2. Top Music Schools
All of the music schools I mentioned in the opening of this article contain extraordinary programs in at least one major field of music.
The only other city I personally know of that has such a dense population of quality collegiate musical institutions is Boston. Boston has the New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, and the Longy School of Music of Bard College.
So there’s an automatic check-mark in favor of NYC.
1. Networking (Though I Hate This Word and I’ll Tell You Why Below…)
There’s a popular phrase that goes “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I would say that is generally correct if you are an aspiring professional musician. To use another phrase, “your net worth is your network.”
My problem with the word networking is that it’s far too impersonal and professional-like. Really, is working and meeting with musicians purely a business move?
If you truly want to be successful in music, trust me when I say this: care about other people’s work. Ask people questions about their music and art. Offer interesting insight if your musical values are aligned with theirs.
Coming into NYC with the attitude of “I want to discover the arts and minds of others” as opposed to “I want to network my way to the top” will generate so much more of a positive future for you. I absolutely guarantee this.
Perhaps the title of this section should have been “Making Friends,” or “Connecting With Like-Minded Artists,” but networking gets the idea across at least at a basic level.
So Should I Go to Music School in New York City…
As I wrote in the beginning of this article, you simply cannot choose to live in New York City without experiencing it in at least a visit.
NYC is a force unlike any other city you or I have ever experienced. It’s offerings are endless. It’s drawbacks are, to some people, as well.
I have encouraged many of my students to apply and attend school in the Big Apple. Usually, I come to this conclusion due to the student’s maturity level or family preferences.
The whole takeaway of this article perhaps is for you to focus more on where you want to live. Where is it that you want to see yourself making music? Where do you want your career as an artist to flourish?
School plants the seeds for your aesthetic goals, professional connections, and personal development as both a musician and person. Location is not the only factor of course, but it is important.
What Do You Think?
What do you think of attending college for music or otherwise in New York City?
Obtaining first-hand opinions on this matter can be supremely beneficial to the aspiring music student. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.