How you can continue your education!
There are many reasons a person might be looking to further their musical studies: a student discovers a love of music and wants to train seriously at an arts school or with a private instructor, a teacher needs continuing education credits to renew their certification, or a performing musician desires to advance their skills to the next level. Whatever their purpose, professional and casual musicians alike face the task of finding the right venue for their continued studies. Locating a school that specializes in the arts, a college or university offering the desired courses, a private teacher, or a summer camp or workshop should be given some research and thought. It's important that you find an environment in which you are comfortable and can have the most productive learning experience. Although we are not able to recommend schools or teachers, the resources below should help guide you in making an educated decision. Take some time when making these choices, and good luck!
Remember: Word of mouth is often one of the best resources! Check out the Future Teachers Forum to get input from others making similar choices, or who have words of experience to share.
- Arts Schools
- Colleges and Universities
- Distance Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Military
- Private Instructors
- Summer Study and Workshops
Arts Schools
There are many schools across the nation, both public and private, that specialize in arts education at the grade school level. Some of these are full-day programs that offer a complete curriculum based in the arts, while others provide programs and activities outside of the school day that students can attend to further their skills in music, dance, etc.
- The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts - A large number of arts schools are members of this organization, and their Web site provides an online searchable listing.
- State Boards/Departments of Education - When looking for a school in a particular state, try contacting the State Department or Board of Education. Their Web sites are relatively easy to find online using any of the Internet search engines, and the departments are also typically listed in the Government section of the phone book. Visit the State Education Departments and Online Education site, to find your state department of education information.
- State Music Educators Associations - MENC's state affiliates, these associations often have information about their particular state's music programs.
Colleges and Universities
The number of institutions offering undergraduate and graduate programs in music, whether in music education, performance, composition, business, etc., can be overwhelming. There are many ways to go about the search for a school, but it may be helpful to begin by narrowing the search by geographic region, tuition cost, school size, etc. Most schools are happy to send information about their programs and scholarship opportunities, so try giving them a call, and many details of programs are also available on school web sites.
NOTE: Consider checking into music programs with Collegiate MENC chapters!
Amazon.com - College guide resource books are readily available, and can often be found in school and public libraries and guidance offices. Though there are numerous sources for locating books such as these, Amazon was helpful in locating the ones below and others.
Guide to Performing Arts Programs: Profiles of over 600 Colleges, High Schools, and Summer Programs (Princeton Review Series)
By Muriel Topaz, et al; Princeton Review; ISBN 0375750959
The Performing Arts Major's College Guide (Performing Arts Major's College Guide, 4th Ed.)
By Carole J. Everett; Arco Pub, ISBN 0768923255
- The College Board - This site provides information on all aspects, from testing to get into school, to finding the right college.
- College Music Society - CMS maintains directories of colleges and universities and their faculties, and may be able to provide lists of schools based on their degree programs. Also see the "Education in Music" box on their home page. You will need to log in for the information.
- Excel-ability Learning - Guidance in what to look for when choosing a school, and listings of colleges offering music programs. Click on "Music Learning Resource Center" and then "Choosing a Music School".
- Gradschools.com - The most comprehensive online source of graduate school information.
- MusicStaff.com - Offers listings of schools by state and internationally; click on University Listings.
- National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences - NARAS offers a career guide which includes a listing of schools offering degree programs specific to the recording industry and music business fields. Click on Careers.
- National Association of Schools of Music - NASM provides a directory and a helpful frequently asked questions section.
Distance Education
- The Armed Forces School of Music, Army Element - This branch of the school of music trains musicians specifically for worldwide Army assignments. Some training is available through distance learning; click on "Online Resources" and see under "ACCP Subcourses".
- Distance Education: A Consumer's Guide - This is a helpful guide to distance education, including choosing a school, evaluating quality, information about accredited schools, technology, etc.
- Gradschools.com - The most comprehensive online source of graduate school information.
- Opera America - Opera America is a resource for helping teachers bring the world of opera into their classroom with curriculum resources and materials. Distance learning for professional development is available through the Opera Online Learning Center.
- Distance Education List: Write to info@menc.org to request a short list of schools with online music courses.
Early Childhood Education
- American Orff-Schulwerk Association - Information about the teaching approach of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman.
- Dalcroze Society of America - Read about the Dalcroze Eurhythmics method of music learning for children, locate chapters and teachers.
- Excel-ability Learning - Guidance for parents choosing music studies for their children can be found by clicking on "Music Learning Resource Center" and then "Parents' Guide to Music Lessons for Kids".
- Kindermusik - An early childhood music program for parents and their children.
- Music for Young Children - Learn about the program and locate learning centers.
- Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc. - History of the Suzuki method, teacher referral service.
Military
The following Web sites pertain to musical opportunities within four branches of the US Military:
Private Instructors
There are many ways to locate a private instructor, but choosing a private instructor can be a very personal decision, since this is someone with whom you will work closely while developing your particular skills as an instrumentalist or vocalist. Take time to talk to potential teachers in order to find a good match.
- The Music Teachers List - A musician-run site which allows prospective students to search for a teacher by state, instrument, or specific name within the United States or internationally.
- Music Teachers National Association - MTNA has compiled a list of guidelines to help with finding private teachers and the interview process. Search their teacher database of certified members by clicking on "Find a teacher".
- MusicStaff.com - Offers a searchable database for finding teachers by zip code or country by clicking on "search by instrument".
- National Association of Teachers of Singing - Information to help with finding a voice teacher.
- Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc. - History of the Suzuki method, teacher referral service.
A few tips...
Some teachers advertise their studios in phone books, local newspapers, and school directories. Music stores carrying instruments, sheet music, etc. often have private instructors on their staff, or have teachers in the community whom they recommend. Try contacting local colleges and universities to see if any of the music professors teach outside of the school as well, or if the music department has any recommendations. The music teachers in local grade schools would also be good resources.
Summer Study And Workshops
- Summer Study - MENC's Summer Study resource listing, updated and published yearly in Teaching Music and online, includes workshops and camps for students and teachers of all levels.
- American Orff-Schulwerk Association - Dedicated to the teaching approach of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, offers training, workshops, conferences, etc.
- Excel-ability Learning - Summer music programs for students and teachers, nationally and internationally, can be found by clicking on "Music Learning Resource Center" and then "Summer Programs".
- The Instrumentalist Company - 847/446-5000 - Instrumentalist Magazine provides a yearly listing of summer study programs (call for further information).
- Organization of American Kodaly Educators - The Kodaly music education method, summer courses, workshops, etc.
- School Band and Orchestra (SBO Magazine) - SBO provides a listing of several summer jazz camps in their magazine archives. Click on "SBO Archives", choose the March 2002 issue, and click on "Report: Jazz Camps".