Music school recommendations?

swiftbear86 said:That’s not necessarily true.
We actually enrolled our daughter in music school during fourth grade.
Based on her teacher's recommendation back in second grade, she was put on an accelerated track, which allowed her to wrap up both second and third grade levels in a single school year.
Because of that, she finished her primary music studies right around the same time she finished elementary school.

And honestly, she still loves playing today.🙂

Even just completing four years of music school is enough to get those extra credit points when applying to High School.

but that doesn't count as finishing the full six-year primary music program.

Larry Walker24 said:but that doesn't count as finishing the full six-year primary music program.

I wasn't saying you need to graduate from a specialized High School to get those extra points. You just need to have at least four years under your belt.

My daughter actually graduated from one of those programs.

I was mostly talking about those bonus points Nicholas King brought up. Plus, there's the issue of it being way too late to start that kind of training if the kid is already heading into 4th grade.

"Evaluating other exceptional achievements from previous schooling
Candidates can also receive credit for other outstanding achievements from their prior education, provided that:
- they completed middle school while simultaneously finishing at least four years of a music or dance academy that holds
approval from the Department of Education, earning 2 additional points toward enrollment in "

swiftbear86 said:I wasn't saying you need to graduate from a specialized High School to get those extra points. You just need to have at least four years under your belt.

My daughter actually graduated from one of those programs.

I was mostly talking about those bonus points Nicholas King brought up. Plus, there's the issue of it being way too late to start that kind of training if the kid is already heading into 4th grade.

"Evaluating other exceptional achievements from previous schooling
Candidates can also receive credit for other outstanding achievements from their prior education, provided that:
- they completed middle school while simultaneously finishing at least four years of a music or dance academy that holds
approval from the Department of Education, earning 2 additional points toward enrollment in "

I was specifically talking about the points awarded when a kid drops out of music programs after third grade. I wrote that it was a shame they lost out on points over just one single year—so, no, I wasn't claiming you have to finish all of High School to get them.

As for that story of yours involving grade skipping and all that other nonsense, I honestly see it as more of a confirmation than a refutation of my point. I mean, why would anyone even bother skipping a grade if it wasn't because the kid enrolled "too late"? Why wouldn't a child just follow the standard 😁year-by-year
progression?

swiftbear86 said:I wasn't saying you need to graduate from a specialized High School to get those extra points. You just need to have at least four years under your belt.

My daughter actually graduated from one of those programs.

I was mostly talking about those bonus points Nicholas King brought up. Plus, there's the issue of it being way too late to start that kind of training if the kid is already heading into 4th grade.

"Evaluating other exceptional achievements from previous schooling
Candidates can also receive credit for other outstanding achievements from their prior education, provided that:
- they completed middle school while simultaneously finishing at least four years of a music or dance academy that holds
approval from the Department of Education, earning 2 additional points toward enrollment in "

I just hope kids aren't signing up for music school just to chase those extra points.

Nicholas King Asks:
I mentioned those points for when a kid decides to quit music lessons. After finishing third grade?I just wrote, "Such a shame she missed out on those points." All because of one single year.Look, I never said you had to finish all of High School just to get the points.

Honestly, I'm with you on that... it really is such a shame.
But look, on the flip side, if you send them somewhere for that year and they end up hating every second of it? If they’re miserable just to chase those extra points, it’s honestly not worth the headache. If it’s not a huge deal, though, maybe it makes sense to push through a bit longer to make it worth it. Wouldn't it be better to just play it smart?

Nicholas King said:I was specifically talking about the points awarded when a kid drops out of music programs after third grade. I wrote that it was a shame they lost out on points over just one single year—so, no, I wasn't claiming you have to finish all of High School to get them.

As for that story of yours involving grade skipping and all that other nonsense, I honestly see it as more of a confirmation than a refutation of my point. I mean, why would anyone even bother skipping a grade if it wasn't because the kid enrolled "too late"? Why wouldn't a child just follow the standard 😁year-by-year
progression?

My bad, I didn't read that closely enough.
Obviously, starting earlier is better, but our situation proves that even starting in 4th grade isn't too late.
We didn't actually skip a grade—she just packed two years' worth of intense High School coursework into a single year.

She didn't sign up for music just to chase credits (though that was part of it); it was really because she fell in love with playing the piano after spending time with a friend who was already in the first year of High School.
The talent was always there.
She finished school a few years ago, and she still plays every single day.
Of course, she picks her own repertoire now, so it’s moved way beyond just following a standard curriculum.

swiftbear86 said:My bad, I didn't read that closely enough.
Obviously, starting earlier is better, but our situation proves that even starting in 4th grade isn't too late.
We didn't actually skip a grade—she just packed two years' worth of intense High School coursework into a single year.

She didn't sign up for music just to chase credits (though that was part of it); it was really because she fell in love with playing the piano after spending time with a friend who was already in the first year of High School.
The talent was always there.
She finished school a few years ago, and she still plays every single day.
Of course, she picks her own repertoire now, so it’s moved way beyond just following a standard curriculum.

The reality is, you’ve effectively bypassed a year of actual playing time.

Sure, plenty of kids have the talent to breeze through the initial curriculum of a music conservatory in less time than expected—but let's be honest here, that syllabus isn't designed arbitrarily. The whole structure exists because you simply cannot compress two years of musical experience—and I mean the actual practice and performance, not just sitting in a classroom—into a single year without compromising the quality of the end result.

Nicholas King said:The reality is, you’ve effectively bypassed a year of actual playing time.

Sure, plenty of kids have the talent to breeze through the initial curriculum of a music conservatory in less time than expected—but let's be honest here, that syllabus isn't designed arbitrarily. The whole structure exists because you simply cannot compress two years of musical experience—and I mean the actual practice and performance, not just sitting in a classroom—into a single year without compromising the quality of the end result.

The results speak for themselves during the exam.
Every piece of music carries its own level of difficulty.
If you attempt a piece that requires advanced skills or higher-level theory, the instructor will know right away if you actually have the foundation to move up to that grade.
I don't even need to mention that she passed everything with flying colors.

I started music school back when I was just a first grader in elementary school! But then, once I hit sixth grade, they wouldn't let me enroll in a specialized music high school right away. They told me I had to wait two years. By the time I was finally allowed to go, I’d already forgotten everything I learned. So now, all I have to show for it is some random middle school music credits.

swiftbear86 said:The results speak for themselves during the exam.
Every piece of music carries its own level of difficulty.
If you attempt a piece that requires advanced skills or higher-level theory, the instructor will know right away if you actually have the foundation to move up to that grade.
I don't even need to mention that she passed everything with flying colors.

It seems we are discussing two entirely different subjects here: I am talking about music, the actual art of performing, and everything surrounding it—whereas you seem solely preoccupied with exams and grades.

Nicholas King said:It seems we are discussing two entirely different subjects here: I am talking about music, the actual art of performing, and everything surrounding it—whereas you seem solely preoccupied with exams and grades.

Honestly, it's probably better that we're looking at this from different angles.

Since the topic is music school, that's where I'm staying.
I'm speaking from my own experience watching my kid go through a standard public music school—the kind with an official curriculum approved by the Department of Education. They have the tests, the grades, and the formal report cards.

Now, you can definitely make music without being in a formal school setting, which usually forces a strict schedule of lessons and practice onto a kid. At the end of the day, a child needs to have the drive and the genuine interest, plus enough maturity to follow a structured program. Some kids will be ready for that in first grade, some won't be ready until third... and some just never will.

Larry Walker24 said:I started music school back when I was just a first grader in elementary school! But then, once I hit sixth grade, they wouldn't let me enroll in a specialized music high school right away. They told me I had to wait two years. By the time I was finally allowed to go, I’d already forgotten everything I learned. So now, all I have to show for it is some random middle school music credits.

Why didn't you just keep practicing at home or grab some private lessons to stay sharp, especially since you clearly had the drive to go pro? (Unless, of course, money was an issue)

Do you think starting a kid in music during their first year of Elementary School is too early, or are they actually ready for it by then?

swiftbear86 said:Honestly, it's probably better that we're looking at this from different angles.

Since the topic is music school, that's where I'm staying.
I'm speaking from my own experience watching my kid go through a standard public music school—the kind with an official curriculum approved by the Department of Education. They have the tests, the grades, and the formal report cards.

Now, you can definitely make music without being in a formal school setting, which usually forces a strict schedule of lessons and practice onto a kid. At the end of the day, a child needs to have the drive and the genuine interest, plus enough maturity to follow a structured program. Some kids will be ready for that in first grade, some won't be ready until third... and some just never will.

I think there's been a fundamental misunderstanding here. Of course, I am also talking about the Juilliard School. However—and this is where I think we're diverging—I believe our entire perception of what attending such an institution actually means is worlds apart. Even if we set aside the rather obvious fact that scoring a perfect grade on an entrance exam, especially in those early years, isn't some rare feat reserved for a tiny elite (so, frankly, it shouldn't be used as a metric for anything), your assertion that the "outcome is determined on the exam" essentially renders any further discussion moot.

We're clearly talking past one another.

Nicholas King said:I think there's been a fundamental misunderstanding here. Of course, I am also talking about the Juilliard School. However—and this is where I think we're diverging—I believe our entire perception of what attending such an institution actually means is worlds apart. Even if we set aside the rather obvious fact that scoring a perfect grade on an entrance exam, especially in those early years, isn't some rare feat reserved for a tiny elite (so, frankly, it shouldn't be used as a metric for anything), your assertion that the "outcome is determined on the exam" essentially renders any further discussion moot.

We're clearly talking past one another.

It feels like we can't even communicate.

Everything I'm saying comes from my own lived experience watching my kid go through music school.

To me, every conversation is worth having because I learn something new about myself and others.
I’ve learned a hundred times over that you really have to stay laser-focused when posting on a forum, otherwise people totally misinterpret what you’re trying to say.

An exam isn't just a grade on a piece of paper; it represents the actual knowledge and skill needed to tackle the next level's curriculum.
Depending on that performance, the teacher decides which pieces you'll play next.
If you have a "great result," they’ll hand you more challenging compositions the following year.
That’s just how it works in our experience.
And look, a perfect score doesn't have to be the ultimate yardstick. Every teacher has their own standards and ways of measuring progress.
Plus, the exam is usually evaluated by a panel of three professors, each giving their own assessment.

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take the liberty of pointing out that my child is doing EXCELLENTLY.

For me, the whole point of music school is learning to play an instrument you love, becoming musically literate, and maintaining that passion long after graduation. Music can inspire you to compose your own stuff, rearrange existing tracks, experiment with your ear, and all that.
I do feel like the curriculum could use more focus on music history, famous musicians, composers, and their masterpieces, but apparently, that's covered in the Elementary School curriculum, so they leave it out of the music school program.

swiftbear86 said:Why didn't you just keep practicing at home or grab some private lessons to stay sharp, especially since you clearly had the drive to go pro? (Unless, of course, money was an issue)

Do you think starting a kid in music during their first year of Elementary School is too early, or are they actually ready for it by then?

1. Look, things were different back then—money wasn't even a factor.
2. Personally, I think it's too early. While other kids were out playing, I was stuck inside practicing. Usually, it's third grade for general stuff and first grade for music—that seems pretty standard to me, and it works fine.

Just imagine being eleven or twelve years old and having to deal with ear training drills at 7:15 in the morning. Like, Monday piano, Tuesday ear training, Wednesday off, Thursday piano, Friday ear training... give me a break.

swiftbear86 said:It feels like we can't even communicate.

Everything I'm saying comes from my own lived experience watching my kid go through music school.

To me, every conversation is worth having because I learn something new about myself and others.
I’ve learned a hundred times over that you really have to stay laser-focused when posting on a forum, otherwise people totally misinterpret what you’re trying to say.

An exam isn't just a grade on a piece of paper; it represents the actual knowledge and skill needed to tackle the next level's curriculum.
Depending on that performance, the teacher decides which pieces you'll play next.
If you have a "great result," they’ll hand you more challenging compositions the following year.
That’s just how it works in our experience.
And look, a perfect score doesn't have to be the ultimate yardstick. Every teacher has their own standards and ways of measuring progress.
Plus, the exam is usually evaluated by a panel of three professors, each giving their own assessment.

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take the liberty of pointing out that my child is doing EXCELLENTLY.

For me, the whole point of music school is learning to play an instrument you love, becoming musically literate, and maintaining that passion long after graduation. Music can inspire you to compose your own stuff, rearrange existing tracks, experiment with your ear, and all that.
I do feel like the curriculum could use more focus on music history, famous musicians, composers, and their masterpieces, but apparently, that's covered in the Elementary School curriculum, so they leave it out of the music school program.

They cover that in high school.

Larry Walker24 said:1. Look, things were different back then—money wasn't even a factor.
2. Personally, I think it's too early. While other kids were out playing, I was stuck inside practicing. Usually, it's third grade for general stuff and first grade for music—that seems pretty standard to me, and it works fine.

Just imagine being eleven or twelve years old and having to deal with ear training drills at 7:15 in the morning. Like, Monday piano, Tuesday ear training, Wednesday off, Thursday piano, Friday ear training... give me a break.

So what's the big deal?
Kids today are constantly running to practice or whatever at all hours anyway.
Imagine your kid is that age and they've got hockey practice at 11 PM, but they still have Elementary School the next morning. So? What about it? You love it or you don't.
If you're into it, there's no point complaining... honestly, shouldn't that make it easier?
If you hate it and don't want to go, then just don't go. If someone's forcing you, they're the ones messing up. Or they did.

Rachel Jones8 said:So what's the big deal?
Kids today are constantly running to practice or whatever at all hours anyway.
Imagine your kid is that age and they've got hockey practice at 11 PM, but they still have Elementary School the next morning. So? What about it? You love it or you don't.
If you're into it, there's no point complaining... honestly, shouldn't that make it easier?
If you hate it and don't want to go, then just don't go. If someone's forcing you, they're the ones messing up. Or they did.

Going to practice in 2012 isn't the same thing as going to music lessons back in the early '90s!

And apparently, everyone's conveniently forgetting the fact that you actually have to sit down and study for your next class at home.

Hey there! Does anyone know if there's a music school in a city like Chicago that would take on a 22-year-old absolute beginner who's dying to learn the tuba?

Larry Walker24 said:Going to practice in 2012 isn't the same thing as going to music lessons back in the early '90s!

And apparently, everyone's conveniently forgetting the fact that you actually have to sit down and study for your next class at home.

What's the actual difference you're seeing? Are you talking about traffic or safety issues being worse now? If a kid is really into something, it becomes a massive time sink, maybe even more than it used to be.
With sports, back then people usually practiced maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Nowadays, even the little kids end up practicing every single day, which feels like way too much for an elementary schooler.
I mean, sure, it depends on the sport and how competitive they are... if a kid is driven and actually talented, and things start getting serious, I guess they don't have much choice.
But look at youth soccer—kids as young as 7 or 8, practicing daily and playing games every weekend...
To me, that's more of a nightmare now. It just eats up way too much time for both the kids and the parents.

Does anyone here have any first-hand experience with this music school? And what about this one?
If you do, I'd love to hear how they actually are. 😬