Choosing the right music school isn’t about getting wowed by a slick website. It’s about launching your future—on the right stage, in the right city, with the right people.

This isn’t just a college decision—it’s a career decision. The place you choose to study music will shape not only your schedule for the next four years, but your performance opportunities, your mentors, your network, and ultimately, your path into the professional music world. Whether you dream of scoring the next big
video game, performing at Carnegie Hall, teaching the next generation of musicians, or
leading a world-class high school marching band—where you go matters.

Think Beyond Campus — Think Career Location

Sure, dorm rooms and dining halls matter—but don’t forget to think bigger. Where a
school is located can play a massive role in the music career you’re dreaming of.

• Want to score music for video games or films? You’ll want to look at Los Angeles
  or Nashville.
• Broadway-bound? Head straight for New York City.
• Hoping to lead the next great jazz revival? New Orleans or Memphis might be
  your tempo.
• Training for the symphony or opera stage? Think New York, Boston, Chicago, or
  Philly.
• Want to play only mariachi? San Antionio or El Paso is your stage.
• Dreaming of conducting a championship high school band? You absolutely need
  to look at programs in Texas, where marching and concert bands dominate
  national competitions.

You don’t have to know your exact dream job yet—but choose a location that’s alive
with the kind of music you love and offers opportunities that line up with your future.
Yes, this might mean looking beyond your state—or beyond your 90-mile comfort zone.
Worth it? 100%.

Choose a Curriculum That Plays Your Song

Every music program has a different “setlist”—and you want one that fits your tune.
Look at the degrees offered and ask:

• Does this school offer my major (composition, performance, education, music
  tech)?
• Do the course descriptions excite me—or just sound like more homework?
• Will I leave this program with the skills, credits, and connections I need?

The right curriculum should energize you and move you forward—not box you in.

Your Professors Matter More Than the Logo

Let’s be honest: you’re not just learning from a school. You’re learning from people.
So dig into the bios of the faculty. You want instructors who are:

• Accomplished in your area of interest
• Still working professionally (performing, writing, conducting, producing)
• Connected to the industry you want to enter

If you want to perform, study with performers. If you want to teach, learn from great
educators. Faculty with active, relevant experience won’t just teach you—they’ll connect
you.

You Came to Play… So Will You?

If you’re a performance major, you need one thing above all: stage time.

• Do students perform often?
• Are there ensembles, operas, musicals, bands, jazz combos, chamber groups?
• Can first-year students get real experience—or do you have to “wait your turn”?
• Are the concerts open to the public or connected to the community?

Music is a doing art. Make sure you’ll do a lot of it.

Check the Track Record (AKA: The Alumni)

A music program can sound great on paper, but the true test is: where do their grads
end up?

• Are they working in the industry, teaching, touring, recording, or composing?
• Have they made it to the big leagues—or just faded into “what could have been”?
• Do any alumni have careers that look like the one you want?

If no one from a program has landed a gig in years… consider that a warning sign.

Final Note: Choose the Launchpad, Not Just the Logo

At the end of the day, the best school is the one that fits you. That might be in Texas (especially if you want to be a world-class high school band director—Texas marching bands dominate the Bands of America scene, and their concert bands are fixtures at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic). It might be a small conservatory tucked into a bustling arts district. Or it might be a major university with a football stadium on one end and a state-of-the-art recital hall on the other.

What matters is that the program helps you grow—as a performer, a thinker, a creator, and a human.

Don’t get caught chasing someone else’s dream. Don’t settle for “close to home” if it doesn’t get you closer to your calling.

This is your launch. So be bold. Do the research. Ask the tough questions. Visit the schools. Listen to your gut. Because where you go to school isn’t just where you learn. It’s where you launch.

QUIZ RESULTS

Mostly A's – The Conservatory Track
You’re laser-focused on performance and technical mastery. You’d thrive in a conservatory or a dedicated school of music within a university, where your days are packed with lessons, rehearsals, and performances.

Mostly B's – The Creative Arts Hub
You need a program that lets you experiment. A school with a strong music tech, composition, or interdisciplinary arts vibe is your best fit. Look at universities with flexible degrees or contemporary music programs.

Mostly C's – The Educator’s Path
You’re built to teach, lead, and inspire. Look for schools with outstanding music education programs, teaching internships, and strong conducting faculty. Bonus if they have connections to public schools or youth programs.]

Mostly D's – The Industry Insider
You want to work where music is made. Find a school in or near LA, Nashville, or New York with direct pipelines into songwriting, film scoring, or music business. A B.A. with internship options might be better than a strict performance track.