What Music School is the Best?
A 4 STEP GUIDE HELPING YOU FIND THE BEST MUSIC SCHOOL FOR YOU.
Another commonly googled question by parents when they start looking into music lessons for their child is “What Music School is the Best?”.
This is such an interesting question, because it depends on so many factors (and probably not the ones that popped into your head after reading that line).
Of course you need to be confident that the schools you are looking at have amazing educators and programs, but finding the best music school for you goes far beyond that.
Every music school has its niche, its strengths and its weaknesses. So how do you go about finding the best music school (for you)?
Step 1: Know what you want to get out of your lessons
Have you got a firm idea on why you are wanting your child to do music lessons? Some of the most common reasons we hear from parents are:
To support a well-rounded childhood
For fun & enjoyment
For instrumental excellence & progress
For the added bonuses (such as building confidence, finding their space, making friends etc)
To help them with their engagement & achievements at school
For career opportunities down the track
There are so many reasons for why parents want to engage in music lessons. Having clarity on why you want to go down this path will be extremely helpful in narrowing down your shortlist for potential schools.
Step 2: Be clear on what you value in the experience
This may feel a little ‘woo-woo’, but it’s incredibly important. If you know what you value in your experience, it will also help you in finding the best school for you. Here are a list of common values we see in parents when they are weighing up different music education options. It’s ok to have polarising values - this step is about knowing what you want to experience with your education provider.
Pressure-free environment
Fun
Community
Nurturing
Empowering
Inclusive
Modern
Traditional
Progress-focused
Excellence
Achievement
Cost effective
Are you able to articulate what you value?
Step 3: Know whats on Offer
Now it’s time to consider all the different things music education providers offer. Here are a few things to consider - make note of any that are important to you:
Close-knit environment
Robust offerings
Private Lessons
Group Lessons
Performances
Exams
Self-paced & Flexible
Strict curriculum
Payment Plans available
Workshops on offer
Make-Up Lessons
Flexibility
Close to Home
Online Lessons
In-Home Lessons
Lessons during the School Terms
Lessons all year round
Instruments on offer
Step 4: Pulling it all together & Making a Decision
When you are researching a potential provider, take note of the language that they use and the offerings they provide.
Most parents will simply choose the cheapest and closest provider, but this often ends things before they have even begun. If you really want to get the most out of your child’s lessons, enquire with providers who resonate with your values and your preferred offerings.
If you want your child to do exams, enquire with a provider who specialises in guiding students through the examination process. Don’t enquire with a school that focuses on learning for fun. They may be able to offer the service, but if it’s not their focus it could be a risky option for you.
If you want a really close-knit, flexible experience, look into private teachers in your local area.
If you want your child to focus on the soft skills that music develops, don’t enquire with provider who is focused on excellence, progress and results.
If you want you child to have epic rock star performance opportunities, enquire with a big school that has the budget to offer this.
It may seem obvious - but we see it all the time. We will have parents enquire with us because we are the most convenient option for them, but if we are misaligned in our values, we will always share other provider options because, at the end of the day, it’s in everyone’s best interest for us to do so.
