If you are serious about a contemporary music career, selecting the best type of music school education is very important. An ideal school is one that offers comprehensive, hands-on education in contemporary music performance (typically, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and voice), recording, songwriting, original music production, music business and related fields such as music video production and instrument-making.

Professionally-oriented schools offer programs designed to increase your technical skills, musicianship and performing experience to a level that will allow you to play any style of music. To evaluate the best schools of this type, you need to analyze the music course content along with the professional background of the instructors who teach them. Another valuable indicator is found in the record of students who have gone through the school – their success stories will tell you whether the school is providing relevant education.

Vocational music schools offer specialized training in instruments like guitar, keyboards, drums, bass, voice, and so on. Private instructors provide individualized training that suits your style and level while classes in technique, theory, and performance give you a broader foundation in musicianship.

Private schools and universities offer music programs ranging from Non-certificate training to Certificates, Associate Degrees, Bachelor Degrees, etc. Depending on your level of skill and the length of the program, you can either enhance and broaden your musical abilities for your own enjoyment or become an expert musician ready for concerts or the recording studio.

Hollywood, California is the location for several music institutes nurturing up-and-coming talent of different age groups. As the contemporary music capital of the world, Los Angeles also offers a vast number of private music teachers who can provide independent music lessons on typical contemporary instruments such as bass, guitar, keyboards, drum set and voice.

For the serious student, larger music institutes in Hollywood provide comprehensive training in contemporary music performance and technology, with courses designed by world-renowned music teachers and professionals.

Mi.edu – is one of the best music recording colleges in Los Angeles. Musicians Institute offers professional-level certificate and music technology degree programs for guitar music, bass, keyboards, percussion, voice, audio engineering, original music production, music business, guitar craft and music video, film & television production.

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: http://www.music-career-guide.com

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The Department of Music Entertainment & Industry Studies (MEIS) prepares students for successful careers in music, whether they are focused on performance, management, the recording arts, or are looking to develop an unrestrictive and comprehensive range of skills relevant to the music industry. The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredits the MEIS program.

MEIS Programs:

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS) in Music with an emphasis in:

music performance
music business
Recording Arts
Music Industry Studies

The Music and Entertainment Industry Studies two main tracks: Performance Based Studies, which requires an audition (noted with an asterisk), and Music Industry Studies. As the name implies, the Performance Based Studies track strongly emphasizes music performance, and within it, students focus on Music Performance, Music Management, or Recording Arts. The Music Industry Studies track is designed for students who are not currently musicians, though fundamentals of music, music appreciation and understanding are still an important part of the education.

Please see below for a further explanation of these four Bachelor of Science degree programs.

Performance Music*: Students perfect their talents and increase their overall musical understanding and appreciation in jazz, pop/rock, commercial, classical, and experimental music styles. The program includes specialized courses in small performance ensembles, applied study, contemporary improvisation, and analysis, culminating in the presentation of a junior and senior recital.

Music Business*: This program prepares students for careers in the rapidly expanding music business industry; graduates are able to enter such fields as artist management, music publishing, concert promotion, and record production. This Performance Based Studies emphasis develops numerous skills relative to the successful playing, promotion, and appreciation of music.

Recording Arts*: This area of study addresses contemporary technology in studio recording, sound reinforcement, audio for film and television, surround sound, and electronic music; it is intended to develop skills for creative musicians, producers, and technicians using both analog and digital technology.

Music Industry Studies: This program is intended to develop a broad range of skills in management, promotion, publishing, producing, the record industry, and audio engineering that will enable students to work in any one of the exciting music industry careers awaiting them. A well-rounded music education is also included, and while students are not expected to enter the program with a background in music, they do learn to appreciate, play, and read music in a non-threatening environment.

Admissions…

A student wishing to study in the Music Business program must be admitted as both a student of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, and as a student of the College of Arts & Media. Admission into the College of Arts & Media is selective, and based on several factors including previous academic records, standardized test scores, and audition performance. For more information on entrance requirements please see MEIS Major and Minor Entrance Requirements – Fall 2008 Semester.

All entering freshman and transfer students applying for admission to the Music Business program must complete an additional audition.

Students who wish to transfer to the College of Arts & Media from another college or school at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center must formally apply to the College of Arts & Media. Students will be considered for admission on either their overall GPA in applicable coursework from CU and all previous institutions, or on their last 15 credit hours. Applicants with less than a 2.0 GPA in related courses (from CU or other institutions) and an overall CU GPA of less than 2.0 will be denied admission even though they may meet other requirements for consideration.

For more information on the courses offered at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center; Department of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) please check out: http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/cam/meis/index.htm

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: http://www.music-career-guide.com

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