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Thinking about getting a degree at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles? I asked some friends who attended and graduated from MI. These are some of their thoughts.
In short, Musicians Institute can be a great place for pushing your creative and performance abilities.
However, high tuition and fees, loans, and vague career opportunities leave some students wanting more.
Musicians Institute in Los Angeles can be a good option for those looking to jump into the music business. But itâs not a magic bullet for finding long-term success.
Overview
Musicians Institute is a music and entertainment business school located in Hollywood, CA. They encourage students to do their best creative work and prepare them for careers in the music and entertainment business.
They have a few hundred active students at any given time. Classes are small.
Programs include things like:
- Music Performance
- Recording Arts
- Instrument Repair and Craft
Can Musicians Institute Help Me Get a Job?
Yes and no.
The value of a place like Musicians Institute isnât in their career placement services. Although, they offer them and mention them a lot.
The music business is notoriously a who-you-know industry. That means that getting a job or finding an opportunity has less to do with your skills and more to do with your network.
Musicians Institute can help you understand the basics of many music disciplines. But itâs up to you to make something happen with those skills.
Networking at Musicians Institute
Even with millions of people living in Los Angeles, it can still feel hard to meet other musicians.
Going to a music school like Berklee or MI is an easy way to surround yourself with dozens of other like minded musicians.
You can also check out weekly or monthly open mics and artist events around Los Angeles to get to know the local scene.
How Hard is it to Get Into Musicians Institute?
Musicians Institute accepts about 70% of the people who apply.
It costs $100 to submit an application and you must submit at 250-word essay about why you want to be a musician and how you believe MI can help you achieve your goals.
You must have a minimum SAT of 500 for math, writing, and reading. A minimum ACT score of 21 is required.
Youâll need to prove you graduated from high school and have at least three years of study on your primary instrument (Guitar, piano, singing, etc).
Learning at MI
Should you pay to learn music and the music business?
Berklee vs Musicians Institute
Musicians Institute is more of a technical school, whereas Berklee is a traditional college.
You can learn many of the same things at both schools, but Berklee is more focused on âcompleteâ musician training. You can learn jazz, classical, song composition, country, or even fingerstyle guitar.
MI is primarily focused on one-off certificate programs or intensives, whereas Berklee is mostly focused on four-year educational programs.
That said, Musicians Institute also offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in things like performance, composition, and songwriting. But their credits are only transferable in certain circumstances.
There are many great teachers at both schools. Musicians Institute also features frequent workshops with studio musicians, touring personel, and recording artists.
Conclusion
Musicians Institute in Los Angeles offers a wealth of opportunities for aspiring musicians to hone their skills, gain valuable experience and make valuable connections.
However, itâs not for everyone.
From classes and private instruction to its renowned Performance Program, MI can give you tools and confidence in your music career. But it should be weighed against high costs and its effectiveness at actually breaking into the music business if thatâs what youâre after.
Overall, Musicians Institute in Los Angeles can be a great place to get started in your music life. But itâs not a silver bullet to a successful music career.