Music School- Get Informed.

So why does Berklee College of Music have such a stunningly low graduation rate, while top Ivy league schools near the 100% mark? It's actually quite simple to explain...

Think about the average Ivy League student. This is the kind of person who works their butt off throughout high school, develops a great work ethic, and in most cases has wanted to go to a particular school their whole life. They have done research, they have studied, and they have prepared almost to their breaking point to get ready for some of the most intense education they will ever face.

The thing that people don't realize is that music education requires all of the same work ethic, the same preparation, and the same dedication as any other kind of education. So many music students stumble into school on their first day and are completely floored by the amount of work required.

So what creates this widespread information deficit? Admittedly, it's not completely the fault of the student.

A school like Berklee (it's just the easiest one to use in an example) bases admission decisions solely on auditions, so naturally a lot of great players find their way into this school. However, a large percentage of these players are purely talent based, and while they may be great at playing music, they lack the skills and work ethic to develop into the kind of well-rounded musician that can really succeed. The thing is, only about 10% of what you do in music school is based on the amount of talent you have when you enter, and the other 90% comes with nothing but pure hard work and dedication.

Think about it-- When you go to a music school like Berklee, you will be paying the same tuition as anyone else in the nation who goes to a top private college, so shouldn't you treat it with the same prestige? People tend not to take music education very seriously, and for this reason so many fail.

Any time I tell non-musicians about how I am a music major, they all go on about how "man...I wish I could take all music classes! That would be so fun." It seems this same mindset has spread to many beginning musicians as well, and a lot of very ignorant people decide to become music majors because they think its "so easy". Pursuing a music degree is just as hard as attempting an engineering, english, or business major, if you are doing it right. The only reason people like to think that their major is harder is because they don't really enjoy what they do, and are merely told by their parents and teachers that it's very important work. They don't get any satisfaction out of it, whereas music majors must love what they do to continue on every day, and this makes it seem easier when things get rough.

When a music school lets a student in, it is because it sees the potential of the student, and assumes the student will live up to this potential. The thing is, very few musicians come with to proper mindset and work ethic to ever reach this potential, and they go on in life being nothing but average. Don't let this happen to you, it doesn't have to. All it takes is a perspective change. Start treating your music education with the respect it deserves, and you will surely succeed in music school as well as your career.

Have feedback? Need advice? Please feel free to email me: Nehal@Musicians-Make-It.com


Links (if a link doesn't work, the article is still being written!):

The Statistic Explained: Why is Berklee's graduation rate so low? Find out here, and gain a new outlook on your music education.

What really goes on in music school?: Take your first step to being "in the know",and learn the ins and outs of a typical music students course load.

What music school won't do for you: Music schools provide a lot of very valuable information, however, it is extremely important that you realize what they don't do for you as well. The reason so many kids end up hating music school is because they go there with false images in their heads.

How to rise above the competition...before you even meet them. There are a lot of very simple things you can learn before you ever get to music school, and they will set you miles ahead of the rest of the entering students.

$$$ Money, money, money $$$ Music school can be ridiculously expensive, but there a lot of ways to work around the cost and still get a great education.

Something you will probably never learn in music school: One of the most valuable lessons you will ever learn from music, you won't be taught by your teacher.