Value

“People aren’t owed jobs because of (possibly bogus) qualifications or credentials; they get jobs because they can do something valuable for someone else.”

This mindset is sometimes lost in the percussion community. Degrees (especially performance ones) won’t actually get you anything in the real world. The skills and assets that you acquire while obtaining your degree can be of great value to you if applied in the right way. But, the piece of paper itself, not so much.

This article sums up these ideas rather nicely. As everybody heads back to school, make sure to ask yourself “What skills am I picking up here?” and “How will I apply these skills in the real world?” and “Are these skills going to be able to make me a living?”

Enjoy!

Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 17, 2013.

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Dave Gerhart

Dr. Dave Gerhart, Artist Relations Partner for the Yamaha Corporation and freelance percussionist is a nationally recognized performer, composer, and educator. Dr. Gerhart, originally from Fairfield, California, holds a D.M.A. from the University of Southern California, M.M. in Percussion Performance and Instrumental Conducting and a B.M. in Music Education from California State University, Long Beach.

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