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insight on music and music education

Avoid These Common College Application Mistakes!
We’ve compiled a list of some common college application mistakes that we’d like our readers to avoid. Hopefully, after reviewing this blog, you won’t repeat some of these common mistakes on your applications when the time comes.

Is Music College for Me?
Many of you reading this article are in your final semesters of high school. You’ve followed a curriculum devised by school administrators for a dozen years and now the decisions regarding your educational career are your responsibility. It’s daunting to think of taking steps at your age toward a career that you hope will span the entirety of your working years. You’ve come to the IMS site to explore educational options that will lead to a career in some quarter of the music business.

A short guide to the perfect undergraduate audition.
The audition is a vital part of many admissions decisions. How you look on paper may have gotten you through the door, but how you perform in your audition can very well make the difference in your acceptance to the music school or conservatory of your dreams. Be that as it may, the point of this blog is to steady those nerves and help guide you through the audition process. This is an exciting time after all.

The Top 5 Highest Paying Music Career Jobs
Music is more accessible now than ever before. With social media, movies, and pop culture having big influence on the frequency in which music is used, a career in music has never been more exciting. We know the first step to obtaining a highly coveted career in music starts with obtaining a music degree. Naturally before getting a music degree, many students want to know, what music jobs pay the most and what music degree do you need?

Steven Lipman Interview
This interview speaks to Steven Lipman’s time at Berklee, and offers an inside look at the thought process behind being the head of admissions at a major University. This interview also speaks to the heart and passion he possesses, and offers a detailed look at the mentality behind his consulting company, Inside Music Schools.

Tips for Making Better Recordings at Home
Although it is not usually physically or financially possible to build the “ideal” recording studio in an apartment or home, there are ways to make a good sounding recording in any environment.

A Conversation with Chair of Composition, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
A conversation with Jonathan Bailey Holland that any young musician would want to read. Learn more about the man, and what his advice to young musicians would be in this climate.

International Musicians: Studying Music in the United States.
Inside Music Schools has helped many international music students seek acceptance at colleges and conservatories in the United States. We hear the same questions from many of them. You likely have the same questions if you are an international musician wanting to study in America. So, we thought we’d dedicate this post to answering some of the frequently asked questions we receive.

Desktop Audio Production for Students
In recent years, the portability and cost-effectiveness of Desktop Audio Production have allowed musicians to have recording setups at home. However, there are some things you’d want to know before setting up the best home recording studio possible.

Where Should I Study Scoring for Film, TV, and Video Games?
The effect movie, TV, and video game music has on viewers and gamers is powerful and has spiked an interest among musicians to learn the craft of writing to picture. Many composers work in all three mediums, which requires the ability to write for orchestral and electronic instruments, understanding the technology for pairing music and visuals, how to run a

Top Colleges for Popular Music
In a 1967 hit song, Roger McGuinn of the Byrds rock band sang: So you want to be a rock ‘n’ roll star?Then listen now to what I say.Just get an electric guitar,Then take some time,And learn how to play.And with your hair swung right,And your pants too tight,It’s gonna be all right. The song was a satirical oversimplification even

Conservatory, University, or Liberal Arts College: Which Type of Music Institution Best Suits You?
Among the primary considerations for those seeking to earn a music degree is determining the type and size of the school that will enable you to meet your goals. Depending on the major and genre of music you want to pursue, you’ll likely be choosing between a music conservatory, a small liberal arts college, or a large university. The academic opportunities and student experience are different at each type of music institution.