How do I choose a Music School (in Singapore)?
Part III
What to consider when choosing a music school
by Zeilver on September 20th
Hello Zeilver here, coming back to you LIVE once again from King George’s Music Academy!
Today we are bringing to you the ninth episode of a series we call- The Knowledge Pearls Initiative (KPI).
The KPI would be bite-size knowledge content centered around music, music creation as well as music playing.
Wish to improve your music knowledge? Wishing to learn more about questions that are rarely explored upon? You have come to the right place.
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THIS WEEK’S
KNOWLEDGE PEARL
Recap:
What to consider before choosing a music school ?
In the past 2 episodes, we have mentioned several things that should be considered before we start considering how to choose the music school that’s right for you, such as:
Your end goal
Which results in the type of music school you should go for
The Foundations and Testaments concept
Foundation points and how they weigh on the decisions
By having a deeper perspective on these matters, it would help to eventually make an informed decision on how to choose your schools well!
Read more about what was covered in the previous KPI here!
Foundations and Testaments
Just a brief recap onto the foundation and testaments concept, Foundations are what the school has to offer, be it facilities, amenities or even accessibility.
Testaments are focused much more on the human aspect of matters. Students, who are the walking ambassadors of the music school, are the testament of the music school’s ability to teach a student to do music.
Usually, most people shortlisting music schools are only qualifying (or disqualifying) music schools based on Foundation points instead of looking at the Testament points, which should hold a much heavier weight in qualifying a music school.
Don’t get me wrong though, a nicely decorated interior is definitely pleasant to the eyes, paid endorsement by a popular artist is charming to say the least, but ultimately these factors do not play an active part in your learning.
Testament points - The walking proof of Music Success
Testament Points are the most important points to look at, if we were to be shortlisting music schools to engage.
Simply, the entirety about Testament points can actually be summarized into one simple statement:
“Can the students of this music school do music?”
If the music school’s students:
are able to play music
are able to achieve their musical goals and grow alongside their goals
Then...
✔️ you have found a good one!
You may ask: why so?
Let’s take an analogy from race cars. We do not judge a race car’s performance by how smooth is the finish, or how shiny its paint is. Sure, its appearance may help in the impression that it gives but it’s not it’s jaunty appearance that wins races.
It’s the well crafted engine and well maintained parts that do just that.
Just like it’s not how posh and well decorated a music school is that determines whether or not it is a good school, but how well that their students are able to play music.
Easiest way to find out is to ask the music school about their students’ ability to do music.
I am sure, however, all of the schools would confidently say that any and all of their students are great musicians to be.
This might not be a satisfactory enough answer for you, and that’s alright! Some detective work never harms anyone… try searching for:
reviews on social media, their website or an independent forum
any video proof on students performing (performances, videos on their lessons, testimonials, audition videos) if it’s students playing music, it is something to help with your assessment.
However, if we were to break down these points in greater detail,
Testament points that we are going to cover are:
Online materials
Reviews about the Music School
Videos by the music school students
Public Concert/Performance by the music school students
Find out more from a current student
Online Materials
Online reviews about the music school
Searching on the internet in search engines like Google, and social media platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, Google Business to read what their customers (and students) are saying.
Prices, convenient location and nice decor etc should not be a factor in the consideration of these reviews. Remember: we are looking for tell-tale signs that students can play music, so matters such as cost should be considered only when you are considering the foundation pointers.
Videos by the Music School students
Music Schools sometimes will showcase videos of their students playing, be it lessons, cover songs, or a solo/group performance. These will help to give you a general understanding of whether the students are able to play however a Live performance or concert will give you a much clearer assessment because music schools can choose not to post the videos of weaker students.
Showcase videos like these could be found on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and even on the music school’s site itself. (Here’s an example of a Showcase Video)
Public Concert/Performance by the music school students
Intrigued by a few music schools? Try finding out if they do have public concerts or performances featuring their students.
At concerts/performances such as these, you would be able to discern if their students are able to play music well, especially in front of an audience.
It also gives you a chance to meet people like the teachers and perhaps administrator staff, so it also gives you the chance to see if you like the culture of the music school.
Find out more from a current student
Chances are, if you have been recommended to a music school after expressing your interest to learn music to someone, they might be or have been a student of that music school.
This is a great chance to know more about the music school if you do know someone like that. Asking them about the programs, their experience and how well they feel they are hitting their goals will help to give you a better perspective about the school.
Testament Points - Evaluation & how to do so
For potential students who are new to music, evaluating the music school’s students might be a tad tough. No problems on that though, I have just the tips for you!
Whenever you watch a student’s performance Live, on a showcase video, or even during lessons that you may watch online, there are some things that someone with layman music knowledge can spot.
Performances are meant to impress.
Performances are meant to sound good, so whenever it comes across as a very showy performance, that's because it's meant to be! Showy pieces are sometimes easier than simple sounding pieces, which is also why pieces like that are picked; it allows the students to wow the audience and at the same time, the students are able to build their confidence for performance using a simpler piece.
Instead of considering trying to consider if the piece that’s being played is complex, try looking out these 3 signs:
1. Confidence
Does the performer project confidence when they play?
If they play confidently, they are usually well-prepared.
2. Control
Are the students playing the music in control? (e.g. at the right volume at the right time)
If they are playing in control, it shows that the students are taught the right practices and technique
3. Showmanship
Are the students playing expressing themselves through their music?
If they are projecting showmanship, it means that the music school itself encourages them to express themselves as a musician artistically & creatively instead of just churning out another musician that can play sheet music.
No matter the type of music, a good musician prepared by the music school should display these 3 qualities. The only difference between a professional musician and a novice should only be the level of difficulties in the pieces.
If the student displays confidence, control as well as showmanship in their playing, the music school has done an amazing job by having the testament in this student to show for!
Thank you for coming to our KPI this week!
Coming next week:
How important is having a Good Music Teacher = Mastering an Instrument?
Do share this content to all your friends and family if they are keen on qualifying a music school for their music education!
Thank you for supporting us thus far, but the Knowledge Pearls Initiative will be having a name change soon. Look forward to it!
In the meantime, do drop us a like, share and comment on any “what if” or “how to” knowledge pearls you would like us to take a crack at!
