Music has become so embedded into our society that it’s everywhere. We have it on our phones, in our cars, we hear it in stores and we even hear it when we’re placed on hold. But if you’ve ever wondered why a piece of music is pleasing to the ear, you might want to consider a major in music theory and composition. A music theory and composition major learns the language of music.
Education
A music theory and composition major most often leads to a bachelor’s degree. Overall, these students learn how music is put together and what makes it pleasing to listen to. You’ll spend hours practicing your instruments, you’ll speak and write about different kinds of music, learn how to use computer applications to write music, learn to recognize pieces of music by ear and listen to a lot of live and recorded music. Typical major courses include composition, ear training and musicianship, ethnomusicology, music history, music theory and performance. In high school, it helps to take courses like music history, music, chorus, band or orchestra and music theory.
Questions to ask
Be sure to ask if the program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. If you’re interested in performance, make sure there is enough room for all students to practice and rehearse. Are there good acoustics? If you’re interested in electronic music, ask if the program uses up-to-date equipment. Part of this major is to compose pieces of music — will you have the chance to hear your own compositions performed by student groups? What kinds of internships or summer programs are open to students?
Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a music director or composer made an average of $47,350 in 2012.
> For more information about majors and careers, visit NextStepU.com.
