The music industry calls for intense competition, crucial
networking, and a lifetime of education and practice.
Several colleges and conservatories are dedicated to providing
a solid first step for students looking to
enter this professional world Here, in no particular
order, are some institutions around the world offering
budding musicians a higher education in the field.
Starting off the list at # 1 Manhattan
School of Music claims to be one of
the world's premier conservatories for classical jazz, and
musical theatre. Founded in New York City in
19 18 as an independent school, the institution
has since grown into an accredited college that
offers bachelor's master's, and doctorate degrees, including the
city's first conservatory-based degree program in musical theatre.
MSM also comprises several performance venues, as well
as the Myers Recording Studio.
Faculty comes from the city's renowned classical music
organizations, including the New York Philharmonic and the
Metropolitan Opera, while musical theatre professors, as well
as guest artists, have career experience on Broadway.
From classical composition and conducting, to jazz violin
and contemporary performance on a number of instruments,
MSM's multitude of programs nurture talented students through
coaching, master classes courses collaboration, and performance.
Coming in at # 2 is the British
and Irish Modern Music Institute. Centered in Dublin,
the college encourages creative freedom, provides real-world industry
experiences, and fosters an engaged community across eight
colleges in the UK Ireland, and Germany. Students
are given access to professional industry connections, experienced
tutors, and a choice of several specialist courses,
such as songwriting, music production, and business.
Individuals may join one of BIMM Institute's student
association clubs, or broaden the college experience through
a festival work program. These extracurricular activities provide
ways for students to network, gain industry skills,
and build confidence Meanwhile, the college's collection of
industry-led courses are advised by representatives from companies
such as Sony Music and Warner Music Group,
who introduce the transferable and soft skills that
help individuals succeed in the field.
Next at # 3 Berklee is a leading
institute of contemporary music and the performing arts,
offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs at its
campuses in Boston, Massachusetts and Valencia Spain. Students
of Berklee explore interdisciplinary approaches to music, incorporating
dance theater film business healthcare education technology, and
more. Many famous alumni have gone on to
win Oscars Grammy, and Emmy awards, including Quincy
Jones, Alan Silvestri, and Howard Shore.
Berklee states that cultivating the musicianship of its
students is the foundation of the college's curriculum.
The undergraduate core program is comprised of courses
in arranging conducting, ear training harmony, and music
technology. After successful completion of these primary courses,
students move on to additional studies in tonal
harmony, and counterpoint. In addition, the performance core
comprises a mix of private lessons, instrumental labs,
and ensembles.
Entering the list at # 4 is the
Royal College of Music. Founded in London in
18 83 by then Prince of Wales, Edward
VII R.C.M. has trained some of the most
important figures in British and international music history,
including composers like Holst and Britten, as well
as conductors, such as Leopold Stokowski. The campus
hosts a vibrant community of skilled and open-minded
talent. Performing groups maintained by R.C.M. include five
orchestras, two jazz bands, and the International Opera
School.
Situated in South Kensington, directly opposite the Royal
Albert Hall, the campus consists of the main
concert auditorium, multiple studios, the Britten Theatre, teaching
facilities, the library, and R.C.M Collections. Students have
access to instrumental fellowships, as well as over
500 performance opportunities a year, often in prestigious
venues and alongside highly regarded guest artists. Areas
of study include brass keyboard percussion strings woodwind
composition, and historical performance.
At # 5 the Royal Northern College of
Music is a Manchester-based conservatory that hosts hundreds
of students from nearly 60 countries. In addition,
RNCM provides a musical venue allowing students numerous
opportunities for public performances and collaborations with guest
musicians. The institution also has a forum for
research, with projects pertaining to performance production creation
history theory, and psychology.
Whether one wants to follow a classical route
or pursue popular music, RNCM's undergraduate courses supply
students with the opportunity to enhance and refine
their technical creative, and critical skills Elsewhere, the
college's graduate program seeks to bridge the gap
between a student's education and professional career through
advanced studies in performance conducting, and musicology.
Lastly, at # 6 is Musicians Institute. Located
in Hollywood California, the college of contemporary music
offers a complete education in every aspect of
the industry, including instrumental performance, DJ & producing
skills, composing for video games, audio engineering, guitar
building, music business, and training in the latest
technology. The Institute strives to cultivate talented individuals
from across all backgrounds with conscious efforts to
enrich the global public.
Musicians Institute offers programs and educational pathways to
match all goals, from certificate courses to master's
degrees. The Music Event Production program, for instance,
provides aspiring sound engineers with the opportunity to
work in professional stage and event scenarios Meanwhile,
a concentrated study in songwriting gives students a
chance to write and produce original music, while
exploring other areas of the industry, such as
writing for other artists, or for television film,
and advertising.