transfer to other schools that you may be more interested in

I suggest playing it safe and getting a degree in something you're good at and will enjoy, and pursuing music on the side

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you applied to any schools yet? Most people I know have already been accepted and know where they're all going...

This is what I'm wondering as well. Most (college-bound) seniors have usually already applied to colleges by now (Applying ~Late Fall/Early Winter '06) and have heard back from a lot of them.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wafflesomd /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm graduating from Highschool here pretty shortly, in a couple of months, and I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm kinda stuck between a few things. Now bare with me, the terms I use will probably be pretty broad, and I'm not sure what you would exactly call them. 1. Tuba, would love to just play this darn thing the rest of my life. I know the local college I'm attending has lessons, and ensembles. This summer I do plan on getting a job at UPS, as I need to lose some weight, get in shape, and get some cash. I'll be renting out a rotary valved tuba. This whole summer will lead up to my second tryout for the Blue coats drum and bugle core. 2. Computers. I dont care what it's in, but, I've always had a knack for them. Linux would be pretty fun to get into, not sure what part of linux, but linux lol. 3. Audio engineering? Yah, idk what you would call it, but one of my friends who graduated a couple years ago has been in this sorta thing, setting up for concerts, raves, you name it. Here's my main issue. Should I go for what I know I will be good at, and pretty secure for a job after college. Or should I go for what I love. I know being a musician can be hard sometimes, and I'm not sure they make that much. I've been playing tuba for 6 years now. So far, I've been pretty darn good at it. One thing that bothers me, is that every kid I see leave highschool and go off into music, has been really liked by my current band instructor. They've all been above my level before they left highschool. I kinda feel like I've been cheated out in auditions for chairs a lot. There are two tuba's ahead of me chair wise, seems as though our instructor likes to play favorites. My parents seem to want me to go into computer's, which is annoying. If I even mention music they try to take me off the subject, so obviously it's not what they want, but I don't want to dissapoint them. Im really leaning towards tuba, and music, but there's always this little voice in me asking "what if I'm just not good enough". This is a tuffy for me.

Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ! i'm not the only tuba player at Head-Fi!

while i'm not even in high-school yet, i'm almost positive that i'll go the professional tubist path. what you need to do is create a resume: do you take private lessons? have you ever taken private lessons? have you ever been in a special ensemble in your school? have you ever been in an out-of-school ensemble (all district, all county, all state)? have you ever participated in a solo/ensemble event?

you'll make a better living getting a degree in music as opposed to trying out for a drum corps right outta high-school. and also, do you already have a nice piston-valve tuba? honestly rotary valves are overrated. i much prefer the action of pistons, personally.

it's probably too late to be auditioning for scholarships... if i were in your shoes, i'd practice my butt off for a year, save up money, and audition for a scholarship in a year. actually, i sort of was in your situation, except with a prestigious magnet school in place of college. i had just moved here to ol' Kentucky, and had half of a year to try out for the various private/magnet schools here. my last band director didn't give me good recommendations, probably because i'm talktative. so i pretty much had to man up and show that i was serious about wanting to get into the school. i kicked ass and now i'm pretty much on the path to a music conservatory.

and don't be discouraged if you think you aren't good enough. brass playing is easy. as the late great Claude Gordon always said, brass playing is no harder than deep breathing!
(those articles have really shot my tuba skills up by a lot)

tuba players are really hard to come by and colleges need them. however, it's still hard to get a decent job playing tuba. most orchestra players are horribly underpaid... a great fallback is music education if music performance doesn't work out. then again, most of the brass players i know that took music education have told me to just go for performance.

i'll just end my post by saying it more straightforward: if you're dedicated, you will succeed. if you don't have the willpower to practice 2 hours a day for the rest of your life, forget it. you have it in you, just extract it.