Music Education

Music tends to be an important part of a school's regular curriculum. Starting in elementary school, children begin music classes. They may be involved in their school choir, or simply take classes to learn music notes or play instruments such as the recorder, xylophone, or keyboard. In the middle school years, music classes can usually be taken as an option, rather than being mandatory. Students may take music classes simply to earn credit, or they may join their school's band or choir. Typical instruments played in the middle school years are the clarinet, guitar, drums, saxophone, trumpet, flute, and bass. At the high school level, a wider variety of instruments are usually accepted, and there is much more opportunity for vocalists. Whether singing in the school choir, musical ensembles, or their school's vocal club.

Music education at the university level is dedicated to teaching a more advanced form of music to those wishing to pursue it as a career. The typical university degrees can be achieved within musicology, music composition, music education, or music theory. These degrees can include a 4 year bachelor degree, 6 years for a masters degree, or 8-9 years for a Ph.D. Some of the world's most famous and refined schools of music include London's Royal Academy of Music, New York's Juilliard School of Music, Leipzig's Felix Mendelssohn College of Music and Theater, and the Paris Conservatoire.

People may also take private music lessons in the comfort of their own home. In this case, an instructor with years of experience with playing an instrument or singing, would go to their student's home and teach them both musical theory and how to play their instrument or sing. Musical theory involves learning musical notes and how to read music. Many find it difficult to learn this, and can "play by ear." This means, they can play any song by memory and without reading notes.