Music School

If you're considering going to music school, you clearly have a passion for music. Maybe you want to be a producer, or an engineer, or a singer. Maybe you know you want to be part of the music industry but still aren't quite sure where you fit in. You probably also have a lot of questions, and maybe some concerns. Can you afford it?  Is it worth it? What good is a degree from music school, and what can you do with it?

While you most likely have more questions than can be answered here, below are some of the most common issues that potential music school students wonder about.

1. Who goes to music school? Individuals that want to work in the recording field. Some want to be producers, overseeing virtually every element of a recording. Others will study audio engineering, learning how to manipulate sound to create the desired effects. Other potential careers include post-production engineers, mixers, and even film composers.

2. What will I learn? A lot of the work that happens in the recording industry requires great inter-personal skills; knowing how to work alongside musicians, singers, and managers, balancing delicate (and not always sober) egos with the requirements of putting together a great recording. But at music school, you will be immersed in the technical side of the business, learning about digital audio, mixing and mastering, and programs such as Pro Tools. It's important to master as much information as possible, even if it doesn't seem to pertain to the area of the business you're interested in. The more skills you have, the more valuable a job candidate you'll be.

3. What can I expect to pay? The cost of music school varies depending on the type of program you attend. But like most specialized learning institutions, it's usually not cheap. For instance, at Florida's Full Sail University, a degree in Music Business costs $53,000. A degree in Recording Arts there will run you $72,775. And that's just for tuition. It doesn't include the cost of required materials, room and board, or living expenses. Keep in mind that there are also less expensive programs that focus on hands-on training by professionals in the business.

4. Who will teach me? Again, it depends on where you attend. At some music schools, the instructors have been around forever, teaching the same courses year after year. They are more likely be burnt-out on the job and less likely to have the most up-to-date knowledge. Ideally, you want teachers that are still successful individuals in the recording industry who can provide you with the most current, cutting edge information.  Make sure you know the background of the instructors at whatever music school you're looking into.