Best Music Schools – Top Music Colleges
There is such a wide ranging choice now when it comes to picking a quality educational establishment for your child or yourself. As professional musicians we have access to a pool of friends and colleagues who have studied pretty much exclusively at the following schools and colleges. We asked a few of them for some comments and ratings, here are the results.
Music Schools:
Chetham’s School of Music – Manchester
The school dates back to 1653 and has a rich heritage in the North West of producing talented young musicians. The general opinion amongst musicians who studied there is that it is a great place to learn and the connection with the Royal Northern College of Music means that they get access not only to their great teaching staff, but also to many of the visiting professors and master classes from the college. Another opinion is that if the school did have a speciality it would be brass and percussion. Being situated in the North West means that these students are taking advantage of the wonderful and advanced brass band culture in the area.
Age range: 8-18
Number of Students: 290
Qualifications: GCSE, AS, A2
Our rating: 8/10
The Purcell School for Young Musicians
The Purcell School is an elite institution which was recently awarded the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of its unique contribution to music, education and international culture. This is a top notch school with a specialisation in Strings and Keyboard studies. Many of the countries leading musicians have been through this centre of excellence so it comes highly recommended.
Age range: 8-18
Number of Students: 175+
Qualifications: GCSE, AS, A2
Our rating: 9/10
Yehudi Menuhin School
In 1973 the School was accorded special status as a Centre of Excellence for the Performing Arts, and since then has been supported by the Department for Education. This is a truly elite school will only around sixty pupils specialising in Strings and Keyboards. Some of the current top string players studied at this prestigious school in the heart of Surrey.
Age range: 8-19
Number of Students: 60+
Qualifications: GCSE, AS, A2
Our rating: 10/10
Music Colleges:
Royal College of Music
Best for: Classical Music, Strings, Keyboard.
Previous student comment: “The college has an amazing ambience and air of achievement about it, everyone is practising hard and spurring each other on, the teachers are brilliant and the ensembles are really challenging”.
Our rating: 9/10
Royal Academy of Music
Best for: Classical Music, Strings, Piano, Percussion, Jazz.
Previous student comment: “Travelling from Australia to the other side of the world was a very big step for me but the Academy offers all sorts of support to help us through these challenges.”
Our rating: 9/10
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Best for: Wind, Brass, Percussion, Jazz, Music Theatre/Opera.
Our rating: 8/10
Previous student comment: “I went to Guildhall for the location and prestige of the brass department and I was not disappointed at any stage! The Guildhall is a great place to study.”
Royal Northern College of Music
Best for: Brass, Wind, Percussion.
Our rating: 7/10
Previous student comment: “I didn’t want to leave Manchester even though I was accepted into the London colleges. I am so glad that I stayed as Manchester has such a wonderful heritage and culture for music”.
More information
- BBC Young Musician 2012
- Ofsted School Reports
- Times Higher Education Report
- Music Lessons
- Music to Play
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