math/science + music

KSF2990 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: math/science + music

I am wondering what sorts of majors of careers people have found for someone who is into math/science and also music. Throughout high school I always enjoyed my math courses and also physics, but I decided that what I really wanted to go into was music. I just finished my first year in college as a music education major, and while I liked the program, I miss the other parts of academia. Since I was young I always expected that I would go into some sort of engineering. I've been thinking about getting back on that track and having music as just a hobby, but I'm wondering what other options are out there that I may not have thought of. Anything you can think of would be appreciated, you never know what might catch my interest! Thanks all,

Ian
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pfeifela · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

Ian,

.....kind of a neat program at Miami (BS Music Engineering)
http://mue.music.miami.edu/degrees.php

...maybe consider acoustical design and engineering, audio engineering, electrical engineering, or pursue an Ed degree in music AND mathmatics - and teach either or both.

Here's some links to subjects connecting math and music.
http://www.math.niu.edu/~rusin/uses-math/music/

Design a mouthpiece that gives me a snow melting double C

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trumpetess · Regular Member Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 68

KSF2990 · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks Larry, I'm checking out those links right now.

If I were to get into designing mouthpieces, or horns, how would I get started? Are there appropriate degree programs, or is the best bet to find somebody to apprentice with?
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1973? King Silver Flair
2008 Lawler TL Flugel
1954 Conn 80A

cjl · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

As a math major, I had lots more freedom to chose courses and more time for taking extra courses. I took lessons, music theory, and played in as many ensembles as I could.

But - this was in the late '70's. I wouldn't recommend someone getting a straight math degree these days --- you need to study something that leads directly to a job.

I would suggest studying computers perhaps (which is what I work in). You could work toward a music production degree, maybe? Or just take a couple of extra years and get a double major in music education + something science-based. A band director who can teach math might be a big plus.

-- Joe

MWizzle · New Member Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

wow, I could not be more similar to you. I pretty much share the same history as far as liking physics/math in high school, choosing music, and finishing my first year of music education. A good example of this type of person is Nick Drozdoff, bachelor's in electrical engineering, teaches physics at a high school and plays gigs on the nights/weekends, or what I imagine to be the perfect life. I am choosing to change my major to physics, started taking calculus II over the summer and I couldn't be more happier with the switch.

trumpetess · Regular Member Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 68

Come to think of it, a teacher in my school teaches general music, piano, guitar, AND math - and she was originally a flute player. Shes pretty much considered a member of the music wing, but teaches math classes also - long story short, it's been done and seems to work.
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pfeifela · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:25 pm Post subject:

Ed Lee · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:20 am Post subject:

My BS in Education was with math and science major, instrumental music minor but I found law enforcement paid the bills better at the time ... especially so as I found in teaching that I also had to be a cop. Still starting in music didn't pay the bills either but I've found I still enjoy it.
--- Ed Lee

Capt.Kirk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 2516

I agree that you need to either get a double major going or get something else besides Music Degree. I mean really how often do you see anything in the help wanted section for someone with an Acoustical Engineering Degree! All I am saying is that you need to think about what you will do to pay the bills because the chances of music doing that directly right out of college are slim to none! Not enough opening in the musical fields and too many people competing! Stay away from general Business Degree's as well! I have a Business Degree in fact I double majored. So I have one minor and two major's. The Applied Science Aviation Technology was my minor and Business Administration and Marketing where my majors! I did not start out that way though the average for a college major change when I was in school was 8 times. Right now in Michigan I could not steal a job with my business degree's too many people can do that type of work even those with Engineering Degree's!

Right now the things in demand are in Health Sciences,Legal,and Advanced Computer Engineering fields. Their are shortage in many hands on fields like Machine Technology Tool and Die etc..... but inspite of the shortages no one is hireing them so avoid those area so no Manufacturing Technology type degree's or Materials Science Degree's. Their are no jobs in the USA for these type of degree's right now! Short of Teaching I can not think of what one as yong as yourself could even do with a Music Degree! It might as well be a degree in Philosophy!
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lh · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

If someone makes career decisions based on the current job market, and ignores his passions as well as the transitional nature of a 21C workplace, he will be preparing for a job that may not satisfy him, or may not even exist when school days are done.

Likewise, if one is currently out of work, and has time, resources and/or motivation to retrain, preparing oneself for a career that may not yet exist in its present form may be the best decision you can make.

I laughed in that know-it-all way at my niece's decision to major in "digital media" when she went to university several years ago. There were no jobs, and little evidence to recommend a course of study that was so ill-defined when she began. The world became very different during her years at university. The day she graduated, she was hired at one of the biggie tech firms for more than I currently make in a great job, with several degrees and 30 yrs experience.

It is quite possible that the best thing to do with the advice of others is to ignore it and chase your dream.

lh

oliver king · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:

I started in music performance and found that radio wave propagation and communications engineering paid the bills. That career behind me, my focus has been in music education. When I am done (with this portion) I will have a dual certification in Music and History/Social Studies with a teaching endorsement for Junior High.
The foundation we get from the study of music makes us smarter no matter what the application. Those areas of the brain that we exercise in the study of music strengthen our ability to discern patterns. That same foundation lends itself to higher math, science, and foreign language skills. The practice of music fosters co-operation and civility; it demands that we practice that first rule of democracy ... to listen to our neighbor no matter what he or she is saying AND to make sure that what we are saying is true, correct, earnest and thoughtful.

Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable. - Luther
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Ronin · Regular Member Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 17

I live and work in Ann Arbor , MI,where the Univ of Michigan is located at. As you know U-M has one of the top ranked Music Schools, as well as a top-5 Engineering School. I know a lot of Undergrads who are pursuing dual degree programs, say,like Saxophone Performance Major( at the Music School) and Electrical Engineering( ta the Engineering School). Others are majoring in Math/Physics/Biology , while also studying for a Music Performance degree.
It can be done. So, look around the University you currently are at, talk to your academic counselors,and see if you can add a major in the math/science/engineering field, in addition to pursuing t he Music Ed major you are already in.
Best of luck.
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jdfuchs · New Member Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

I'm also in a similar situation. I am a math major right now, but I'm still taking lessons and playing in lots of ensembles. (Although I will be a music major next year!) I have a friend who has been in contact with Eclipse Trumpets to try to get some work building horns. I'm sure something like that would be a great experience for you if you're interested in the physics of the instrument.

KPWtrumpet72 · New Member Joined: 02 Jan 2010 Posts: 7

The Hartt School/University of Hartford in Hartford, CT has a program that gets a foot in both the Music School and the Engineering School: Acoustics and Music. It's basically two majors in one, yet at the end it's a B.S.E. in Acoustics. You still take most of the music classes like a performance major, you have to take lessons and play in ensembles, but you also take Engineering classes. Kind of the best of both worlds, because you can take the Music aspect as seriously or as casually as you'd like. Worth checking out IMO.
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