Music Careers

Last week, Blue Ridge Community College hosted Career Day for high school juniors in Henderson County.  I had the privilege of presenting “Music Careers” to eighty-five of several hundred students attending the event.  Oh, the energy that was in the room. Most of the students play instruments or sing in choirs.  Some were there only because they enjoy music, still others because they like someone who likes music – you get my drift.  🙂

I felt a little overwhelmed by my topic.  “Music Careers” includes far too many careers to cover in a twenty minute session so I spoke quickly and used our business an example.  I also “threw in” as many other careers in music as I could as I recounted that part of our life.

They listened attentively about the evolution of Freeburg Pianos, which began with Keith playing guitar at six years old, moved to string bass in fourth grade, All-State Orchestra in junior and senior high, the University of Minnesota Orchestra, degree in Music Education, public school orchestra director, back to night school for piano tuning, repair and rebuilding, starting a business and the recent “grand” expansion.  I also told them about Levi’s successful career experiences and how his degree in business administration and his entrepreneurial mind led him to join with us in the family business expansion.  I told them about the three young men on our technical team, the three teachers on our staff, and, finally, how I ended up in a music career – marriage. 🙂

What was the bottom line of my presentation?  There were two.  Whether you continue in music or not, pursue your passion, work hard and serve people.  Secondly, the wonderful thing about music is that you will always have the joy of it, even if you choose another career.

Please feel free to e-mail me your music career story or comment below.  We’d love to hear about it.