Finding the Right Music School: 10 Things You Should Consider

Whether you want to learn how to play a new instrument or take your talent to the next level, finding the best music school can be challenging.

With so many options available, how do you know which music school best suits your needs?

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. The right music school is the one where several factors harmonize. This includes:

🎵 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.

In this article, we outline 10 of the most important factors you should consider when choosing a music school. Let's get started!

#1. Type of School

Before you can begin the enrollment process, you need to establish what kind of qualification or training you want from a music school.

There are three different types of schools where you can study music:

🎓 A conservatory

🎨 A liberal arts college

🎤 A university

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these schools.

A Conservatory

A conservatory is an institution where all of the students receive music education and offer highly focused performance-intensive training.

The competition amongst applicants in conservatories is high, which means it's often a bit harder to be accepted into these programs.

A Liberal Arts College

If you want to try out different music options, a liberal arts school is a good idea.

These colleges are bigger than conservatories and are perfect for students who don't want to commit to a particular field of music just yet.

However, if your dream is to pursue music professionally, ensure that the music college you choose offers the specialization you’re looking for.

A Liberal Arts College

Many universities worldwide have departments where students can study music full-time or take electives in an area of music production that interests them.

Not only do many musical curriculums offer an extensive focus, but you will also get the opportunity to explore different subjects.

Whichever music school you choose, make sure that you check their websites to find out about the classes they offer and other essential requirements you may need to meet.

For example, many music schools require their prospective students to audition in front of a panel of judges before being formally accepted into the program.

#2. Curriculum

The variety of courses a school offers can be the difference between a top and a mediocre music institution.

To help you decide if a music school’s curriculum is right for you, here's a set of questions to ask yourself:

🎼 Does the offer include what I want to study?

🎼 Are there any classes I can test out?

🎼 How flexible is the music education?

🎼 Is there any support for pursuing independent projects?

When it comes to analyzing a music school's curriculum, ensure that you look beyond the theoretical knowledge you could gain.

It’s also important that a music school provides opportunities for its students to get hands-on, practical experience once they have finished their studies.

Not only will this improve your chances of getting a job, but you will also be better prepared for the demands of the music industry when you join the workforce.

#3. Career and Networking Opportunities

Before you enroll in a music school, you need to think about the bigger picture.

Not only is it important to consider the quality of the training you’ll receive, but also how the school will help you navigate the music industry.

Here are some questions worth thinking about when weighing up a music school’s career and networking opportunities:

🎸 Does the music school offer any career services?

🎸 Is there any support available for performing outside of classes?

🎸 What kind of support does the school offer for performing in festivals or competitions?

🎸 Are there opportunities for students to pursue their own personal projects?

🎸 Are there any internship opportunities available through the music school?

It’s also a good idea to do some research about the alumni of a potential music school.

This is a great way to see how other students have experienced the school and what they have gone on to achieve.

Specifically, you should look into which areas of music the alumni were involved in, which career paths they have pursued and how the school helped them get there.

Another good idea is to see whether the music school offers alumni networking events for their current students.

Not only will this allow you to build relationships with successful musicians, but it may also provide a platform for you to secure an internship or further education.

#4. Financial Aid

When you’re looking to enroll in a music school, you want to make sure that the experience won’t leave you with a mountain of debt.

Many schools have world-renowned reputations. In addition to charging students for their facilities and teachers, they may also cost more because of their status.

This is why it’s important that you establish what your budget is and compare music schools within that range.

Ideally, you should choose the music school that offers the best possible education, facilities and value for money.

To help you make a more informed decision, here are some important factors to consider:

💰 Are music lessons included in the tuition or will they cost extra?

💰 Does the school offer academic or music performance scholarships? Are they adjusted when the cost of living increases?

💰 What kind of financial aid opportunities are available for students?

💰 What percentage of students receive financial aid each year?

Receiving financial aid is a great way to offset some of the costs associated with music education.

However, it’s important that you research these options thoroughly to make sure you know what the long-term implications may be if you receive funding.

#5.Performance Opportunities

For many musicians, enrolling in a music school is as much about receiving formal training as it is about performing in front of an audience.

While researching a music school’s faculty and facilities, you also need to look into whether it creates opportunities for its students to showcase their talents.

Usually, a good place to look is on the music school’s social media accounts or the calendar on the website.

These performances can be formal, such as recitals and concerts. Or they can be more casual events like open mics and lunchtime concerts, for example.

Regardless of how these performances occur, it’s important that the music school offers opportunities for its students to grow as musicians or producers.

#6. The Faculty

A successful school is one with a pool of diverse, skillful and responsible music 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.

Not only will the music school’s staff play a big role in your education, but they’re also likely to influence your networking opportunities once you finish your training.

Make sure that you take the time to find out about each of the members of a school before enrolling—looking specifically at their professional biographies and achievements.

Here are some questions you may want to ask about the teachers at a potential music school:

💭 What is the teacher’s education or experience with music?

💭 Do they have the musical ability to support what they’re teaching?

💭 What kind of support do the teachers offer to students when it’s necessary?

#7. The Students

If you want to determine whether or not a music school is successful, take a look at its student body.

Since cultural diversity is integral to music, a thriving school is inclusive and embraces diversity by accepting all kinds of students, from all backgrounds.

To get a true testimonial about the quality of education at a music school, you should look into how well the students play their instruments or perform.

Luckily, the digital age has made this easier than ever before.

Start your research online by watching recitals or past student performances on YouTube, if the music school has made these videos available.

Another good option is to attend open days of the different music schools you’re interested in.

Many studios and schools will ask their current music students to host a small concert to give prospective enrollees a better idea of what to expect.

This is a great way to get a “live” taste of what the music school has to offer and how well their students are taught to perform.

#8. The Vibes

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

The best way to see whether a particular music school is the right fit for you is to:

🎹 Go for a tour of the campus or facilities

🎹 Trial music lessons with the school’s staff

🎹 See if the music school can accommodate an overnight stay

By experiencing the campus and program yourself, you’ll be able to get a real sense of what the music school is like before enrolling.

When you visit the music campus or studio you’re interested in, look for answers to these questions:

🤔 How competitive are students?

🤔 What is the student to private teacher ratio of the school?

🤔 What is the average class size?

🤔 How do students relate to teachers and vice versa?

🤔 Is there mutual respect amongst each other?

One of the most efficient ways to find the answers to the above questions is to ask the students or a faculty member who is at the open day.

This will give you the opportunity to have your questions answered and get a feel for how other people experience the music school.

#9. On-Site versus Online Classes

TYou will also need to consider whether you’d like to attend a music school that offers in-person or online classes.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, music schools worldwide have had to adapt to the demands of online learning and offer recorded video lessons.

Many students have enjoyed this flexibility and have learned how to perfect their craft from the comfort of their own homes.

However, if you’re someone who prefers a hands-on approach to learning with a private music teacher, a remote music school might not be the best fit.

Whichever option you choose, make sure that the music school’s lessons work for your schedule and that the faculty has the right tech available to support its students.

#10. On-Site versus Online Classes

Thanks to the demands of the digital age and online learning, the music industry has had to keep up with technology.

This is why it’s critical that the music school you choose has a reliable teacher and student management app like Teach 'n Go to:

📱 Automate day-to-day processes

📱 Provide transparent course pricing

📱 Easily manage invoicing and online payments

📱 Facilitate seamless communication between students and teachers

One of the key advantages for students and teachers is that you’ll always have access to your class schedules, attendance and lesson notes.

With software like ours, schools and their students are able to access and download course material from anywhere in the world.

👉 Over to You

Finding the right music school can be challenging. Luckily, with the pointers we’ve provided in this article you’ll know exactly what to look out for.

Remember, in a world where the educational environment is constantly changing, you’ll need to choose a school that has tech in place like Teach ‘n Go.

It can help save time, reduce stress levels, and prevent scheduling conflicts—making the learning experience more enjoyable for both students and teachers.

Create a free account today and enjoy a seven-day free trial of our teacher scheduling software. No credit card required.

You can also book a demo by clicking here. You will have access to all of Teach ‘n Go’s premium features and be able to cancel at any time.

Free 7 day trial	Under 2 minutes setup time
Cancel at any time	No credit card required
Access to all features	Test with dummy school data

How to Find the Right Music School: 10 Things You Should Consider

#1. Type of School

#2. Curriculum

#3. Career and Networking Opportunities

#4. Financial Aid

#5.Performance Opportunities

#6. The Faculty

#7. The Students

#8. The Vibes

#9. On-Site versus Online Classes

#10. On-Site versus Online Classes

👉 Over to You

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