Photo by Sanket Vankayalapati
Deciding on a major—or even a minor—can be daunting, especially in an era where that choice comes with the question, “What will you do with that degree?” For students at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, like myself, this question isn’t hypothetical; it’s immediate, pressing, and often laced with skepticism. After all, in a campus culture dominated by the talk of finance, consulting, tech, and medicine, how does a music degree translate into career success?
To find out, I sat down with a Blair professor, a cello performance major, and a violin performance minor. Their perspectives, drawn from both teaching and current experience, paint a compelling picture of why Blair continues to hold unique value in a changing professional landscape.
Beyond the Practice Room
When people think of music degrees, they often imagine endless practice rooms, juries, auditions, and other training geared toward a life on stage. That’s certainly part of it, but as Isidora Miranda, Assistant Professor of the Practice in Musicology and Ethnomusicology, pointed out, the skills cultivated at Blair stretch far beyond performance technique.
“In my classes, students learn to research, write, and—maybe most importantly—connect with people,” Miranda told me. “We call it ethnography, but really it’s about understanding communities, talking to audiences, and finding ways to communicate. Those are skills you can take anywhere, inside or outside the arts.”
For Eric Wei, a sophomore cello performance major on the pre-med track, this rings especially true. “I’m not planning to be a professional musician—I’m mostly planning to go to medical school,” he said. “But so much of what I’ve learned from music applies directly to other fields. Making music in a group teaches you how to collaborate with people who don’t always agree, compromise when needed, and still create something great together. Those lessons in problem-solving and teamwork go far beyond the concert hall.”
In other words, while a Blair degree trains musicians, it also trains collaborators able to function effectively in groups and communicate across disciplines, researchers who can analyze, question, and connect music to broader cultural and intellectual contexts, and leaders who can inspire others, organize initiatives, and advocate for the role of the arts in society. In today’s job market, where adaptability and communication are increasingly sought after, those skills carry real weight. In fact, national labor data underscores this: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that arts and humanities graduates often succeed in diverse fields precisely because of their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Redefining Success in Music
Of course, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the financial questions. A music degree doesn’t typically offer the same job security as other career options available to Vanderbilt students. That reality can be intimidating. But, Miranda urged me to think beyond narrow definitions of return on investment.
She recalled words from Blair’s recent guest artists Larry & Joe, a duo specializing in Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music, who reminded students that success isn’t always about fame or wealth. “We are not making huge money out of this career,” the duo told students, “but it’s a livelihood.”
For Audrey McManus, a sophomore violin performance minor, the value of music lies in the less obvious skills it instills. “Music teaches people a great deal about collaboration,” she explained. “It pushes you to problem-solve in ways you don’t encounter elsewhere, and depending on the type of music you’re doing, it even requires you to market and learn more about yourself. These lessons don’t stay in the practice room, but translate directly into my life.”
At Blair, students learn that the measure of success surpasses income—it’s impact, community, and creative fulfillment.
How Does Blair Stand Out?
Plenty of universities boast strong music programs. So, what makes Blair any different?
First, there’s financial access. Blair has worked to ensure that many students, including those from less affluent backgrounds, have opportunities to study here. Miranda acknowledged that not every student’s tuition is fully covered, but compared to other conservatories, Blair offers substantial support. Vanderbilt notes that Blair scholarships include both merit- and need-based aid, making the school more financially accessible.
Then, there’s location. Nashville isn’t called “Music City” for nothing; students find a plethora of opportunities in the music industry, songwriting, ethnomusicology, or cross-genre collaboration. Blair students have the unique opportunity to step outside their “Vanderbilt bubble” and connect with an entire ecosystem of musicians, venues, and industry professionals.
Wei emphasized Blair’s structure as a unique strength. “Unlike most conservatories, Blair is truly an undergraduate-only institution,” he explained. “That means we have a lot more opportunities. Undergrads get to hold principal positions in orchestra, lead ensembles, play gigs, and even give recitals as underclassmen. Those leadership experiences and performance opportunities are harder to come by at larger conservatories with graduate students.” Vanderbilt highlights this fact in official communications: Blair is one of the only top music schools in the nation exclusively dedicated to undergraduates.
Exposure is another differentiator. Undergraduates at Blair don’t have to wait until graduate school to perform with top ensembles or work with world-class artists. “Some of our students are soloing with the National Symphony as undergrads,” Miranda noted. “That’s the kind of opportunity you might only expect after college elsewhere.”
Finally, there’s Blair’s integration with other undergraduate colleges at Vanderbilt. Unlike standalone conservatories, Blair students can blend rigorous music training with courses in literature, medicine, political science, or business. Students can bring what they learn in one classroom into another, creating a holistic education that’s both artistic and practical.
McManus highlighted this balance clearly: “Other conservatories focus a lot more on the performance aspect, but Blair encourages you to take academic courses too. For me, that’s been huge—I can study violin seriously while also taking economics and world language classes. Blair doesn’t box you in.”
Balancing Passion and Practicality
Perhaps the hardest question for any music student—and any liberal arts student, really—is how to balance passion with practicality. How do you weigh the intrinsic value of creativity and the arts against the extrinsic need for income and stability?
For Miranda, the answer comes back to finding contentment in working with peers. “You can’t make an orchestra work alone,” she said. “It’s about trust, give and take, and bringing something to the table. That’s the balance—taking care of yourself, but also making sure you can be there for others.”
Wei sees it similarly, noting that Blair’s structure gives undergraduates the chance to step into leadership roles early on. “Being in principal positions or leading sections in the orchestra has taught me how to work with people, compromise when we disagree, and still create the best outcome possible,” he said. “Those lessons will carry with me no matter what career I pursue.”
In the end, what Blair offers is a way of thinking, creating, and connecting. Whether its students go on to become performers, doctors, educators, or entrepreneurs, they carry with them the same spirit of curiosity, empathy, and collaboration that defines the school. The value of a Blair education resonates wherever people strive to listen closely, work together, and make something meaningful. In a world that could always use a little more harmony, that might just be the most valuable lesson of all.
