So Your Child Wants to Major in Music: 8 Tips from Dr. Ammerman

Today, Dr. A chats about 8 important considerations when your child decides he or she wants to major in music.

Dr. Angela Ammerman, President-Elect of the Virginia String Teachers Association, has been featured in the Washington Post for her innovative and energetic teaching style and was referred to as the first “music teacher prodigy.” Dr. Ammerman was named Orchestra Director of the Year by the Virginia String Teachers Association, has been recognized as “top teacher” in Fairfax County Public Schools, and currently teaches at George Mason University. Ammerman presents and conducts all over the country and mostly enjoys spending time with her new baby, David Michael. 

Dr. Ammerman loves working with parents and students as they navigate the world of the music major and would be happy to chat with anyone who has questions about studying music at the undergraduate or graduate level.

8 Considerations from Dr. A:

1. You can seriously do ANYTHING with a music degree. Rather than thinking of this degree as limiting, Dr. Ammerman recommends that you see all of the potential and flexibility of a music degree. Businesses across the country are actively seeking music majors as they are found to be disciplined, hard working, excellent thinkers, and creative.
2. Get your child a private teacher as soon as possible! Ask your school music teacher for recommendations today!
3. Reach out to the Applied Professor (private teacher at the university level – if your child is a violist, search the university website for the viola professor) at the university your child is most interested in. Schedule a mock audition with each applied professor at the various universities your child might attend.
4. Music Ed Specific – Find out when your child will get their first music education experience. Will they get to teach kids in their first semester? Or will they have to wait until their senior year?
5. How do admissions work at each university? Does your child have to be accepted to just the university? Or to the university and the school of music?
6. ASK ASK ASK ASK! Ask all of the questions you might have to the applied professor, the music education professor, or the school of music ambassador. They are here for you and your child and are always interested in what is best for your child (even if that isn’t to attend their university).
7. Geographic Location – How close is the nearest symphony? What performance and teaching opportunities exist and how close are they? Does your child need a car for this school?
8. What is the time commitment like? Will your child be expected to practice 8 hours a day? Is that realistic for your child?