“Music is a more potent instrument than any other form of education” – Plato.
We all love some form of music. It can define things that we cannot put into words. It is a very distinct form of communication that transcends language. Whether you are playing a single instrument or in an orchestra of 100 people, music can always resonate with people. And if you have the skills to perform on the big stage, then you might be thinking of making a career out of music. So, if you are looking to enroll in a music school, then you need to look no further. We have compiled a list of the top 10 best music schools in the world.
The following list is based on QS rankings of music schools. Hopefully, it will inspire you to pursue your talents.
The Best Music Schools in the World
1. Royal College Of Music
Location: London, UK
Founded: 1883
Notable Alumni: James Horner, Vanessa-Mae
Tuition Fee: €9,535 – €38,550
The Royal College of Music is located in South Kensington in London. South Kensington was established as a cultural center by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. RCM contains a wide range of state-of-the-art audio, video, and recording studio equipment. It is also known for doing a lot of music-related research. It has a list of famous visiting artists, which includes names like Hans Zimmer and Michael Giacchino. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
2. Royal Academy Of Music
Location: London, UK
Founded: 1822
Notable Alumni: Elton John, Annie Lennox
Tuition Fee: €9,250 – €37,800
The Royal Academy of Music is Britain’s oldest music school. Founded by John Fane and Nicholas-Charles Bochsa, it received its royal charter in 1930. The Royal Academy of Music offers lessons in both classical and modern music. This school has a 10% acceptance rate and accepts students from countries around the world. It also has a two-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. The impact of this school is evident from people’s testimonials about it. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
3. Guildhall School Of Music And Drama
Location: London, UK
Founded: 1880
Notable Alumni: Sir Bryn Terfel, Daniel Craig
Guildhall School of Music and Drama boasts a lively community of musicians and actors. Founded in 1880, it is one of the UK’s most famous performing arts schools. It hosts two colleges, one for music and another for drama and production arts. The selection process for this school relies heavily on auditions and interviews. Foreign students must also showcase their proficiency in English alongside other skills. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
4. Le Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMD)
Location: Paris. France
Founded: 1795
Notable Alumni: Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel
The Conservatoire de Paris is not only one of the best music schools in the world, but it is also one of the oldest. It offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs. Due to the high quality of musical education on offer, entry in this school is very competitive. It only has a 3% acceptance rate. This totals out to about 30 students per year. But don’t let this stop you from trying to apply! It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
5. Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)
Location: Manchester, UK
Founded: 1973
Notable Alumni: Ricky Wilson, John Ogdon
Tuition Fee: €9,535 – €39,600
It is one of the leading conservatories in England. It is also the fourth one from the UK to appear on this list. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The Royal Northern College of Music is divided into six parts, each focusing on a specific specialisation. These specialisations include: Composition, Keyboard Studies, Strings, Vocal Studies, Pop Music, and Wind, Brass, and Percussion. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
6. The Juilliard School
Location: New York City, NY
Founded: 1905
Notable Alumni: Barry Manilow, John Williams
Tuition Fee: $86,714- $88,772
The Juillard School, or simply known as Juillard, is one of the best music schools in the world. In most cases, you would associate music learning with Juilliard. The school is attached to the Lincoln Center, where some of the best live music performances are held. This school’s main focus is on classical music and opera.
Juillard offers degrees not only in music but also in other related fields like dancing and acting. It goes without saying that The Juilliard School offers a competitive admission rate, with only 7% students being accepted. As one student says, “ I learned to demand more of myself as a dancer and a choreographer and as a member of the Juilliard community”. But if you have a passion for classical music, then this is the school for you. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
7. Royal Danish Academy Of Music
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Founded: 1867
Notable Alumni: Carl Nielsen, Victor Borge
The Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM) is a prestigious music institution located in Denmark. Established in 1867, it has a long history of producing world-class musicians. The RDAM is well known for collaborating and cooperating with some of the best music schools in the world. It offers programs in music and music pedagogy. It also has activities that aim to enhance the musical culture of the institution. These activities may include concerts, music festivals, and CD recordings. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
8. Curtis Institute of Music
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1924
Notable Alumni: Leonard Bernstein, David Brooks
Curtis Institute of Music is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the top music schools in the U.S. This school offers various diplomas, such as a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music. Only 5% candidates become part of the small student body of about 165. Unlike other schools, this Curtis does not charge any tuition and offers a lot of scholarships to students. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
9. Sibelius Academy, University of Arts, Helsinki
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Founded: 1882
Notable Alumni: Tarja Turunen, Karita Mattila
Tuition Fee: €28,000
The Sibelius Academy is one of the largest music academies in Europe. It is one of the three academies in the University of Arts Helsinki. The academy’s goal is to train musicians and artists in skilled, independent artistic work. Since its foundation, it has added a lot of different genres to its programs, from jazz and folk music to music technology. It is one of the Best Music Schools in the World.
10. Moscow State Conservatory P.I Tchaikovsky
Location: Moscow, Russia
Founded: 1866
Notable Alumni: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sviatoslav Richter
Located in Moscow, Russia, this conservatory is named after the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He was also a professor of theory and harmony. It is one of the two oldest music schools in Russia. The Moscow State Conservatory offers a range of degrees in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist. The conservatory hosts around 1300 students and is a popular destination for students of music to this day.
And that’s the list! Did it make you itch to grab your instruments and imagine yourself playing in front of a crowd? Or maybe there is some hesitation on your part. Maybe you are unsure about what type of musician you want to be. Don’t worry, because there are different types of music degrees that you can choose from. What are they?
What are the Types of Music Degrees?
Different music degrees offer different learning experiences. It is important to know which one to go for and pick a degree that plays to your strengths. The best music schools in the world offer a wide range of such degrees. These include contemporary, performance, and music education degrees.
1. Contemporary Degrees:
These degrees allow you to focus on songwriting and the ever-evolving modern music industry. You get to learn modern music like pop, rock, and country.
2. Performance Degrees:
These degrees are a way for you to get knowledgeable about performing through hands-on experiences. It gets you in touch with music industry professionals who can teach you the fundamentals and give you advice on the industry.
3. Music Education Degrees:
Music education degrees focus more on getting a classroom job and less on performing. A lot of musicians opt for these types of degrees later in life, when they can pass on their knowledge to the young and talented musicians.
Now this might have inspired you enough to pursue your musical career. But you still might be lost on how to go about it. So, what are the things that you need to consider while choosing a music school that is perfect for you?
Things You Need To Consider Before Choosing A School
1. Identify Your End Goal:
Recognise what you want to achieve with your music degree. Do you see yourself performing on stage? Or do you see yourself teaching music to others? Knowing your goals will allow you to pick a school that is best suited for you.
2. Research Programs:
Get all the information you can about the various programs offered by different schools. Some schools specialise in classical music while others focus on modern music. Comparing course details and offerings will greatly ease your search for the best music schools in the world.
3. Location:
The location of the school can greatly affect your experience. Schools located in urban areas offer more performance opportunities. On the other hand, rural schools have the benefit of offering a more focused and intimate learning experience.
4. Visit the Campus:
Whenever possible, always visit the campus of the school of your choice. Experiencing the environment and atmosphere of the school can be highly helpful in making your choice. Talk to students about day-to-day life and learn about the culture and community built by the schools
5. Look for Performance Opportunities:
You will rarely learn music from a book. To make a living through music, you must always be on the hunt for opportunities to play live. Frequent participation in music events can help your growth as an artist.
Conclusion:
The art of making music can be a bold and fulfilling endeavor. After all, there is a reason why musicians from the past have left such a rich and massive legacy. And to achieve what they achieved, many of them had the help of some of the best music schools in the world. They can act as a launching pad for you as well. Each of them can shape young, talented minds into the next big thing.
Also Read: Want To Pursue Your Creative Side? Here are the 10 Best Art Schools In The World