Finding the Right Music School: 10 Things You Should Consider

Alexandra Uifalean

September 17th, 2019
Updated September 23rd, 2020

Whether you could use some piano/guitar/drums classes to unleash your creative side or it's time for your kid to take his/her talent to another level, finding the right music school is not an easy task.

With so many options available out there,

How can you know which one best suits your needs?

We did a lot of asking around, and it looks like the right-fit school is the one where several factors harmonize, such as:

• Being in a community where you have the most support
• Receiving the best opportunities to grow as a musician and a person
• Having access to valuable connections that will serve you in your future career

Many people start the chase without a strategy.

But not you.

We gathered 10 characteristics you should look for in a successful music school to help you to make the best choice for you or your dear ones.

Let's jump to it.

#1. Type of School

First things first: before you start the searching process, you should establish what kind of degree you want. There are three major types of schools in which one can study music:

1. A university
2. A liberal arts college
3. A conservatory

There are several differences between them. Here's a quick breakdown:

A conservatory is an institution where everyone studies music/arts. It offers 'focused , performance-intensive training for students who want to pursue a career typically in performance.' Here, the competition is high, which means it's harder to enter.

A liberal arts college is bigger than a conservatory and is perfect for students who want to try several music options and don't want to commit upfront to a particular topic.

Think about a university as the 'classic college experience,' where the curriculum includes an extensive focus and you get the opportunity to explore more subjects.

Whatever you do, make sure you check their websites to find out about the classes they offer and other essential requirements.

#2. Curriculum

The range of courses a school offers can be the difference between a top and a mediocre one. Here's a set of questions to consider from Majoring in Music

• Does their offer include what you want to study?
• Are there any classes you can test out?
• How flexible is the curriculum?
• Is there any support for pursuing independent projects?

When it comes to analyzing a school's curriculum, it's important to look beyond theoretical knowledge. According to Berklee Valencia , 'Getting hands-on, practical experience is vital to success after graduation.' There, students have the chance to participate in real-life projects [...] as well as 'work on consulting projects to develop creative solutions for real companies and start-ups [...].'

Which leads us to the next point.

#3. Career Opportunities

Before you enroll in a music school, you need to think about the bigger picture. Keep in mind the following questions:

• What career services does the school offer?
• What support is available for performing outside of classes?
• Is there a gig office?
• Is there any support for performing in music festivals and competitions?
• Are there opportunities for students doing their personal projects?
• Are internship opportunities available through the school?

#4.Financial Aid

Getting into music school is a big investment, so you want to make sure you won't go into mountains of debt. Here are a bunch of financial aspects to consider:

• Are lessons included in the tuition or do they cost extra?
• Are academic and performance scholarships available? Do they continue for all four years? Are they adjusted for cost of living increases?
• What financial aid opportunities are available?
• What percentage of students receive financial aid?

#5.Culture

Always check out the values and culture of a music school. It will tell you if it feels like the right fit.

• Does the music school have a clear vision?
• What is its mission? Can you relate to the school's identity?
• Did they create a welcoming and supportive multicultural atmosphere for all members of their community?
• Does the institution make its students feel valued?
• Is the administration open to feedback and innovation?

Look for a culture you'd like to be part of and that has similar values to yours.

#6. The Faculty

A successful school is one with a pool of diverse, skillful and responsible teachers. One where a strong relationship between students and faculty members is encouraged.

Schools that have trained staff to cater to students' educational as well as social needs encourage authentic connections and strong partnerships between the two. Make sure you learn something about each of the members of a school before signing up.

#7. The Students

Do you want to determine whether or not a music school is successful?

Look at its student body.

A thriving school is inclusive and embraces diversity by accepting all kinds of students, from all backgrounds'simply because cultural diversity is integral to music.

Another relevant thing about students is how well they can play music. Start your research by watching student performances, recitals, Youtube videos'whatever reveals they can play music.

#8. The Vibes

Don't just apply to a school because some teacher told you it's the best. Leave room for chemistry and your interpretation.

Take a test drive and go for a tour, trial lessons and see if they can accommodate an overnight stay. The best way to get a real sense of the program is by experiencing it yourself. Look for answers to these questions:

• How competitive are students?
• What is the student/teacher ratio?
• What is the average class size?
• How do students relate to teachers and vice-versa?
• Is there mutual respect amongst each other?

#9. Testimonials

Testimonials help you understand if a school is worth it.

Think about them as a clever way to look at its history in terms of excellence and service. You'll find out how they treat students and parents, how welcoming and diverse they are, how trained are their staff, etc.

#10. Relationship with Tech

In the age of the nerd, the music industry must keep up with technology. Brownie points for having a reliable music teacher management app to automate processes, course pricing, invoicing, online payments, notifications, communications'like Teach'n Go.

The advantage for parents is you get access to your child's up-to-date schedule, attendance and behavior. As for students, they can view lesson notes and download course material uploaded by the teacher.

Over to You

Finding the right music school is easier said than done. Do yourself a favor and go for the one that walks its talk.