Learn college and university music programs basics to determine the best way to advance your musical career. No matter what your age or social status, music education in a formal setting enhances natural talent and increases your marketability.

Find a university music program that highlights your natural talent and broadens your cultural perspective. Some ways you can find the perfect educational setting for your unique talents and budget include the following strategies:

1. Determine the best college music programs for your particular talents.

2. Delve through catalogs to analyze college and university music programs basics.

3. Look for college music programs that offer scholarships and grants.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a list of universities with music programs that specialize in composition

Music composition and performance is very different from music education. Some colleges specialize in these fields, offering students venues for getting their compositions and instrument-playing heard.

I recommend: Go to The College Board to find colleges that specialize in music composition and music theory as well as performance. The website explains what's involved in learning the language of music. Indiana University teaches students the fine details of composition from traditional style to computers. It has regular concerts open to the public and other avenues for the public to hear student compositions and performances.

Look up requirements in catalogues for music programs in universities

Search for universities with strong music programs by reading reviews and studying catalogs to determine which music programs offer what you are looking for. Different universities specialize in different types of music from music education to composition or performing. The catalogues will tell you what classes you need to take to complete the program, any prerequisite classes and the major study for the program.

I recommend: Education-portal.com defines what one should look for in a music school and highlights some of the best. Its website offers links to music universities, so prospective students can determine which colleges best suit their individualized needs. MENC: The National Association for Music Education offers a series of brochures related to music education. It provides statistics and expected salaries as well as educational information for areas such as music publishing to music education.

Get a degree in music education with college music programs

When deciding whether to pursue a career in performance or music education, look at the different study plans. A music education course teaches general bands, vocals and instrument courses and offers practical experience in elementary through high school classrooms.

I recommend: Illinois State University offers students a list of questions to help a musician determine whether to pursue a performance or music education path. It recommends taking courses in your main instrument while learning how to become a music educator. Berkleemusic, an accredited program, offers online courses in music education. It focuses on contemporary music.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Visit colleges with music programs and attend classes for a day or two to determine whether the classes suit your learning style and meet your musical expectations.

Whether you are an aspiring music major or the parent of one, finding the best college music programs is a critical education decision not to be taken lightly.

When look at music programs in universities, consider what sort of career path you are wanting to take with the degree. Whether you are you looking into going into teaching, music therapy, performing, the music industry, composition or editing, finding the right school is imperative to the path you or your child will want to take.

To find the best college music programs:

1. Look at ranked or noted university music programs.

2. Weigh scholarship opportunities at all of your choices. Top college music programs may not have the scholarship offerings that you require, while a smaller school may cover a large portion of your tuition costs.

3. Visit the campus of your choice before making a commitment. See their university music program first hand to make sure it will be a good fit for you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at statistics before starting your search for university music programs

Before you choose to pursue a career in music, look at some of the statistics on the field.

I recommend: Careers in Music looks at education required, potential earnings. qualifications and skills sets necessary. Berklee College of Music gives an in depth look at the various music career categories and their related jobs. Shepherd School of Music takes a look at the music career path as well as tools. The National Association for Music Education, the world's largest arts education organization, gives a humorous look at music education and career information.

Use a niche search engine for finding university music programs

Instead of using Google or Yahoo, look to search engines specifically designed to give you information by majors such as university music programs.

I recommend: It's free to sign up for EdSoup, and there you can find desired college information and achievement and financial aid information as well. You can also find information on prospective colleges at The CollegeBound Network.

Look at nationally noted college and university music programs

Every year, U.S. News & World Report, ranks schools based on their various programs and offerings. In 2008, the following schools were noted as colleges with great music programs: Abilene Christian University, Brown University, DePauw University and Millikin University.

I recommend: Abilene Christian University's music page offers you scholarship information as well as additional prospective student information. Brown University has both undergraduate and graduate opportunities. DePauw University recently completed a new performing arts building project. Millikin University's music site gives you audition information and degree options.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking at universities with music programs, also ask to speak with both their faculty and their students. A school may be ranked as one of the best college music programs, but if their students don't feel that the experience has been rewarding for them, you might reconsider the school itself.

Even if you've already established yourself in the music industry, enhancing your talents with college and university music programs education and training makes you appear more professional. Many clients appreciate credentials and view them as reinforcement of your talent offerings.

College music programs attract students of all ages, and busy professionals can take one or two courses at a time to work around business meetings and work hours. If you want to add a music degree to your resume you might want to:

1. Look for music programs in universities that offer reduced tuition for locals.

2. Find college and university music programs education and training online to study.

3. Compare colleges with good music programs and look for ones that also offer workshops for the general public.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find university music programs in your area to reduce educational costs

Many of the best college music programs and best university music programs have reduced tuition for students living in the area or even the state. Attending a local university or college also saves on room and board and gives you the option to adjust your courses around your work schedule.

I recommend: All Star Directories offers a list of universities and colleges offering music programs. It lists the educational institutions by state and also by unique musical offerings including pedagogy, jazz and general music. MusicStaff.com is another site that offers a state listing of educational settings where you can receive a degree in music. Its detailed list covers many states in the United States as well as in other countries around the world.

Consider online resources for the college music program

Many colleges with good music programs offer courses online. These courses range from music presentation to theory and composition.

I recommend: Boston University offers masters and doctorate degrees in music. It provides course lectures online and assignments through email and other online formats. Look into eLearners.com for a listing of degree offerings in the music field. This site lists schools and their offerings for those interested in learning online.

Attend workshops at colleges with music programs to brush up on your techniques

Whether you are going for a degree or just need a refresher course, consider attending a music workshop at a college. This keeps you current with industry trends.

I recommend: DePaul offers a series of Master classes and workshops that count toward credit hours. It even provides workshops for music managers. Southern Oregon University offers workshops for musicians who want to brush up and fine tune their skills. Its workshops cover chamber music, band, piano and saxophone.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Scan though online social networking sites for musicians to get the inside scoop on universities with strong music programs.

When one works with a college or university music program, one realizes that there are many facets to the job. The education goes well beyond performance. Understanding college and university music programs key terms helps faculty and students understand all the program offers.

Music students learn a variety of musical standards from theory to world music. Knowing college and university music programs key terms helps students and faculty communicate with each other on the finer points of musical education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Vocal

The term vocal refers to something that relates to the voice. Colleges and universities offering music courses frequently offer vocal lessons, educating students on ways to maximize vocal potential.

I recommend: You can learn more about a vocal program by reading the information on the voice program at the Musicians Institute.

Instrumental

Many colleges and universities offer instrumental lessons, even for non-instrumental majors. This term refers to performing on musical instruments, such as ones played in an ensemble, like a violin or trumpet.

I recommend: The University of Central Missouri offers a detailed look at what one might expect when attending a college or university for instrumental training. You can learn more by clicking on the link "Bachelor of Music Education: Instrumental Emphasis."

Composing

Composing courses at a university or college involve the creation of music through thinking and organizing music. It covers topics such as adapting pieces of music, arranging music, enriching musical pieces or creating totally new works of music.

I recommend: Go to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University website for information on composition and music theory. This site discusses the benefits of this type of university and college education and explains what one might expect from the classes.

Conducting

Many universities and colleges offer a conducting education. This involves leading a musical performer or group such as an orchestra through a piece of music, generally with hand motions.

I recommend: SMU, a school of the arts, details courses one must take to receive a degree in conducting. It highlights the titles of the courses, as well as credit hours you receive for taking the courses.

Ethnomusicologist

An ethnomusicologist is one who studies a particular type of music from a certain region or people from its cultural or social viewpoint.

I recommend: The Center for Ethnomusicology at Columbia University offers a wealth of information and resources for an ethnomusicologist. It offers links to books, studies and music reviews.

Hazzan

Universities and colleges sometimes offer musical lessons for students interested in becoming a hazzan, also called a cantor. This is a person who conducts a liturgical religious service, generally Jewish, through chanting and the singing of prayers.

I recommend: Kehilat Shalom offers a detailed explanation of a hazzan, including training places. It highlights, Kimberly Komrad, a female hazzan.