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APPLICATIONS FOR A DEGREE IN MUSIC

by Frellie Campos, University Relations Specialist, Hawaii Pacific University

Don't put away your high school Glee Club robe just yet. chances are, you may find an advantageous use for it in college.

National studies show that participation inco-curricular activities can elevate your educational experience and broaden your career skills. from academic and professional organizations like the math club and Toastmasters, to recreational and social club, universities offer a wide variety of clubs and organizations to allow students to develop social and professional relationships in out-of-classroom settings. One area in particular, recognized for helping students establish a strong foundation in the liberal arts, is music.

Music is one of the few areas in your mental development skills that work as a whole brain activity. Researchers found that music is one of the activities that force you to use your entire brain, rather than just one compartment. It utilizes more portions of the brain simultaneously than any other activity. And what better way to take advantage of all that music has to offer than to join your college chorale.

Universities offer chorale and vocal ensembles to provide an outlet for talented students to express their vocal talents and to serve as an outreach to the broader community through vocal performance, all while promoting the importance of the performing arts.

Being involved in a chorale gives you a wider range of other skills that can be transferred to a very broad spectrum of jobs and careers. Performing in front of an audience, for example, boosts self-confidence and helps with presentation, communication and interpersonal skills-traits that play a vital role in obtaining a well-rounded education suitable for tomorrow's workforce.

An International Chorale, for example, is a unique type of vocal group designed to enable students to perform choral repertoire from multi-ethnic sources. This specialization promotes cultural awareness and at the same time, teaches students the historical, social, economical, and political aspect of the choral music. The opportunity to sing in such an ensemble also helps to deepen the appreciation and understanding of the universal language of music and its ability to unify the human spirit. Explains Hawaii Pacific University Chorale Director Susan Duprey, "if I'm teaching student a song from France, they're not only learning French, but the social,political and historical aspect of the country. Each culture brings with it a uniqueness that enriches and expands the choral experience."

Some colleges offer music scholarships for highly skilled vocalist, although many chorales are there to serve as a venue for students who just love to sing. But if you're thinking of expanding your musical interest into a full-time career, many schools offer bachelor's and master's degrees in music.

With professional and performing arts enjoying increased support nationwide, and music education largely being promoted through schools, a wide range of vocation is available in the music field. Some of the areas where music graduates are employed at include:

Music Education - elementary school teacher, band, orchestra, choir director, college professor, private studio teacher

Music Therapy - counselor, music therapist

Technology - audio engineer, software and hardware developer, sound systems coordinator

Recording and Publishing - editor, composer, promoter, recording and sound engineer

Music Management - agent; director of an ensemble; public relations and promotions festival directors; community music officers, government art agencies.

Performance - musical theater performer, professional orchestra, choir, or band member

Associated Careers - music librarians, journalism and music criticism, instrument making and repair

Whether you pursue music as a formal degree or as an extracurricular activity, music is a handy tool to include in your college education. The lessons learned in doing so will surely have you come out singing.