In addition to having effective time management skills and mature, professional mannerisms, students who choose music as their college major need to master a variety of musical skills to succeed in their degree program. Throughout the program, students will regularly perform as a singer and/or instrumentalist, whether in an ensemble or as a soloist. They also need to understand written music and have the ability to write it based on hearing alone. Additionally, students must develop their skills to transpose music, which is shifting notes from one key to another, and to improvise, which is creating a variation on a melody.
Typical coursework for a student majoring in music includes general college classes like math or English and core music classes particular to their program. Depending on their chosen career path, students may take classes such as music theory, music history, orchestration, keyboard proficiency and performance ensemble. Students who succeed in these courses manage their time well and find a balance between coursework and daily instrumental and/or singing practice.
Students who enroll in music programs at college spend a lot of time practicing and honing their musical skills. With required performances at recitals and occasional classroom tests, every singer and instrumentalist must practice virtually every day to achieve success. Every flutist, pianist, violinist and singer puts in countless hours practicing songs, exercise methods and scales. Furthermore, students may practice in ensembles with other students, and they may also practice individually.
Successful music students need to have a clear idea of what career they want to pursue after college. Students who have a career focus can work on particular skills to develop throughout college. Some career paths include music educators, instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, sales retailers, voice therapists, disc jockeys and community arts administrators. Music therapy, wherein musicians play or sing during therapy sessions with disabled and/or elderly people, has been increasing in popularity as a career field. Additionally, some fields, such as collegiate level education, require postgraduate studies.