Career education: An integral part of the education of the undergraduate music performance student?

Students receiving a Bachelor of Music in Performance have traditionally been taught only the musical respects of the profession. After graduating, students often find themselves seeking employment utilizing their education and finding the resources to meet day-to-day living expenses and musical upkeep until the job is found. In spite of the career development training opportunities available before and after a student's undergraduate education, the need for formal career education during the undergraduate years is still relatively undocumented. This thesis examines whether formal career education further prepares music students for the realities of the field and allows them to plan and control their future careers. Conservatory directors, music students, and music professionals were interviewed to discover how career education has affected curriculums and lives. Research into career education in music and the accrediting process for music schools is provided to allow conclusions to be made about career education in the curriculum.