6 Music Colleges Training The Greats Of Tomorrow

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 1918 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 1883 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.