Thoughts on Picking a Music School

First…take all of this with a grain of salt. School systems and employers’ philosophies change. This is based on my experience from 2003-2009.

GOALS/ASPIRATIONS

What do you want to do?

Teach

Private Studio [Performance/Pedagogy degree]

Public School (K-12) [Education degree]

College/University [Performance and/or Education degree]

Perform

Classical Musician (in symphony, quartet, etc.)

Touring Rock Band/Jazz Combo

Small combo as a ‘house band’ or around the city

Session musician (jazz/rock/weddings)

Compose

Classical

Jazz

Rock/Pop

Teach & Perform

Combination of all 3 above.

ATMOSPHERE - how do you work/perform/function the best?

High Intensity (famous schools)- usually aimed at performance degrees (Curtis, Juilliard, Eastman, Jacobs School of Muisc, conservatories)

Lots of competition to be the best in the school at the instrument (Me vs. Them)

Strict private teacher who pushes unconditionally in pursuit of perfection

May or may not have a ‘holier than thou’ attitude.

Excellent resume - employers simply assume you are awesome because of the school

Medium Intensity (semi-famous schools) - usually aimed at pedagogy (private studio)/performance (U of Illinois, Hart, Yale, Mizzou)

Rather competitive, but still with peer encouragement (Me with Them)

Private teacher pushes, but with student goals in mind

Very respectable resume - employers will give a shot

Low Intensity (not necessarily recognized music schools) - focus aimed at music education - performance aspect comes secondary to fundamental academics and teaching skill

Not as much peer competitiveness (Wow So-n-So is awesome!)

Private teacher teaches in such a way as to show how to teach in a class

Basic respect level - some employers may put the resume at the bottom of the pile because they do not recognize the school

SUGGESTIONS

1. Decide and rank what areas are most important to you: Music Education, Music Performance for Private Teacher, Music Performance for Professional (gigging) musician, Music Therapy, Music Composition, etc.

2. Find a list of schools that has a great program for your #1 most important aspect.

3. Search those schools for the best #2 aspect. (Best of Goals/Aspirations + Atmosphere)

4. Make sure that the private teacher is someone with whom you work well.

5. Go to that school.