At which point do you know, "ok this is a sign for me to make music something of a career." I have heard that when certain people win a decent-sized competition a lightbulb goes off for them signifying the start of a musical career. However I'm not sure how accurately that picture is painted.

What kinds of signs have you experienced yourself or you know that someone else experienced to propel into a self-sustaining musical career?

Mikester....
IMO.... you just know... you cant supress the urge. I tried to for 16 years... to no avail. So here I am at 34, going back to school. Albiet Music Education... but a carreer in music will be had by me. FINALLY!

persistance of the musical urge; you can kick it, ignore it, try to distract it - but if it keeps coming back, and won't share the spotlight with other endeavors, it's time to start thinking about a career.

If it can be kicked with effectiveness, ignored or distracted successfully, call ITT Tech.

It was never when someone said to me, "Hey, you should make a career in music!", because nobody ever told me that (until after I had already decided).

It was when I myself said, "Hey, I must make a career in music."

For me, it happened when I met the concert pianist Kirill Gliadkovsky. We had a short lesson together, concluding with him playing two of the Chopin etudes for me. At that moment, I just knew that if I could do anything in life, I only wanted to play like that. Since then, I have been practicing, studying, asking questions, doing what I can to further myself in my musical education. Of course, there have been "signs" along the way, like conveniently hearing certain pieces over and over again in different places, conveniently meeting and discussing music with important people, conveniently making super progress... but I already knew several years ago.

I never seriously considered pursuing music as a career because I have severe hearing loss in both ears. But now ...

I'm 35 and contemplating going back to school, in music. I really think I would like to be a college professor of music and lecture/research on music history, theory, and composition. This is because I love learning and talking about music history and theory more than just about anything. (Except piano--but I don't think I would want a performance career.)

So, I guess it's that still, small, and very persistent voice in one's head ... if it's telling you to pursue music, that music is more important than anything else, then maybe it's something you should consider.

I was six years old. It was my first recital. I had on a red and white striped taffeta dress and Mary Janes and a head full of Shirley Temple curls. I played "The Waltz of the Toys." When I finished, I faced the audience to thunderous applause! I said "Wow, this is the life for me!!" Not much has changed.

Then, when I was seven, I discovered I could play anything I heard. I think they call it the Magic Ear...ergo, I have had a paying job on the boards ever since I was 12 years old. Maybe it was in the genes...

Does this mean you have to be dragged into a musical career kicking and screaming?

I attend ITT Tech, yet I've never kicked, ignored, or tried to distract my musical urge.

....That's how it started wi/ Beethoven