Here we will share the best music production schools for producing music and getting a music production degree.
The best way of learning how to produce music is by going through a music production school. In the competitive music industry, it’s important to get a quality education if you want to become successful.
Is music education necessary for a successful career?
With music being such a powerful force in our lives, it’s no wonder music education is so important for music producers.
The music industry continues to grow with more opportunities than ever before. For people looking to get started in music production, it’s more important than ever to use music education.
This is a way to start your music career off on the right foot and launch you towards success.
Music production programs at music colleges and universities provide the foundation of knowledge necessary to produce music. In addition, they provide students with real-world experience.
Music production education not only gives people the opportunity to learn music production skills, but it can teach them about the music business and give them access to networks they would otherwise never have access to.
Musicians need to be business-oriented and talented at music production to survive in the music industry. Music production education allows you to learn music production techniques and music business concepts.
By learning these skills, music producers can develop strong business relationships within the industry, leading to more opportunities for success.
There is no better way to learn about music production than by studying under an experienced professional involved with music their whole life!
What are the benefits of attending a music production school?
Getting an education is always beneficial, especially when it comes to music production. It can be a great way to meet others with similar interests and learn more about the best music software out there.
Music production schools are also excellent for those who want to receive a degree in their passion for music. These institutions offer many different music degrees, including bachelor’s or master’s degrees that allow students to work hard towards achieving their goals while having fun doing what they love most!
The benefits of getting a music production education: Training, Networking, Job opportunities, and Diverse learning experience.
The Best Music Production Schools & Colleges
Music education is important in the United States because many people want to learn how to make their music or record an album of songs.
Not everyone can be a musician, but anyone with talent and drive can successfully make music through these music programs offered by universities across the country.
Here is our list of the top music production schools in the United States.
- Berklee College of Music
- Full Sail University
- SAE Institute
- Point Blank Music School
- Musicians Institute
- The Juilliard School
- Curtis Institute of Music
- New England Conservatory of Music
- University of Rochester
- Manhattan School of Music
- Oberlin Conservatory
- Colburn School Conservatory
- Cleveland Institute for Music
- Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
1. Berklee College of Music
The college was opened in 1945, one of only a few music schools that taught jazz music from its inception. While also being among the first institutions to admit African Americans and women into programs within the institution.
Berklee and Boston Conservatory have decided to work more closely together. In 2015, the board at each location voted unanimously to integrate Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory gradually.
The conservatory has been associated with names, such as singer and songwriter Katharine McPhee, musician Constantine Maroulis, jazz musician, and composer Sam Rivers.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs:
- Music Production
- Music Business
- Guitar
- Songwriting
- Songwriting and Producing Music
- Music Composition for Film, TV, and Games
- Interdisciplinary Music Studies (Create Your Own Major)
- Electronic Music Production Program and Sound Design
2. Full Sail University
Full Sail University is one of the most famous music schools that offers a wide selection of music production and audio courses.
It offers career-driven, accredited degree programs in areas such as animation, business, and art.
It is one of the largest private universities in the United States and has been ranked among the top US colleges by “Forbes” magazine for more than a decade.
Available Undergraduate Degrees
- Audio Production
- Music Business
- Music Production
- Recording Arts
- Show Production
- Professional Writing
- Audio Post-production
- Music Copyright & Publishing
- Artist Management
- Music Technology
- Audio Engineering
Full Sail University was founded in 1979 by Bill Sahlman, who wanted to give talented professionals the opportunity to learn about their craft without being burdened with formal academia.
3. SAE Institute
The SAE Institute offers programs in music production, audio engineering, studio production, live sound, game audio, film production, game design, artist development, and more.
Tom Misner founded the Institute in 1976 as a career school for those seeking to enter the entertainment industry from the technical side of the business.
There are campus locations spread throughout the United States.
4. Point Blank Music School
Point Blank Music School is an educational institution that provides comprehensive training to musicians of all levels.
Point Blank’s curriculum focuses on the needs of the music production professional. This music college also offers an array of courses exploring the creative facets of music.
Available Music Production Courses
- Music Production Program
- How to DJ
- Music Industry
- Singing & Songwriting
- Sound Design
- Mixing & Mastering
- Composing For TV & Film
5. Musicians Institute
The Musicians Institute was founded in 1977 on the premise that musicians should teach and learn from one another in an environment of creative support.
Many influential and groundbreaking musicians have come from the Musicians Institute, and it continues to pass on that legacy to its students today.
Available Programs:
- Audio Engineering
- Electronic Music Production
- Artist / Music Producer / Entrepreneur
- Music Composition
- Live Music Event Production
- Independent Artist Program
- Studio Recording
- Music Technology
6. The Juilliard School
The best music production schools in the USA don’t come as highly ranked as The Juilliard School.
This New York-based university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for those who want to study music through a four-year or an accelerated two-to-three-year program, respectively.
Juilliard has a storied history that dates back to 1905. Dr. Frank Damrosch founded the Institute of Musical Art, and it became known as one of America’s most prestigious schools for music training.
The school is home not only to those looking forward to studying their favorite instrument but those who want something more out of life.
Juilliard is known for its intimate and personalized education. Juilliard’s 3 to 1 student-faculty ratio allows students access to teachers with expert knowledge in their areas of interest.
Alumni include pianist and composer Philip Glass, Musician Yo-Yo Ma, and John Williams, who composed Star Wars films.
7. Curtis Institute of Music
While Juilliard is well-known for its reputation and prestige, it can’t hold a candle to Curtis. The Institute is located in Philadelphia.
With only 175 seats available each year and an acceptance rate of four percent to get into this prestigious conservatory, it’s clear what makes them so unique.
All incoming students receive full-tuition scholarships and a quality education that can’t be beaten by many other institutions out there.
Curtis Institute is an excellent music production school with a unique history. Since it first opened in 1924, the college has produced many successful musicians, including Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber.
These musicians went on to international fame after graduating from Curtis as composers or conductors in their respective fields.
As one might expect from such an institution- which prides itself not only on quality education but also student achievement outside of academia – there’s plenty to do here!
8. The New England Conservatory of Music
Founded in 1867, the New England Conservatory of Music is one of America’s oldest independent schools for music. The school offers programs for strings, woodwinds, and percussion.
This Boston-based school stands as both a national historical landmark and an educational institution that offers undergraduate & graduate studies in performance or composition. Its diverse student body represents 46 states and 39 countries!
The school has collaborated with other prestigious institutions like Harvard and Tufts to provide students with an intensive music education that covers academic subjects.
There are about 600 concerts held per year at this school, and this is one way they keep up attendance standards.
Affiliated faculty and alumni include Fred Hersch, an internationally renowned jazz pianist; Kenneth Amis – the assistant conductor of the MIT Wind Ensemble.
9. University of Rochester
The Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester has been providing quality education for a century.
The professional school offers degrees in many different areas, including opera to jazz. They also manage one music library, recognized as North America’s largest academic music collection with millions upon millions of worths waiting for you.
The selection process for this school has been challenging, with only 280 students selected from over 2,100 applicants each year!
Students are taught by 95 full-time faculty members who’ve won Pulitzer Prizes or Grammys; these people know their way around an instrument, and they’re just regular folks like you and me too!
Alumni include Renee Fleming, Ron Carter, Paul Freeman, and Mark Volpe.
10. Manhattan School of Music
The history of the Manhattan School of Music began in 1918 when it first opened its doors as a community Neighborhood Music School.
Nowadays, students are enrolled from over 50 countries all around the world. Theatre was added a few years ago to the school’s pre-existing degree programs, such as Bachelor, Master, or Doctor degrees in music.
Distinguished alumni include Larry Hochman, Joseph Joubert, and Elliot Goldenthal.
11. Oberlin Conservatory
The oldest continuously operational conservatory in the country, Oberlin Conservatory has been recognized for its dedication to music education.
They offer eight undergraduate majors and a double major with piano accompaniment and vocals.
A conservatory is a place where one can go to pursue their musical passions. The nearly 500 concerts each year will provide ample opportunities for students and faculty alike.
Affiliated alumni include Grammy Award winners such as Marc Cohn, Alex Klein, Rhiannon Giddens, and Charles Harbutt. They all share stories about what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.
12. Colburn School Conservatory
The Colburn Conservatory is a prestigious music school that became independent from USC, allowing students more independence.
Despite being a relatively young music program, the Colburn Conservatory maintains a high standard of education and a competitive admission process that offers full tuition to those who are accepted.
Music is in the air at The Conservatory. Nearly 120 students are pursuing bachelor’s degrees at the school. Though it does not offer music composition or electronic music production courses – don’t let that fool you; they’re well known for their string faculty here.
Available Programs:
- Conducting
- Music Appreciation
- Music Theory
- Piano
- Jazz
- Strings
- Voice and Choir
- Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion
13. Cleveland Institute for Music
The Cleveland Institute for Music is a private institution that has been in operation since 1920, providing higher education to students.
It’s now under the direction of Paul Hogle. He was previously Executive Vice President with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and, before this appointment, spent six years at Juilliard School, where he served as chairperson on multiple boards.
Many alumni of the school went on to be successful in their field. For example, violinist Jasper Wood and concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Frank Haung attended pre-college programs at Cleveland.
14. Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
The Peabody Institute offers students the chance to pursue four major degrees, including undergraduate and graduate-level studies, or three diploma tracks.
The institution does not implement quotas but strives for balance in its ensembles by considering talent alongside available vacancies.
Those chosen are also considered Johns Hopkins University students at large. They are welcome to enroll in any classes or activities offered by the School of Arts and Sciences.
In conclusion, studying music production can be a game-changer for music creators, composers, and musicians looking to build a successful career in the music industry.
The most successful producers have a deep understanding of the technical aspects of sound engineering and are skilled in using digital audio workstations like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.
By enrolling in music-focused programs such as audio engineering technology or contemporary music, music students gain hands-on experience in professional recording studios and learn the creative process of mixing and mastering.
Certificate programs, complete producer programs, and other industry studies provide opportunities for professional development and finding employment in the music industry.
Whether through online courses, online degree programs, or online platforms, students can explore music history, music performance, music marketing, and sound production.
Most schools of music production offer courses on audio production, recording mixing, sound engineering, and technical aspects of music production. Game audio production and electrical engineering courses are also available, allowing students to specialize in specific areas of music and audio production.
Choosing the right recording school for music production is essential for music artists, producers, and musicians who want to hone their skills and make a mark in the music industry.
With professional recording studios, experienced industry professionals, and access to the latest in music technology, music students can unlock their creative potential and produce high-quality recorded music that resonates with audiences worldwide.
I hope this article has helped you get a better idea of what music production schools are available.
If you have any thoughts on this list or want to share your experience with going to a music production school, please share them in the comments.
