I'm a professional classical musician. It is a hard profession right now, but not impossible. A lot of your questions depend on the instrument. Piano or violin - yes, it's very competitive and early decisions and commitment are a big plus. But I am a woodwind player and did not decide to try to make a career as a performing musician until college. I got an undergrad degree in music ed and a masters in my instrument. I am now employed as a performer and support my family that way.

Julliard is not the only good school for music. The most important thing is to have a teacher you trust. A school will not get you a job, only winning an audition will.

I've always likened a choosing a career in music to attempting to become a professional athlete. In lots of cases absolutely soul-crushing. We always said (when I was a top level HS violinist) that if there was *anything* else that you were remotely interested in/good at doing that you should do that instead of becoming a musician. Thankfully for me I was good at math so I ended up becoming a Ph.D. economist. I still miss being a musician though .

Anonymous wrote:Most people who go to Julliard end up as lawyers or driving buses. Music is a very competitive field. Symphonies all over the country are having financial problems. You should only do this if your kid can not be dissuaded. And even then expect to have to give them a great deal of support. (especially if your kid is studying, for example, piano... very few jobs there that really pay)

This made me smile. I was a music major (not at Julliard, though) and now I'm a lawyer. I have not exposed my kids to much at all, which baffles DH. I told him music broke my heart and I don't want to do that to my kids. Sad? Yes.

Most people who go to Julliard end up as lawyers or driving buses. Music is a very competitive field. Symphonies all over the country are having financial problems. You should only do this if your kid can not be dissuaded. And even then expect to have to give them a great deal of support. (especially if your kid is studying, for example, piano... very few jobs there that really pay)

I'm really glad OP started this thread. Our DC is similar with regards to love of music and giftedness in this area (perfect pitch, can play things after hearing them once, etc., writes own music, etc.) but has no angst about perfectionism.
DC's teacher told us recently that DC was very likely Juilliard bound, which makes me very nervous (DC is still only in elementary school, but this teacher has a very good record with placing kids there and is not shy about telling you what she thinks--she has told us for instance that music is clearly not DC's sibling's first love, for instance).
I don't know how much to push or not either. DC doesn't seem interested in anything other than music, but I don't want to steer in one direction or another.

Anonymous wrote:DC is at a top conservatory and we really didn't know until high school that DC would end up there. Depending on the instrument, Juilliard may not be the best choice for undergrad. Many conservatories cater to grad students and undergrad fend for themselves. The most important aspect is the teacher/studio at a school. If it's not a good fit, it doesn't matter where your kid attends.

Thank you for sharing this!

DC is at a top conservatory and we really didn't know until high school that DC would end up there. Depending on the instrument, Juilliard may not be the best choice for undergrad. Many conservatories cater to grad students and undergrad fend for themselves. The most important aspect is the teacher/studio at a school. If it's not a good fit, it doesn't matter where your kid attends.