Music Career Advising

Eric Branscome is assistant professor of music and coordinator of music education at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. He is also the author of Essential Listening Activities, Essential Rhythm Activities, Music Board Game Workshop (Alfred Publications), and additional research in elementary and early-childhood music curriculum, music teacher education, and music career advising.

• Part 1: Introduction and OverviewIntroductionChapter 1:Congratulations! You’re NormalChapter 2:Career Advising and Personal ObservationsChapter 3:All About YouChapter 4:Music Career TrendsPart 2: Music Degrees and Related Careers Chapter 5 Bachelor of Music in PerformanceChapter 6Bachelor of Music in Music TheoryChapter 7Bachelor of Music in CompositionChapter 8Bachelor of Music in Music History and LiteratureChapter 9Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music Chapter 10Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Chapter 11Bachelor of Music in Pedagogy Chapter 12Bachelor of Music in Musical TheatreChapter 13Bachelor of Music in Music Business/IndustryChapter 14Bachelor of Music in Electrical Engineering/Recording Technology.Chapter 15Bachelor of Music in Music TherapyChapter 16Bachelor of Music in Music EducationChapter 17Music Librarian Chapter 18ConductingChapter 19Instrument Repair Part 3: Concluding MaterialAnnotated Bibliography

Over time the number of college/university music majors has remained low. Designed for pre-college readers, this volume by Branscome attempts to counteract this situation by preparing students for college-level music study and succeeding careers. Arranged in part by the different types of bachelor's degrees that one can earn in music, the book outlines musical, business, and personal skills necessary for success in the various careers available to music majors. For each degree, the book describes the courses generally offered, the types of careers that graduates generally go into, the availability of jobs in those areas, and the general locations for those jobs. Branscome treats careers in music librarianship, conducting, and instrument repair in separate chapters. The information he provides should prove helpful to those contemplating music as a college major, high school counselors, and parents. While Branscome provides sound advice, he fails to point out that the skills developed through the study of music can be mapped to any number of careers outside of music, particularly those that require a degree of creativity, the ability to think abstractly, or the need for intense concentration. This volume is a welcome resource for college and career planning. Summing Up: Recommended. High-school students, first year college/university students, counselors, and parents.