Is Music School Worth It?

If your dream is to have a career in music as a performer, music teacher, music therapist or producer, you may be asking, “Is music school worth it?” The response from students at Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music is a resounding “Yes.”

The Cali School, long known for its excellent music programs, is helping prepare students for future jobs throughout the music industry, including in Recording Arts and Production, which helps prepare students for careers in audio recording music production, sound for film and television; Music Therapy which uses music-based clinical experiences to help people improve mental, physical and emotional health, ways of learning and more; and Music Education, working with Montclair’s Center for Pedagogy, offers comprehensive preparation for teacher certification in the State of New Jersey.

A Department of Music since 1943, the Cali School of Music was established in 2006 after a generous gift from the family of a successful New Jersey real estate developer. Part of Montclair’s College of the Arts, it is dedicated to preparing future artists, composers and arts leaders. With world-class faculty, exceptional training, and state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Leshowitz Recital Hall and Alexander Kasser Theater, it offers conservatory-level education within a vibrant university setting.

What Students Love About the Cali School of Music

Denton Moreland, a senior Music Education major and violist from North Brunswick, New Jersey, says he and his fellow students have grown as musicians and people. “Cali has so many resources for musicians to draw from, and it’s such a welcoming atmosphere. In this dynamic environment, we are exposed to so many amazing Immersive Residency artists. It feels as though I have an endless source of information and inspiration. Music school is 100% worthwhile because I would not have been surrounded by people who push me forward in the way that my colleagues at Cali do had I chosen another path.”

Ai Isshiki, a third-year graduate student commutes from Brooklyn because of the Music Therapy program Cali offers, noting it is one of only a few offered in the area and is affordable for a single, working mom. A professional pianist and teacher, Isshiki was practicing guitar, a requirement for her major, she says, adding that the program will expand her career options. “I’ll be able to play for dance classes or even work in a hospital if I want,” Isshiki says.

Daniel Sokolski, a sophomore Jazz Studies major from Hawthorne, New Jersey, says that while a music degree is not always necessary, a rigorous music education is still worthwhile. He praises Cali’s faculty, affordability and many concert and ensemble opportunities. Between costs and scholarships, he expects to graduate debt-free and values the networking opportunities provided by faculty members, who are also professional musicians. Sokolski, who plays piano, says the skills and techniques he is developing make him a more versatile musician. “I’m getting to know a lot of really great players here, and I’m able to play with a lot of musicians too,” he says. “I’ve been doing some composing and have been involved in the Afro Caribbean Ensemble and two jazz combos. I’m also in the process of networking and getting some gigs so that I can put my name out there.”

Jack Gemmell, a sophomore Musical Theatre major from San Diego, chose Montclair’s College of the Arts because of its blend of a supportive arts community, industry connections among faculty and fellow students and well-rounded curriculum. “We’re really lucky we get to work with the Cali School of Music because in a lot of programs, you don’t get that opportunity,” Gemmell says. “We get private voice lessons, which is the most important part of our training that we receive from the Cali School but we also get keyboard, theory and oral skills, so I’m really grateful.”

IMMERSIVE RESIDENCY: Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis teaches Cali School students about life and art

A School on the Rise

With 509 students enrolled in programs ranging from Voice Performance to Recording Arts and Production, the Cali School of Music has continued its steady growth. According to Anthony Mazzocchi, Director of the Cali School, “Our proximity to New York, the cultural capital of the world, our top-tier faculty, unique programs and affordability have contributed to this incredible growth.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cali stood out as one of the few music schools that maintained a rehearsal and performance schedule. Their innovative solutions, such as holding rehearsals in and streaming performances from an open-air parking deck, gained national attention and showcased the school’s creativity.

Music school is not for the weak of heart. “Students take as many as 15 separate classes in any given semester — several being half-credit ensembles, one-credit techniques classes, or two-credit lessons,” says Cali Academic Administrator Gina Balestracci, noting that only 15% of the coursework in music is made up of three-credit courses typical in other majors. “Each semester students take lessons on their primary instrument, several ensembles that use and further develop the skills that they’re learning in their lessons, as well as historical, theoretical, and other subject-area academic coursework that support their musical studies and the concentration studies in areas like education and therapy.”

In addition, Balestracci adds, all of the music degree programs require Capstone activities, such as a solo recital or an internship, that are a demonstration of the cumulative skills and knowledge developed throughout the student’s program.

National Acclaim: Kelly Clarkson Show Features MSU Singers

What Sets the Cali School Apart?

1. Access to University Resources — As part of Montclair State University, Cali students benefit from the resources of a top-100 public research institution.
2. Collaborative Learning — Rather than isolating students by major, Cali fosters collaboration across disciplines, including Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy, Jazz Studies and Composition, offering a more well-rounded experience.
3. Top-tier faculty — The school attracts world-class instructors who perform in some of New York’s top ensembles and also teach at prestigious institutions like Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music. Faculty members include Grammy-winning musicians who are passionate about mentoring students.
4. Unique Programs — Cali offers unique programs, including Recording Arts and Production and Music Therapy, giving students diverse career options.
5. High Placement Rate — Cali is one of New Jersey’s largest producers of music teachers, boasting a 100% placement rate for graduates in education roles and fulfilling a critical need.
6. Immersive Residency & Pathways Programs — The Cali Immersive Residency brings top-rated artists to campus, allowing students to interact and perform with Grammy Award-winning Jazz artists, such as Wynton Marsalis and Christian McBride, and Grammy-, Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist and MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient Rhiannon Giddens and Grammy- and Emmy-winning legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. The Cali Pathways program, one of the only such programs like it in the nation, breaks down barriers for underrepresented students.

The Cali School of Music stands out for its innovation, dedication to student success, and its collaborative, inclusive atmosphere. No matter your industry aspirations, Cali’s strong curriculum and industry connections make it a top choice for students pursuing a music career.

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