Music Education and Training

Making the most of your music education and training search
By Nikki Davis Whether you are an aspiring music major or the parent of one, finding the best musician education and training is a critical education decision not to be taken lightly.

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

To decide on the best music education and training program for you:

1. Decide how distance factors in. How far away from home are you willing to go? Music schools closer to home may be less expensive to attend, whereas music education colleges that offer you a better program may require a relocation while school is in session.

2. Next, factor in your budget. Casual music training may cost you a few hundred dollars, but a music education degree may cost you tens of thousands of dollars by the time you factor in travel, tuition, room and board, books and supplies.

3. Lastly, look how much time you have to commit to your musical training.

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.
Try:  Check out the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics page on careers in the music field. Look at the resources offered by the National Association for Musical Education. Their site offers publications on policies, rules, standards and laws in the music field.

Use a university music programs search engine

Instead of using Google or Yahoo, look to search engines specifically designed to give you information by majors such as university music programs.
Try:  Use The CollegeBound Network to find schools that offer Music Production. Find background information on the career of music performance and more from CollegeBoard.

Look at nationally noted college and university music programs

Consider the top music education programs in the country.
Try:  Look into the admissions process at The Juilliard School in New York. Find out more about the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe and Gilbert, AZ. They have spent millions of dollars on their facilities and they offer a wide variety of programs. Also, every year U.S. News & World Report ranks schools based on their various programs and offerings. Start there for a list of additional schools who make the excell in music education.

• 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 music education programs, but if their students don't feel that the experience has been rewarding for them, you might consider an alternative school choice.