Posted by Daryl on August 25, 1999 at 22:19:07:
In Reply to: Performance vs. Education posted by John Visel on August 25, 1999 at 21:58:47:
Well, I guess it's a matter of philosophy. The degree itself is pretty useless, yes; it really doesn't mean anything in the job market, and employers in the performing arts don't care if you have a degree that says you can play, they just care if you can play or not. However, I think it would be hasty to knock the merits of a performance centered education - in other words, one that expects the highest level of performance from it's students (which both Messrs. Perantoni and Morris are involved with). To sum up, while it may be a waste of time to actually persue an undergraduate performance degree, it's not a waste to train and study and practice as if you WERE a performance major, and not to allow yourself the "ed major" excuse (I don't have to be a great player - I'm gonna teach!). BTW, some of the finest players in the world have bachelor's in music education....food for thought.....
Best of luck to you!
Daryl Bean