- Successful Student has compiled a list of the Top 25 Music Programs in the US to help students turn their passion into a profession. When it comes to careers in the musical fine arts, the job market is fiercely competitive and will only become more so as funding is cut not only from public schools but also other government supported institutions.
- Indirect costs are expenses that are typically incurred and not paid directly to the Eastman School of Music. Graduate Costs & Financial Aid. Graduate tuition is.
Usc Thornton School Of Music
The is one of the premier music schools in the United States and in the world. Founded in 1884 it is also one of the oldest which makes it one of the richest cultural centers of Los Angeles and the West Coast. It has over 1,000 students with a 20% acceptance rate. USC Thornton offers degrees in the areas of Classical Performance and Composition, Contemporary Music and Professional Studies. Thornton alumni include film composers David Newman and James Horner, Jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour and singers Jessica Rivera and Rodney Gilfry who perform regularly with the Los Angeles Opera. In 2013, The Hollywood Reporter named the USC Thornton School of Music as one of the country’s top music schools, and a “springboard to the industry.”.
Long regarded as one of the world's premiere schools of music, the Eastman School of Music offers a uniquely inspiring array of artistic, scholarly, and creative opportunities. Situated in the heart of downtown Rochester, the home of the world-renowned Rochester Philharmonic, Eastman's stellar faculty, enduring legacy and entrepreneurial edge place our students at the spark point where great.
The oldest independent school of music in the U.S., the (NEC) was founded in 1867 in Boston and has played a major historical part in the musical life of the world. It is the only music conservatory named as a National Historic Landmark. It consists of 750 students with a student to faculty ratio of 5 to 1 and an acceptance rate of 28%.
NEC also offers a unique 5 year program together with Harvard University, conferring upon students degrees from two of the finest institutes in the nation. It also offers degrees up to the doctoral level. New England Conservatory’s students go on to fill concert chairs, jazz clubs, recording studios, and arts positions throughout the world. Almost half of the Boston Symphony Orchestra consists of faculty and former students of NEC.
Located in Bloomington, Indiana, the is well known for the success of its students. It was the learning place of violinist, Joshua Bell and opera singer Richard Cowan, and includes on the faculty the pianist Andre Watts. There is a 25% acceptance rate of incoming students, and around 1600 students that attend the school. The Musical Arts Center that seats 1,460 people features acoustics and technical abilities that are some of the best in the nation as well as a world class opera stage. The Jacobs School of Music also has a 400 seat music hall that has a high beamed ceiling and side terraces.
The school offers more than 1,100 performances a year, including 7 fully staged operas and 3 ballets. Jacobs School of Music has the facilities, reputation and faculty to offer students one of the best musical educations in the world.
As the only music conservatory awarded the National Medal of Arts, is certainly renowned for its quality of musicians. Established in 1833, in Oberlin, Ohio, the conservatory accepts about 38% of its applicants. Oberlin offers Bachelor, Master and Artist Diplomas and also has a unique relationship with Oberlin College which offers a 5 year dual degree program. With a faculty to student ratio of 6 to 1, at Oberlin the students have easy access to professors of the highest musical ability. The music rooms, 150 of which have windows, boast a total of 233 Steinway pianos. “Together, the campus and community create a place of urban sensibility reflecting the music, art, and cultural richness of the world.”.
Moscow ConservatoryCo-founded in 1866 as the Moscow Imperial Conservatory by the brother of the famous Russian pianist and composer Anton Rubenstein along with Prince Troubetzkov, the in Moscow, Russia has as rich and colorful a history as the city itself. It is one of the two oldest conservatories in Russia.
In its beginning, Tchaikovsky was professor of theory and harmony, and students such as Kabalevsky, Rachmaninoff, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Sviatislov Richter have studied at this illustrious music school. With around 1,300 students studying in this historic city, the conservatory still produces some of the greatest musicians in the country.
The Moscow Conservatory is also known for its prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition, which takes place every four years, awarding titles for the top pianist, singer, cellist and violinist. The Moscow Conservatory offers Bachelor, Master and Specialist degrees.
Are you looking at different music schools to attend, but struggling to choose the right one?The best school matches your focus, whether that’s musical instrument and performance, music technology, or business-focused areas. First, we’ll start off by going through the top traditional colleges, universities and schools to study musical instruments and performance. Then we’ll broaden the focus, while showing you all the various programs throughout.Juilliard School(Image by Brian Lauer, Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic, cc by 2.0)The Juilliard School is located in the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. The school was established in 1905, with a century of storied history.
This has been one of the most widely known and well-established music schools.An array of well-known musicians started their music education at this establishment, and a degree from Juilliard is a strong stepping stone into the business (including coveted orchestral slots). So tighten your chops, and go for one of the best. TrogliteGood data points.
I guess I’ll have to provide my own editorial. And where is the “DIGITAL” in this story???? Seems like a HUGE opportunity to talk about how digital technology is creating new opportunities for both educators and students (or competitive pressures between these more traditional delivery models). 🙁I would never want to discourage someone from learning the craft of music.
But, I also want to help future students make smart, informed choices for themselves. I’m afraid that involves acknowledging some harsh realities. I’ll try to include some constructive advice.1. Actually do the math before taking on $200k in debt for a bachelors in music. What kind of job are you likely to get when you graduate? Subtract living expenses and 10% for savings. How long will it take for you to repay the debt if you can only afford the minimum payment?
How much interest will you end up paying?2. If you’re interested in a job in the “music industry”, seriously consider alternative educational paths. In many situations, a marketing or technology degree is going to open more doors than a bachelors of music.3. If you want to play in a rock and roll band, a conservatory is almost certainly a poor use of your time and money. I’m not saying you shouldn’t learn your instrument but a bachelors of music curriculum involves a lot more than that and no one in the audience is impressed by your certificate (except Mom).
Focus on your playing, artistry, and business acumen. The real world can be a very effective educator. As Nike famously said, just do it. IMHO, this is often a better investment in capital. Even if you fail you’ll fail cheap and quick which will give you a better opportunity to recover and try a different path.4.
A good percentage of these schools are selling pieces of paper (degrees and certificates). If a school is admitting 50 or even 75% of students who apply, the value of that piece of paper should be seriously questioned.
The Curtis Institute is a wonderful contrast in this regard. They are so selective and their students are so highly regarded that upon graduation significant professional opportunities are nearly guaranteed.5.
Are you headed for an up sell upon graduation? For many students, that piece of paper they bought for $200k is merely a ticket to begin accruing even more debt bypursuing a masters degree. This often feels like a bait and switch because when the school recruits for their bachelors programs, the future is described in positive terms. But, as soon as you get close to graduating.
Suddenly your career counselors are telling you that the opportunities you’re interested in will require a masters or doctorate if you actually want to get hired and earn a livable wage.Oh. And as far as schools that are missing from this list, where’s Belmont???.
Professor PhilpThere’s also NJ’s William Paterson University, just 20 miles from New York City. It features one of only two in-house music business MBA programs in the country.Also:– The music management BM degree (or music management minor) program has a unique ongoing relationship with WMG.– LA Reid, Julie Greenwald, Mike Easterlin, among others, have visited recently and spoken to/interacted with students.– Its weekly Music Biz 101 & More radio show/podcast has interviewed biz types from Doc McGhee to Michael Simon to Jim Mahoney to Joe Riccitelli. Plus, the show will travel with both grad and undergrad students to the Music Biz convention in Nashville this May.