Introduction

Music is without doubt a glamorous business: whether you choose to be a concert pianist or a rock star, it is a way of life that gives artists’ creative license to express themselves in their own unique way, create a fan base and when lucky, earn big bucks.

In the year 2011 alone, the music industry racked up close to $67.6 billion in revenues. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it takes an incredible amount of talent, creativity, passion, individuality and persistence to make it. The fact is only a very small percentage of those in the music industry do indeed make it to the top.

Having a music degree under your belt can definitely give you a leg-up and set the stage for a career in the music industry. Make sure to choose your music school carefully.

Having a music degree under your belt can definitely give you a leg-up and set the stage for a career in the music industry. Make sure to choose your music school carefully for what you choose can greatly impact your career depending on the courses offered, the school’s past history, class size, alumni and faculty. What a particular school will eventually equip you with when you graduate into the real world is of utmost value to those who will go on to look at your resume. But having said that, it is not necessary to look upon the profession as one homogenous piece: there are a range of careers to pick from in this creative business.

The kinds of jobs on offer include: entertainer, music manager, music producer, composer, jingles writer, film score composer and music teacher. There are also high paying jobs within the music industry that don’t involve performing music and these include vacancies for entertainment lawyers, sound engineers, administrators, PR specialists, and maintenance/ tuning personnel who broadly ensure that the music business and its technical aspects run smoothly.

Top Ranking Music Schools in the USA

The world’s best music schools are in the USA both for those who want to go on to perform music or take care of its business aspects.

The world’s best music schools are in the USA both for those who want to go on to perform music or take care of its business aspects. Although each candidate may prefer a different school based on the courses available, the general consensus is that there is a hierarchy within these schools in each genre, in spite of their overall top reputations.

The trick is to identify your genre of interest and find the school that has distinction in that genre in order to find the most appropriate school. Some schools offer workshops and lectures by individuals who have achieved distinction and excelled in their field.

There are also independent entities known as conservatories that focus only on music or the performing arts but remain affiliated to a university such as the Eastman School of music, which is affiliated to the University of Rochester. According to eHow.com the top ten ranking music schools in the USA are as follows:

1. Harvard University

2. Yale University

3. Juilliard School of Music

4. University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music

5. Vanderbilt University

6. Berklee College of Music

7. Oberlin College

8. Manhattan School of Music

9. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

10. Bucknell University

Timing the Music Degree

Most leading music schools and colleges require you to audition with your instrument of choice or a review of the student’s composition work as a prequalification before entering a degree program.

Some require the instructor’s permission in order to attend the class. Other tests such as ear training and knowledge of the theory of music are done before placing the student in an appropriate program.

Most leading music schools and colleges require you to audition with your instrument of choice or a review of the student’s composition work as a prequalification before entering a degree program.

During the course, it is not unusual for students to be assessed for progress in the form of performances, recitals and jury examinations. Most courses are accredited to the National Association of Schools of Music to maintain a nationwide set standard. Students can sign up for a course straight out of high school as long as they have the required knowledge of music.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Music can be classified into two categories: Bachelor of Arts in Music which focuses more on the performing arts and the Bachelor of Science in music which caters more to the technical and business aspects of the industry.

The Masters Program can be a Masters of Music degree for performers or a Masters of Music Education degree for aspiring music teachers and educators. Pre-qualifications to a Masters program often require some performance history or participation in a research project.

Doctoral degrees may be one of two: a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) which involves a traditional dissertation or a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) which is a study of composition and performance which can only be completed by performing a body of work.

Money Matters

Getting a degree in music is no easy matter, nor is it cheap. These courses are geared towards gifted musicians who intend to make a successful career out of it. Most reputed schools are equipped to shape the careers of their students by providing them with all the knowledge and information; exposure, infrastructure and contacts within the industry but there is a price.

Getting a degree in music is no easy matter, nor is it cheap. These courses are geared towards gifted musicians who intend to make a successful career out of it.

The estimated tuition for a 9 month school year at Juilliard is $33,630 not including room and board, which can range between $13,000 and $16,000 approximately, with an additional $4,274 for books and supplies. Harvard’s Music Program costs about the same at $33,696 with approximately $12,000 for on-campus accommodation. In fact most music schools, whether it is the Manhattan School of Music or the Berklee College in Boston tend to cost between $40,000 and $50,000 annually, all inclusive.

Most colleges provide some form of student aid in the form of loans and grants. Some have scholarships and President’s Awards, qualifications for which are based on the student’s admission material and audition scores. These need to be applied to individually and usually entail a small fee but come with no guarantees. Unlike traditional colleges, auditions, entry-level tests and other prerequisites can make this a tedious and nerve racking experience. The key to a smooth transition is to be well informed by doing in-depth research of the school of choice.

Job Opportunities

Unlike traditional colleges, auditions, entry-level tests and other prerequisites can make this a tedious and nerve racking experience. The key to a smooth transition is to be well informed by doing in-depth research of the school of choice.

In the performance arena the options include becoming a recording artist/concert performer/cruise ship musician/Broadway performer/orchestra musician/Rock/ Pop/Jazz band member/back-up musician or singer/event performer/wedding and marching band musician/ conductor/choir director or opera singer.

Hotels, theme parks, cruise ships, restaurants, nightclubs and bars are good places to start out as a part time musician.

In the business aspect of the profession: you could aspire to be a booking agent/concert promoter/publicist/band manager or tour coordinator.

Recording artist jobs include writing and composing music scores for movies and jingles or being an original songwriter.

If the competition is fierce in any business, it is more so in the music business given that the opportunities are far less than the number of graduates passing out each year.

Other jobs include being a music journalist/music therapist/music director/music producer /music teacher at school, college or university/ supervisor/ music shop sales officer or manager/disk or video jockey/technician or tuner.

If the competition is fierce in any business, it is more so in the music business given that the opportunities are far less than the number of graduates passing out each year. Most performers find themselves gravitating towards teaching or tutoring private lessons as a means to supplementing their income when starting out.