Objective:Students will begin to explore how music study can continue after middle school by learning about different types of music schools, career paths, and what it means to find the “right fit.” Through guided discussion and vocabulary-building, students will develop an early understanding of how where you study music can influence your future opportunities.

Class Activity:My Musical Future Starts Now

Assignment Title:“What Does a Music School Look Like?”

Instructions

1. Begin with a class discussion: Use the article title: “Where You Go Isn’t Just Where You Learn. It’s Where You Launch.” Ask students what they think this means. Guide them toward ideas like:
   • “Music school helps prepare you for your future.”
   • “Different schools are good for different music careers.”
   • “You don’t have to stay close to home to follow your dream.”
2. Introduce vocabulary words: Explain these four terms from the article:
   • Conservatory – a school that focuses just on music or the arts
   • Curriculum – the classes and lessons in a school program
   • Performance opportunities – chances to perform in front of others
   • Alumni – former students who graduated from a school
3. Pair/Group Activity: Have students complete the graphic organizer below:

   Prompt	My Answer
   My favorite type of music is...
   I’d love to perform in a... (concert, musical, band, etc.)
   I think I’d like to learn more about... (singing, drums, composing, etc.)
   A place I dream of performing someday is...
   A question I’d ask a music school is...

4. Wrap-Up Discussion: Invite volunteers to share their answers. Remind students: “The choices you make in middle and high school can help launch your musical journey. It’s never too early to start dreaming big.”

Objective: Students will evaluate music schools based on key criteria beyond proximity and name recognition, including location, curriculum, faculty, performance opportunities, and alumni outcomes. The goal is to equip students with a decision-making framework that aligns their college choice with their long-term musical and career aspirations.

Assignment:Where I Launch — Researching My Right-Fit Music School

Instructions:

1. Read the article on Accoladi.com: “Where You Go Isn’t Just Where You Learn: It’s Where You Launch.”
2. Choose 2 music schools that interest you. These may be colleges, conservatories, universities, or specialized programs. Use verified sources such as official school websites, CollegeBoard, the Accoladi College Directory, etc.
3. Complete the following comparison chart:

Reflection (Minimum 250 Words)

Prompt: Based on what I’ve learned, which school currently feels like the best launchpad for my goals—and why?

In your paragraph, be sure to explain how factors such as location, faculty, and performance opportunities influenced your thinking and final choice.

Optional Extra Credit

• Take the Accoladi quiz: “What Type of Music School Fits You Best?”
• Include a screenshot or written summary of your result.
• Briefly explain whether or not you agree with the result and why.

"Where They Go Isn’t Just Where They Learn. It’s Where They Launch."

Dear ________________________Parents,

Every time I see your child walk into our band, choir, or orchestra room with their instrument in hand—or their voice ready to sing—I see more than a middle schooler. I see potential. I see a spark that could become a lifelong passion… or even a profession.

It might feel early to talk about colleges or conservatories, but here’s the truth: musical futures begin right now. The habits, confidence, and curiosity your child builds in middle school are the launching pad for everything that comes next.

That’s why I want to share a wonderful article from Accoladi.com called: “Where You Go Isn’t Just Where You Learn. It’s Where You Launch.”

Even though the article is geared toward high school students, it’s an excellent read for parents of middle school musicians. It explains how things like a school’s location, curriculum, performance opportunities, and faculty can impact a young musician’s entire career. It also reminds us not to limit our children to what’s “nearby” or “easy”—because the right music school might be farther away, but far more aligned with their dreams.

As a middle school director, my job isn’t just to prepare your child for their next concert—it’s to open doors they might not even know exist yet. And that starts with awareness. Awareness of how many exciting paths are out there… and how to begin walking them now.

So please, take five minutes and read the article. Then ask your child questions like:

• “What kind of music do you want to play or sing in high school?”
• “If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
• “What does your dream music class or teacher look like?”

These small questions plant seeds. And the conversations they spark? Those are how dreams begin to grow.

Thanks for trusting me with your child’s musical journey. Let’s launch them together.

Musically Yours,

___________________________________________________ [Director’s Name and Position]

_________________________________________________________ [School Name]

From the Director’s Desk: Where Your Student Goes Isn’t Just Where They Learn—It’s Where They Launch

Dear ___________________Parents,

There’s a moment every year—maybe it’s during a solo audition, or while watching your child perform under those bright stage lights—when I see it click. They’re not just playing music anymore. They’re becoming musicians.

That moment is powerful. And it leads to a bigger question we all face together: What’s next?

Not just where they’ll go to college—but what kind of place will truly help them launch their music dreams?

I want to point you to a fantastic article on Accoladi.com that I believe every music parent should read: “Where You Go Isn’t Just Where You Learn. It’s Where You Launch.”

This article isn’t about selling you on a specific school—it’s about helping us all (parents, students, and teachers) think more clearly and creatively about what makes a music program the right fit. It looks at things like:

• The importance of location—yes, cities like Nashville, New York, or Austin matter!
• How to assess a school’s curriculum, faculty, and performance opportunities
• Why alumni success stories can be a secret window into a program’s real value
• And yes, why your student shouldn’t limit their search to a 90-mile radius.

It even highlights how Texas is a must-look for aspiring band directors.

As their teacher, I can guide them musically. But this next step—the step toward a music degree or professional training—requires a team effort. Your role in encouraging, researching, and dreaming with them is more important than ever.

Please take a moment to read this article together with your child. Ask questions. Dream big. And don’t be afraid of the bold, the faraway, or the unconventional—because where they go isn’t just where they learn. It’s where they launch.

Let’s launch them well.

Believing in the Possibilities,

___________________________________________________ [Director’s Name and Position]

_________________________________________________________ [School Name]