• About
  • Sensei
  • Singing
  • Archives
  • Categories

    • Archive for the ‘New Zealand’ Category

    Music School Locations


    2010 - 10.04

    Posted in Australia, East Coast, Music School, New Zealand, UK, West Coast | No Comments »

    Here are my criteria for which music schools I am applying to:

    1. English as the language of instruction
    2. Contemporary music focus
    3. Private lessons
    4. Strong musicianship foundation
    5. In a “Global City”
    6. Variety of music genres supported, including metal and techno (jazz is usually a given)
    7. Metal, Jazz and techno experiences readily available in metro area
    8. Fascinating and/or relaxing environment
    9. Sufficient financial aid for international students

    Unless I missed something in my research, this points to 3 main areas: the US, the UK and OZ/NZ.

    Area Advantages Disadvantages
    United Kingdom
    • Most metal bands I like are either from EU or tour extensively there
    • London is second only to NY as a world city
    • Closest non-US to sibs and friends
    • A whole continent of new stuff
    • Cold beaches, non-sunny
    • Difficult FinAid
    • Visa/residency difficult
    Australia
    New Zealand
    • Amazing beaches, beautiful
    • Sydney and Brisbane have good metal scenes
    • More supportive of international students
    • Really far from sibs and friends
    • Less cultural variety/urban adventure
    US East Coast
    • Closest to sibs and friends
    • Less selection of schools, but top school here
    • FinAid/Visa easy
    • Less exotic, have already lived here
    • Running out of federal aid
    US West Coast
    • Near other batch of friends
    • Beaches, CA culture
    • FinAid/Visa easy
    • Have already lived here
    • Living in LA?
    • Running out of federal aid

    Okay, the music schools in the UK are moving ahead in my preference… all my favorite metal bands are either from Europe or moved there to join the rest! I’m starting to see evidence that if I seriously want to do metal, and find like minded other instrumentalists, then Europe is the place to be… plus, the greatest variety in the smallest area!

    I also spoke to a friend today about OZ and it seems that the only down side is the distance/isolation/mono-cultural issue… everything else is remarkably good.

    This is going to be a tough one. I might just have to apply everywhere and see who offers me the most money, and then just enjoy where ever I land! I think, overall, I am leaning toward Europe… the amount of new experiences I can have over a long time span is much higher, and I can always visit AU later or settle there… I think for this second adolescence somewhere more stimulating is more appropriate. the next step is to look into how the money can work out!