The Manhattan School of Music

Manhatten School of Music is all about money. They will let anyone in, as long as they pay. I have no problems with giving people a fair chance and all, but I figured they would be more selective. They allow people with very little musical background attend, and they have nothing preventing those people from taking some of the same classes with people who are way beyond their knowledge and skill level. What ends up happening is that the classes generally get the attention directed towards the people who shouldn't be there in the first place. Beyond that, teachers are pretty flaky, and generally are only there because their music career didn't work out, not because they have a natural love or ability to teach. The people who work in the school are all totally incompetent as well. They are very quick to direct you to a different department so they can continue checking their facebook, finish their lunch, or gossip with their friend. This place is a pretty big joke that I had to move across the country to understand.

4th Year Female -- Class 2005

Manhattan School of Music was an extremely negative experience. In fact I have convinced several college-bound students to study elsewhere. The guitar department consisted of guitarists who - while technically proficient - had no interest in teaching. As soon as a class was done you weren't allowed to ask them questions, and they spent very little time engaging with other students. My teachers would give us some sheet music to learn and then just stay on the computer or go to the teachers lounge for 30 minutes. After four years of inferior teaching, I improved very little. It took study with a truly competent teacher to undo the bad teaching and begin singing again. Now I play guitar as a session musicians professionally and have no positive memories of MSM. When you are young it is fairly easy to snow you with claims of prestige. If you are a guitarist be very wary. Working in the industry I have come across grad's from the Musician's Institute in California and Berklee College of Music in Boston. Grad's have praised these schools to no end and if I could go back I wish I would've chosen one of them.

Another thing, I graduated in 2004 and NO ONE in my class plays music professionally as of 2010 apart from me. Prior to what they promised me, MSM do not help you AT ALL once you graduate...which is ridiculous for a music school.STAY AWAY.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Manhattan School of Music is a complete waste of your time and money. As long as you have the $$$, then you're in. You can be a musical slob and still get into this place, believe me, I was placed in a class mistakenly w/ some of these people. Public relations department at MSM must work 24/7 to keep this place up and running b/c their so called "reputation" is built on false premises. Even if you want to pursue contemporary studies. Look at the rankings and take it from a person who has first hand experience. STAY AWAY!

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000