Learning music is an age-old practice of passing artistic knowledge from master to apprentice. Music is known as the universal language of mankind, and it has been shown that musical training may have positive physiological effects. Research also found that listening to soothing music after exercise was associated with decreased heart rates and blood pressure.
In this regard, American music is eclectic because of the many cultures that have contributed to it. American music encompasses genres as diverse as jazz, country, rock, R&B, and folk. The USA is actively bringing advanced music knowledge and instruments into the industry as time passes. It has also given rise to notable musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, and others.
In the United States, students may study music of every genre, from the classical to the modern areas, with instructors who are at the top of their fields, and network with other professionals in the field. Some of the best music schools in the USA with rich music degrees are elaborated on in our article below.
What Career Opportunities are Open to Graduates with a Music Degree?
Individuals today have more options than previously possible with a music degree, and those options are expanding. A degree in music is worthwhile because of the wide variety of careers that graduates might pursue, especially in the USA, where the music industry is worth $26.2 Billion. There are increasing opportunities for a musician to find work as the performing arts and other industries flourish across the globe.
It is a widely known fact that the American market for music consumption generates the most revenue. Career opportunities such as music producer, acoustic consultant, sound designer, marketing executive in vocal arts, special effects technician, choral director, instrument designer, music video director along with many others are available for music graduates.
Top Music Schools in the USA for International Students
American higher education offers a diverse selection of majors at many prestigious institutions. Listed here are some of the best music schools and degree programs in the United States.
1. Berklee – Berklee College of Music
Our #1 recommendation is Berklee College of Music, which comes in at #12 among Regional Universities North in the 2023 edition of Best Colleges. Over the years, 141 Berklee grads have won 332 Grammy Awards, the music industry’s highest award.
Undergraduates at Berklee may choose from 14 different music-related concentrations, including anything from performing to music business and production. These include majors such as composition, contemporary writing and production, cinema, and media scoring, along with a great deal of other options.
The total tuition fee for these is upwards of $21,000 per semester for Summer intake and $24,000 for Fall intake. Merit-based scholarships are a component of the application process for all undergraduates at Berklee, even those who apply without submitting an audition or interview video. These include fee waivers and stipends.
They also offer graduate programs in Music with majors in Global Jazz for which full-tuition grants are offered and Music Education. Musicians of all stripes may further their education and pursue professional performing careers by enrolling in these programs.
Being an excellent music school in the USA, they also provide in-depth training in novel approaches to classroom management and organizing lessons. These provide experienced musicians the chance to broaden their horizons by taking part in a variety of exciting performing endeavors.
2. The Julliard School – Music
The Juilliard School has been at the forefront of performing arts education since its founding in 1905. To help talented performers from all over the globe realize their full creative and leadership potential and become contributing members of society, the school is committed to providing them with an education of the greatest standard.
It offers several programs in music including undergraduate and graduate programs in performing arts, vocal arts, etc. Juilliard’s Music schools’ flagship undergraduate curriculum includes a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Vocal Arts degree. There is a minimum number of required Liberal Arts courses that must be taken in addition to the student’s music major.
The standard time to get a Bachelor of Music degree is four years. Students who are accepted as transfer students must complete a minimum of two years of residence at the institution. There are foundational classes there including “Ear Training,” “Piano,” “Lyric Diction,” and others. The tuition fee of this institute for international students is $53,300.
Their Master of Music (M.M.) in Vocal Arts degree program is designed for musicians who already have an undergraduate degree and are looking for further musical instruction and classroom education that will better qualify them for employment in the music industry. It offers elite programs like the opera and opera chorus at Julliard to students from throughout the world.
A minimum of 54 credits and 2 years are needed to get this degree. Scholarship awards at the institute are determined by the Juilliard Scholarship Committee, and they take monetary needs and artistic excellence into account.
3. Northwestern University – Bienne School of Music
Next in our suggestions of top music schools in the USA is Northwestern University, which is ranked #32 worldwide by QS World Rankings 2023. It is accredited by HLC. Their broad range of courses allows students to explore many different areas of interest. There are numerous chances for students to establish and take part in initiatives that further their education, development, and contribution to society as a whole.
Students at the Bienen School of Music gain excellent musicianship, interpersonal abilities, self-discipline, and dedication to musical greatness via their intense curriculum. International students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music from here do so to pursue a career in music performance or music studies. There are numerous courses offered by the University that may supplement a conservatory degree.
A Bachelor of Music (BM) may be earned at the Bienen School of Music with a concentration in Performance (piano, strings and percussion, and jazz studies), Musical Studies (composition, musicology, music education, and theory), or Ad Hoc (as an additional major). The full-time tuition fee of this program for overseas students is $64,887.
Nevertheless, Bienen’s Master of Music degree integrates the disciplines of performing, teaching, theory, writing, and research. Using an advisor’s guidance, students may craft unique course schedules from available electives.
The duration of their master’s degree in music education is one year. And a Master of Music degree may be earned in certain areas in only two years (Brass, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Music Education). Master’s tuition fee for international students is about $57,762. They also provide several merit-based scholarships to deserving students.
4. Manhattan School of Music
With a long-standing history and reputation for academic excellence, the Manhattan School of Music made it to our list. It has a high global ranking and offers several distinct courses in various fields.
Composers, instrumentalists, jazz musicians, and musical theater and opera enthusiasts may all find something to their liking in MSM’s 4-year Undergraduate curriculum. 4 tracks in this degree program—Major field of study, course work in music-related topics, Ensemble performance, and Humanities—offer demanding curriculum for performing or composing for the prospective professional artists.
Having among the best music programs in the USA, it includes not just the standard courses like music history and theory, but also a substantial humanities component that places a focus on reading, writing, and discussing works of historical fiction, literature, and theory. The bachelor’s degree has a tuition cost of $53,500 for international students.
Students with a bachelor’s degree in music may pursue a master’s degree in music theory and performance by enrolling in a full-time, 2-year program. The emphasis of the curriculum is on skill development and preparation for a music career. Financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships is offered to international students with fee reductions and other offers.
5. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
When it comes to music education in the United States, the Jacobs School of Music is now the biggest recognized institution. Founded in 1921, the conservatory is an integral element of IU Bloomington. The legendary violinist Joshua Bell, the composer and producer Booker T. Jones, and many more are among its distinguished graduates.
The application procedure includes a live audition, as is standard at other top music institutions. Every student must join an ensemble each semester, and there are plenty to choose from among the many choirs, bands, and orchestras. The music programs at Jacobs include a Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and even more advanced degrees.
Enrolling in a well-regarded music school greatly enhances the educational and professional opportunities available to prospective musicians. If your dream is to pursue a music degree in the USA, you can peruse through the top American music schools above for a start.
We hope that this article on the best music schools in the USA helps you make an informed decision about which music school to pick for kickstarting your career in the industry. Feel free to visit our USA Scholarships Page for more information about the different universities and scholarship opportunities in the USA!
