Is Your College Music Diploma Going To Do You Any Good?

Try this 10 question quiz.
Printable version:
Answer each question, Yes, No, or Partly.
1. In general, can you see how your effort in your music classes is going to pay off?
Yes    No    Partly
2. Will you be coming out of college with direct links to employment?
 
Yes    No    Partly
 
3. Will you be coming out of college with a clear sense of what the music industry needs and wants?
Yes    No    Partly
 
4. Will you be coming out of college with a clear and developing sense of who you are as an artist, and what are your beliefs about yourself, the world, and your art?
Yes    No    Partly
5. Are you convinced that there is such a thing as a music career?
Yes    No    Partly
6. Do you know what having a music career will likely mean for you?
Yes    No    Partly
7. Do you know what having a music career has meant, or will mean, for others such as your classmates or alumni?
Yes    No    Partly
8. Do you know your industry, the Canadian music industry, such that you know the numbers, the history, the key people, the connections, the major companies old and new?
Yes    No    Partly
9. Do you know your local music scene such that you know the numbers, the venues, the history, some of the key people and businesses?
Yes    No    Partly
10. Are you aware of the needs and the opportunities in your local music scene?
Yes    No    Partly
 
Analysis:
 
First, look at your “NO” responses. Those are the red warning lights. You need to figure out if it’s because you have your head buried in the sand, or your college music program is lacking some important content, or perhaps you just don’t give a damn.
 
Second, look at your “PARTLY” responses. That’s where your learning curve now lies. Make a list of simple items that will move you one step closer in those areas.
 
Third, look at your “YES” responses. Pick one or two and write it down along with some details or comments about it. The beginnings of your music education journal.
 
Share this with other music students and keep the conversation going.
 
glen@hamiltonmusician.com
 
 
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