I am posting this here because there may be some student, somewhere in the world who will stumble across our forum with this very question: "Should I go to graduate school in music?"
My answer: No.
Well, maybe. Probably not would be the best answer. There was a time that I considered graduate school in music. I studied music as an undergrad and had high hopes of "making it" in the classical music world. After auditioning for the "big-name" schools like Rice, Colburn, etc, I was not accepted by any and only wait-listed by one, very expensive East Coast school which I shall not name. I then considered a couple of small, state schools for graduate school, but I could see the path those lead to and I jumped ship. At this moment in time, I look back at the wisdom and strength it took me to say no to an idea fixed in my mind for so long.
Why do we focus so much on the negatives of obtaining an MA and/or DMA? It's simple: there are a lot of negatives, or, shall I say, simple realities of life. One does not focus much on reality in the sheltered womb of undergraduate studies, but it would be wise for any student (who has never had to be fully independent or financially support a family) to consider the sometimes harsh realities of life that cannot be ignored for any dream.
This blog shares 100 very well-written and powerful reasons not to attend graduate school.
https://100rsns.blogspot.com/2010/09/1-smart-people-are-somewhere-else.html