California has some of the most innovative music schools in the country. They vary from conservatories to programs within larger performing arts departments, offering complete training for aspiring musicians, scholars, and educators. Many students are attracted to the top California music schools because they offer exposure to the state’s thriving entertainment and cultural scenes, as well as instruction from exceptional faculty. 

The featured schools highlighted here reflect the breadth of musical education options in California. While each institution has its own strengths, they all share a commitment to excellence and rigorous preparation for careers in the music industry. Whether you’re seeking a liberal arts approach or focused conservatory-style training, California music schools provide programs in composition, performance, musicology, and contemporary music production. 

The following overview gives a glimpse into some of California’s music education institutions across regions and summarizes their offerings and ideal student profiles.

Music Schools in Southern California

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

In Brief

Best known for its cutting-edge music programs, which focus on contemporary performance, avant-garde composition, music technology and media, as well as cross-cultural genres. The school aims to push the boundaries of musical expression across different art forms and provides a progressive environment for creatively adventurous students.

Primary Areas of Study

• Experimental Pop
• Jazz Studies
• Music Technology
• North Indian Music 
• Performer-Composer
• World Music Performance
• Music Performance (various emphases)

Details

CalArts is a top arts school established by Walt Disney in 1961 in Valencia, California, north of Los Angeles. The school has nurtured artists, performers, and creative thinkers for generations. CalArts attracts students driven to push boundaries and explore artistic territories with its interdisciplinary approach and unique atmosphere. 

The school offers Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs specifically designed for music students. Students can specialize in a wide array of areas within these programs. The school emphasizes hands-on learning through music-making across genres and cultural perspectives. The CalArts Music School includes world music ensembles, large jazz bands, orchestras, chamber groups, and choirs. 

Over 300 music performances are available for students to showcase their talents, most of which are free and open to the public. State-of-the-art facilities like the Wild Beast recording studio and the experimental Bing Concert Hall provide students with hands-on training experiences that help them grow both as performers and composers while fostering listening skills.

Fit

CalArts serves creatively adventurous students interested in contemporary, avant-garde, and experimental music. It is an excellent choice for those who value artistic exploration and innovation over traditional music education. Graduates often pursue careers in performance, composition, and new media, where individual artistic expression is highly valued.

California State University, Long Beach

In Brief

CSULB offers comprehensive and diverse music programs that cover various disciplines. It is especially recognized for its strong emphasis on practical experience and training, preparing students for successful careers in various music-related fields.

Primary Areas of Study

• Composition
• Music Education
• Music History and Literature
• Instrumental Performance
• Jazz Studies
• Musicology
• Ethnomusicology
• Conducting
• Music Performance (various emphases)

Details

The CSULB’s Bob Cole Conservatory provides training to a new generation of talented performers, composers, and scholars. With a faculty of 70 mentors and 850 students, the Conservatory covers jazz and contemporary genres.

Bachelor’s degree options at the Conservatory include Music Performance, Composition, Music Education, Music History, or Music Industry Studies. The Contemporary Musicianship program focuses on enhancing technique for aspiring artists by incorporating styles such as pop, rock, electronic music, and soul. For jazz enthusiasts, there are programs like Improvisation and Keyboard Studies that create opportunities for exploration by blending tradition with innovative expressions.

Situated in Long Beach amidst LA’s music scene, the Conservatory offers training and unparalleled experiential learning to prepare musical talents of the 21st century. Graduates from this program emerge as visionary artists who contribute to enriching our landscape with their soaring achievements.

Fit

An excellent choice for students seeking an affordable music education with strong programs in jazz, pop, film scoring, and music business due to its proximity to the Los Angeles music industry. CSULB also appeals to aspiring music educators given its robust partnerships with regional K-12 school districts for hands-on training and job pipeline opportunities after graduation. 

California State University, Northridge

In Brief

The CSUN Department of Music offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, and music education. The school also offers a music therapy program, which uses music to help patients with various health conditions.

Primary Areas of Study

• Commercial Media Writing
• Composition
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education
• Music Industry
• Music Performance (various emphases)
• Music Therapy

Details

Provides comprehensive training toward Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees alongside professional certificates and performance diplomas.

Undergraduate students can delve into Composition, Music Education, Music Therapy, Music Industry Studies, and Vocal or Instrumental Performance. Budding music therapists receive immersive clinical training using music interventions to aid veterans, children, hospice patients, and more. The CSUN Opera prepares aspiring classical vocalists alongside instrumentalists gambling their talents within jazz combos, chamber groups, percussion ensembles, and multiple concert bands.

With elite faculty, abundant experiential learning activities, and a location immersed in Southern California’s entertainment sphere, CSUN Department of Music graduates secure abundant careers as educators, therapists, classical musicians, and commercial artists across the region.

Fit

CSUN is a great fit for students interested in popular/commercial music, scoring for visual media, songwriting, and music production. Its location in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley media hub and world-class facilities like the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication provide strong real-world preparation. Aspiring pop artists, film/TV composers, songwriters, and recording engineers receive specialized training to immerse themselves in California’s entertainment industries.

Chapman University

In Brief

The Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, and music education. The school also offers a unique program in music therapy, which uses music to help patients with various health conditions.

Primary Areas of Study

• Composition
• Film Music
• General Music
• Music Business
• Music Performance (various emphases)
• Music Technology

Details

The first new conservatory established in the West during the 21st century, Hall-Musco upholds Chapman’s dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative technology. 

Undergraduate and graduate students refine technique through Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees focused on Composition, Music Education, Conducting, and Instrumental or Keyboard Performance. Alternatively, undergraduates can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music tailored toward Music Technology or the accredited Music Therapy program. 

With direct access to Los Angeles’ entertainment sphere, the Hall-Musco Conservatory thoroughly prepares graduates to excel as distinguished performers, composers, academics and music therapists. Alumni shape Southern California’s thriving cultural landscape while inspiring creativity worldwide.

Fit

Serves students seeking a balanced education in music performance, education, and scholarship.  With recognized programs centered around commercial music, composition for film and media, music education, and performance, Chapman provides focused training tailored to each student’s strengths from esteemed faculty mentors.

Colburn School

In Brief

The Colburn School is a premier conservatory located in downtown Los Angeles. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, and conducting, as well as a pre-college program for talented young musicians.

Primary Areas of Study

• Chamber Music 
• Composition
• Conducting
• Historical Performance
• Music Performance (various emphases)
• Technology and Applied Composition

Details

Established in downtown Los Angeles’ dynamic Grand Avenue cultural corridor, the Colburn School has rapidly ascended as one of the world’s preeminent conservatories. Colburn furnishes rigorous pre-professional training focused solely on classical music performance and composition.

The school accepts just a small percentage of applicants to its Bachelor of Music program spanning instrumental, keyboard, and composition disciplines. Under the guidance of globally acclaimed faculty, students access elite musical instruction tailored to their individual talents and ambitions. Degree tracks emphasize frequent performances through concerts, recitals, and showcases staged at Colburn’s state-of-the-art Zipper Hall.

With Los Angeles’ abundant cultural resources also at students’ fingertips, Colburn School alumni secure positions with eminent orchestras, opera companies, and music schools worldwide thanks to their exceptional artistic prowess nurtured during personal training with field luminaries.

Fit

The Colburn School is the largest artist and music conservatory in Southern California. It offers a highly immersive college of music setting for serious instrumental performers, with nearly 40 elite music faculty members and small, selective classes. Colburn Conservatory students receive individualized mentorship from masters of their craft.disciplines, and strong programs in ethnomusicology.

University of California, Los Angeles

In Brief

As one of the most comprehensive music schools, UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music offers an exceptionally broad range of music degrees spanning performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, music education, and the music industry.

Primary Areas of Study

• Composition
• Conducting
• Early Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Film Scoring
• Jazz Studies
• Music and New Media
• Music Education
• Music Industry
• Music Performance (various emphases)
• Music Theory
• Musicology
• Pop and Rock
• World Music

Details

UCLA’s prestigious Herb Alpert School of Music offers an exceptionally broad range of music degrees spanning performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, music education, and the music industry. As one of the most comprehensive music schools in the University of California system, students benefit from UCLA’s academic rigor while studying with distinguished faculty and guest artists at the forefront of their fields.

Music students also utilize UCLA’s state-of-the-art facilities, which include the Schoenberg Music Building performance spaces, highly equipped practice rooms, electronic music studios, and a specialized music library. The school’s Music Industry program prepares students to navigate, create, produce, market, and monetize music in the rapidly evolving industry. Students gain hands-on skills crucial for careers like artist management, recording, publishing, licensing, and music supervision.

With the entertainment capital of Los Angeles as its backdrop, UCLA furnishes music students with practical experience and connections to thrive in various musical careers. The Herb Alpert School of Music upholds UCLA’s longstanding tradition of academic and creative excellence.

Fit

UCLA suits intellectually engaged music students eager to complement rigorous performance/composition training with academic excellence across multiple disciplines. Alongside elite music instruction and creativity resources, UCLA enables invaluable cross-collaboration, research, visiting artists, and practical experience to spark career success at the intersection of music, technology, business, medicine, and more.