Prescreens, Auditions & Acceptance

Featured image for “Using Social Media to Launch Your Music Brand”

Using Social Media to Launch Your Music Brand

Most music students today are digital natives—navigating social media platforms with ease, creativity, and style. At Inside Music Schools, we…
Featured image for “Does Early Action Increase My Chances of Acceptance?”

Does Early Action Increase My Chances of Acceptance?

In the ultra-competitive world of music college admissions, timing can be everything. Some students hope that applying early will give…
Featured image for “Scholarship Questions: What Music Majors Need to Know to Stand Out”

Scholarship Questions: What Music Majors Need to Know to Stand Out

College is expensive. Music school can be even more so — with added costs for lessons, instruments, competitions, and travel.…
Featured image for “Do You Need to Specialize? Finding Your Place in the Music Industry”

Do You Need to Specialize? Finding Your Place in the Music Industry

There are a multitude of stories, biographies, articles, documentaries, and other forms of media that detail musicians who are considered…
Featured image for “DIY Music School Admissions vs. Working with a Specialist”

DIY Music School Admissions vs. Working with a Specialist

Working with music college admissions consultants can help manage a challenging process.…
Featured image for “How to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter for Music School”

How to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter for Music School

Paying for college has always been a concern. Whether you're headed to a conservatory, a large public university, or an…
Featured image for “Simulated Interviews: A Key to College Music Interview Success”

Simulated Interviews: A Key to College Music Interview Success

Fifteen to twenty minutes. That’s the typical amount of time any aspiring music major has to help admissions interviewers determine…
Featured image for “A Guide to the Best Colleges in California for Music”

A Guide to the Best Colleges in California for Music

Mild climate, natural beauty with varied landscapes, access to top-notch cultural activities, a diverse population, and wonderful educational opportunities all…
Featured image for “Time Management Strategies in the College Application Season”

Time Management Strategies in the College Application Season

Time management is crucial during the college application process because students must balance their current academic workload, extracurricular activities, and…
Featured image for “Is a Double Major Worth It? Part 2”

Is a Double Major Worth It? Part 2

For students passionate about music but also drawn to other academic interests, a double major can be an exciting way…
Featured image for “Balancing Passion and Practicality with a Double Major, Part 1”

Balancing Passion and Practicality with a Double Major, Part 1

For students passionate about music, the decision to pursue a degree in the field is an exciting one. However, some…
Featured image for “Manhattan School of Music: A Launchpad for Aspiring Musicians”

Manhattan School of Music: A Launchpad for Aspiring Musicians

Nestled in a cozy, collegiate, and green enclave in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, the Manhattan School…
Featured image for “Networking in College: Building Connections for Music Career Success”

Networking in College: Building Connections for Music Career Success

Students who network early in their music education — even in high school — are often more successful later in…
Featured image for “Henry Godfrey Finds His Beat for His Future Music Career”

Henry Godfrey Finds His Beat for His Future Music Career

When Godfrey began working with IMS, he was tasked with developing an understanding of what he wanted his life to…
Featured image for “A Guide to the Best Midwest Colleges for Music”

A Guide to the Best Midwest Colleges for Music

Whether you live in the Midwestern United States or you want to experience something new with your college experience, you…
Featured image for “Leveraging Music Industry Internships for Real-World Experience”

Leveraging Music Industry Internships for Real-World Experience

Internships offer aspiring professionals a gateway to real-world experience and the chance to turn passion into career potential. For music…
Featured image for “Mario Williams: A Music Business Major with a Path Less Traveled”

Mario Williams: A Music Business Major with a Path Less Traveled

Mario Williams, pursuing a music business major with a concentration in Commercial Songwriting, learned much on his musical journey. From…
Featured image for “Double Major vs. Dual Degree Programs and What They Mean for College Music Majors”

Double Major vs. Dual Degree Programs and What They Mean for College Music Majors

Choosing a major in college or music school is difficult enough, but choosing more than one major – or even…
Featured image for “Apply to College: How Consultants Help Music Majors Refine Their Student Portfolio”

Apply to College: How Consultants Help Music Majors Refine Their Student Portfolio

Learning how to create a portfolio for college admissions might seem like a daunting task. With a few helpful tips…
Featured image for “Beginner Music Theory Aspiring College Music Majors Need to Know”

Beginner Music Theory Aspiring College Music Majors Need to Know

In my many years of teaching in elementary, high school, and in college, I found it best to explain to…
Featured image for “Music Careers for Music Lovers”

Music Careers for Music Lovers

In this blog, I’m highlighting some of the most important career paths in the music industry that allow musicians to…
Featured image for “Jaime García-Añoveros III Aims for a Double-Major in Composition and Philosophy”

Jaime García-Añoveros III Aims for a Double-Major in Composition and Philosophy

Jaime García-Añoveros III is a lifelong violin player who, in his teenage years, began taking composition more seriously. Having played…
Featured image for “Apply to College: Why Every Music Major Needs a Video Guide to Prescreening”

Apply to College: Why Every Music Major Needs a Video Guide to Prescreening

No matter which music major students plan to study, making a lasting first impression through the prescreening process is paramount…
Featured image for “Tanisha Lokwani’s College Experience at Berklee”

Tanisha Lokwani’s College Experience at Berklee

Just a few short years ago, Tanisha was a high school student in Dubai who dreamed of attending Berklee College…
Featured image for “Even Music is Bigger: Top Music Colleges in Texas”

Even Music is Bigger: Top Music Colleges in Texas

What style of music comes to mind when you think of Texas? Most likely, you answered Country Western. However, the…
Featured image for “Apply to College: What Makes a Great College Application Essay?”

Apply to College: What Makes a Great College Application Essay?

While it’s crucial to know the basic requirements for both the Common Application and school-specific essays, it’s the elements of…
Featured image for “5 Experts Weigh In: What is Good Music Practicing?”

5 Experts Weigh In: What is Good Music Practicing?

Practice. It’s the quintessential labor of any artist who wishes to hone their skills and advance their abilities, but in…
Featured image for “Jobs in the Music Industry for Non-Musicians”

Jobs in the Music Industry for Non-Musicians

Passion for music extends far beyond passion for live performance. Many interweaving non-performance roles in the music industry make live…
Featured image for “Understanding the Lingo of College Admissions”

Understanding the Lingo of College Admissions

Our goal at Inside Music Schools is to help students and parents navigate the college admissions process successfully. A large…
Featured image for “Rehearsal Techniques Auditioning for Juilliard Taught Me”

Rehearsal Techniques Auditioning for Juilliard Taught Me

I’ll never forget walking into my first cafe in New York City. Coming from Texas, everything felt like it was…
Featured image for “Pursuing Passion: Mila Mincy’s Path to USC as a Music Major”

Pursuing Passion: Mila Mincy’s Path to USC as a Music Major

For Mila Mincy, even at 8 years old, singing “just felt right.” With a firm resolve that music was her…
Featured image for “Why Is Applying to College for Music So Hard? 7 Common Application Process Challenges”

Why Is Applying to College for Music So Hard? 7 Common Application Process Challenges

Applying to college is one of the most exciting and stressful times in a teenager’s life. Although technology has made…
Featured image for “From College to Career: Navigating Life After Music School”

From College to Career: Navigating Life After Music School

For most professional musicians, a music school degree is an obvious and ideal path toward working in the field they…
Featured image for “Music Specialization: “Jack of All Trades” or “Master Of One?””

Music Specialization: “Jack of All Trades” or “Master Of One?”

Students and parents ask me whether fanning out or focusing is better — and I’m here to say, well, it’s…
Featured image for “Music Major to Music Major: Best Advice for College Freshmen”

Music Major to Music Major: Best Advice for College Freshmen

As you prepare to leave high school behind and study at music school, numerous possibilities await you. At first, it…
Featured image for “How to Wow the Faculty in a Singing Audition as a Vocal Performance Major”

How to Wow the Faculty in a Singing Audition as a Vocal Performance Major

Auditions are an essential part of your career, whether you are studying vocal performance at a top music college or…
Featured image for “Highest Paying Music Jobs In the Music Industry”

Highest Paying Music Jobs In the Music Industry

There are numerous employment opportunities within the music industry beyond being a spotlight performer. Rising music professionals may find that…
Featured image for “From Preparation to Application: Getting Ready to Apply to Music School ”

From Preparation to Application: Getting Ready to Apply to Music School 

Taking time to look ahead and plan for the music admissions process is a valuable exercise for student musicians and…
Featured image for “Leading Music Schools in New York City”

Leading Music Schools in New York City

New York’s music scene is thriving. In fact, some of the most renowned musicians in the world have attended music…
Featured image for “Making the Grade: Why Academics Matter for Music Majors ”

Making the Grade: Why Academics Matter for Music Majors 

Ok, we get it - you love music! You want to perform, create, and make music all the time.  …
Featured image for “Why Choose Inside Music Schools as Your Music School Admissions Consultant”

Why Choose Inside Music Schools as Your Music School Admissions Consultant

“I want a career in music,” your child announces. As a parent, you feel the pressure to give the best…
Featured image for “4 Expert Tips for Choosing College Musical Theater Audition Material”

4 Expert Tips for Choosing College Musical Theater Audition Material

Let’s face it. Choosing material for college auditions can seem daunting. What are they looking for? What styles make the…
Featured image for “Choosing the Right Music College in 2024”

Choosing the Right Music College in 2024

Choosing the right music college requires careful consideration and research, and it is important to take your time and make…
Featured image for “Career Paths for Music College Graduates in 2024”

Career Paths for Music College Graduates in 2024

Whether you are interested in performance, teaching, composition, or music production, there is a career path that can help you…
Featured image for “Parents, You’ve Got it M.A.D.E.”

Parents, You’ve Got it M.A.D.E.

In this blog we'll delve deep into the essence of the M.A.D.E. program, exploring its core components, the impact it…
Featured image for “The Evolving World of Music Education, Part III: The Future is for Multi-Faceted Musicians”

The Evolving World of Music Education, Part III: The Future is for Multi-Faceted Musicians

This 3-part series will look at a few ways to help make sure you enjoy a long, productive career in…
Featured image for “How to Prepare and Win your Audition!”

How to Prepare and Win your Audition!

As a young music student playing an orchestral/band instrument one can eventually wonder and hope to get a job in…
Featured image for “The Evolving World of Music Education, Part II: The Many Roads of a Well-Rounded Musician”

The Evolving World of Music Education, Part II: The Many Roads of a Well-Rounded Musician

This 3-part series will look at a few ways to help make sure you enjoy a long, productive career in…
Featured image for “Clearing the Path to Music School Success”

Clearing the Path to Music School Success

In 2021, Bob Mulvey joined the team at Inside Music Schools (IMS) as a special advisor to help music school…
Featured image for “The Evolving World of Music Education, Part I: The Importance of Change”

The Evolving World of Music Education, Part I: The Importance of Change

This 3-part series will look at a few ways to help make sure you enjoy a long, productive career in…