Comments on: My Truth On Getting A Doctorate

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:06:50 +0000

Thanks for the link, Garrett! Really appreciate it!

By: Garrett Schumann

Garrett Schumann — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:32:58 +0000

If anyone is interested in a contrasting perspective on this topic, violinist Ellen McSweeney was inspired by my post and blogged about why her time NOT in school was so valuable. Here’s the URL:

http://ellenmcsweeney.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/in-praise-of-time-off-from-school/

By: Nick Norton

Nick Norton — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:55:53 +0000

Garrett, I get where you’re coming from completely. I’m in the same boat as you at this moment, actually, and have a similar outlook. Having been out in the working world for a couple of years now, and also having found a little bit of success and income from my music, my decision to apply is not about finding a job coming out, or, as you mentioned, even about finding the perfect program to nurture what I consider my deficiencies.

Really, it’s about having three to five years to focus solely on composing. It’s a bit about being sick of getting home from a day job at 7 at night and getting straight to music after dinner, errands, chores, and whatever else. I’m not ready to relegate music to a hobby and side pursuit. So whatever comes of the PhD, I barely care. I’m in it to make music the center of my life again.

By: Daniel Wolf

Daniel Wolf — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:24:29 +0000

I’m a bit startled by this post, which is framed in institutional terms of “programs” and “tracks” with no mention of what I would assume to be the most critical element in a decision to study someplace: while institutional affiliations and credentials might, eventually, offer some advantage in placement for a day job teaching theory or music literature, studying composition at an advanced level, with the intention that composing is to be one’s principle activity, is largely a question of with whom one studies. AFAIC, if composing is it issue, then the main question is: Is there a match — or, as the case may be, useful contrast — of genre, style, aesthetics, methods, intentions, personalities between a potential student and teacher pair?

By: Joseph Holbrooke

Joseph Holbrooke — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:51:33 +0000

Here is a little exercise I did before I decided that had a big impact on my decision. I made a list of the 100 living musicians who’s work I admired most at the time and looked to see how many held advanced degrees. For me the numbers were dramatic and helpful in clarifying where my tastes and interests did not belong.

Worth trying.

By: George

George — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:50:46 +0000

Where your sports analogy fails is that the professional world on composing is not a regulated league. I’m not sure I completely agree with the sentiment that a doctorate will somehow make you better prepared for the “real world” anymore so than just being in it. I feel rather confident that you’ll walk the streets feeling unprepared no matter what degree you get. I guess that I feel there is nothing more educational than being in the thick of things. Survival in the “real world” for a composer depends on so much more than just composing, as any number of blogs and articles have mentioned in the recent past. The things that will help “mature you into the musician” you need to be before entering the professional world are much more related to business etiquette, work ethic, fiscal responsibility, and personal skills.

Having my first child while still in grad school pushed me much harder to succeed than any degree program or course requirement. The knowledge that another life was completely dependent on my abilities to get things done immediately flipped a switch in me to cut the bullshit and focus on my work. Similarly, life post-grad has afforded me no shortage of opportunities to push myself and stretch my creative potential. Not having the scrutiny of academic panels or grad school peers makes for an extremely satisfying experience, as well as a somewhat scary ride. The initial feeling that you are free to make whatever decisions you want to make, and that full responsibility lies solely on your shoulders, is enlightening. It provides an amazingly direct opportunity to reflect on your own creativity.

All that said, good luck!