Music and Finance? Behind the Decision
Ok here goes, my first blog post. In full disclosure, I was a little hesitant. I’d been putting off my first blog post for about a week. As they say, the first step is always the hardest. This blog post seeks to reflect on my more committed desire to study music, and why I chose to consolidate that desire with a finance degree.
Reflecting on my second year of studying at UNC Charlotte, I have found that this year things started to make a little more sense than the last. Of course, that is to be expected. More specifically, I was a little aimless and not committed to the whole music idea the first year. Listening to other’s feedback on how music is more of a hobby, and a backup plan to something more “professional” made me amenable to reconsider my thoughts. The notion of music being “A cute idea!” but not “Reality!” discouraged me. After additional exploration, reading, and engaging with my faculty at school, I have realized that it can definitely be a valid profession. Some inspiring faculty at my school include:
My piano instructor, a performer in many places far and broad. A specializer in teaching multiple classes namely “class piano” (a class for music students to learn piano in a group setting) and recently an honors course class on how music is essential to learning universal life skills. He’s an author and co-author of multiple books, a judge at piano competitions, and a reputable leader in the music scene in Charlotte. All of this plus teaching piano students.
My choir instructor teaches an array of classes at the university such as women’s chorus, and music theory/aural skills (classes which focus on identification of music theory on paper and by ear). She plays for church, teaches private students, accompanies musicians for their student recitals, and is a board member of various music committees.
Of course, these two teachers did not do these things overnight, but they have inspired me to take up a new view. Seeing that “Yes indeed, music is a legitimate career path.”
These two teachers along with others have inspired me to study various topics in-depth this year such as: music history, chamber music, solo piano repertoire, learning in a choral environment, and music business strategies.
Subsequently, I decided to combine the music idea with a finance degree. Reasoning? First, although my overall passion is music, I am not in the slightest business savvy. Just ask my mom. If the dream is to start a piano school, knowledge is to be acquired in how to manage and maintain the unglamorous aspects of a business. Simple questions of a future school could include:
How do taxes work?
How many employees should be hired?
How many students should be acquired?
Rent and other building expenditures?
What pricing should be charged for students? Membership fee?
Salary for teachers and other staff?
I am sure that getting a degree in finance will not magically solve all of these burning questions and countless others to follow, but it will definitely aid in my ever-expanding business toolbox.
In conclusion, despite struggles of indecisiveness, hopping from all majors far and wide (for which an additional blog post can be written), I am thankful to say I am confident in the choosing of these two disciplines, and am hopeful in gleaning as much as I can during these next two years of college.
To God be all the glory.
-Alyson
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
