2 replies to this topic

[rwkachur]

I am starting to plan for a second career. I'm 41 years old and am thinking about becoming a high school band director in the next 10 years. I am currently taking lessons on my pricipal instrument -- flute. I am looking for advice on college BME programs. Below are some preferences:

1. I would prefer a medium-sized or smaller college. I don't really want to wade into a gigantic state school.

2. I would like a program with a strong marching band component. I'm in good shape, so I would not have much problem actually marching...if I had to.

3. All things being equal, the Midwest would be my preference but that's not written in stone.

Other info: I already have a Master's degree in Latin American studies, so a program that allows me to skip all those pesky "electives" would be nice.

Why do I want to do this? -- Well, you'll just have to ask to find out.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Please feel free to post or e-mail me directly at rwkachur@hotmail.com.

Thanks in Advance,

Bob Kachur

[tptman]

If you're in the Midwest, don't want a bunch of annoying "electives" and want to go into music education, check out VanderCook College in Chicago. I don't know about the marching band aspect, but there are a lot of high powered marching bands around Chicago you might be able to work with in order to get that experience (though, they won't let you march with the high school students )

VanderCook is one of the only schools in the nation that only produces music teachers. That's all they do, and they do it well. Go check them out at www.vandercook.edu.

I'd be interested to hear what you think.

[Meldog]

There's a good chance withy ou already having a masters that you can skip all those electives. My fiance has her associates in human services but she also had to take all the electives to get that degree. Anywhere she applies she only has to take what is required for the degree as she meets all the standards for all the electives, in most schools at least. Something you may want to check into.

Have fun with it. Glad to see another person going into the field. Well I don't want anyone else to enter the field till I have a job then anyone that wants can become a band director