How Does High School Work?

While my description is general and every single reality is different, the Music High School (Liceo musicale) is a school that is neither here nor there, where one studies a lot of music and very little of anything else.

A lot of music means 2 instruments (one primary until the 5th year, one secondary until the 4th) and then music history, theory, analysis and composition, new technologies, and ensemble music. The problem is that if the class is large, the level of teaching in collective subjects (history, theory, and technology) will inevitably be at the level of the weakest students; regarding instruments, it depends heavily on the teacher available, and a problem arises there too: currently, there is no specific competition class, so teachers are recruited year by year or every two years, drawing first from those who lost positions in high schools (who might not have played for 20 years), then from the roles of middle music schools, and finally from internal rankings.

A little bit of anything else needs no much explanation from a university perspective.

Regarding the relationship with the Conservatory, the Music High School is by no means indispensable; on the contrary. It is better to have a pre-academic program within the conservatory and a "normal" high school.

Obviously, these are personal opinions supported by extensive experience in the field.

The invitation is to inform yourself well about the level of your own High School: perhaps it is excellent (there are some).

I agree with Zedef. In my opinion too, it is better to do a normal High School (Scientific or Classical) + Pre-academic course at the conservatory, or preparation from a good private teacher for the conservatory entrance exam. Moreover, once high school is finished, regulations allow for the possibility of enrolling in the conservatory even if one is already enrolled in a traditional university faculty. Given the uncertain times, I would opt (as I did) for both paths. Opening two doors to the working world is better than opening only one.

Info on the high school in Milan

http://www.consmilano.it/index.php?id=liceo_musicale

Pre-academic course contents

https://sites.google.com/a/steffani.it/preaccademici/composizione

Thank you for the advice and links; since you recommend pre-academy + high school in other fields, I imagine the required commitment isn't high... otherwise how would one do it?) Right?

... on average does only one school do this or are we talking about "watered-down" courses? Forgive my exaggeration, but I knew a kid who studied at the conservatory and worked his tail off studying...

Excuse the somewhat naive questions, but I am not a musician; I just want to help my son and I don't know how to do it.

In my day, not centuries ago though, I managed to simultaneously complete a scientific high school with good results and 2 main subjects at the conservatory along with attached complementary courses with similarly good results.

I believe it is a matter, besides personal ability, of organization and logistics (if there are travel hours, for example, the matter is more problematic).

Dear lady, you take for granted the skills necessary to do something like this; in my opinion, it is only a matter of commitment and dedication. There are no easy ways. A scientific high school requires loooooot of effort, same goes for the conservatory. While my friends went out to play, I stayed home studying, and even today, now that I have finished my studies, university courses and piano often send me to bed at 2 in the morning; in the past, one wouldn't go to sleep unless it was 4 or 5. Studying TWO things WELL simultaneously inevitably requires time: time to attend courses at both schools and time to study for both schools. Statistically, few people manage to do well in just one path, let alone two. In my opinion, it is not a problem of ability—our generations are all populated with bright people; the problem is therefore only one of dedication, passion, and a sense of sacrifice. Investing time and effort today to TRY, given the mess of a society we find ourselves in, to have a more peaceful and certain future. At 14 years old, it is very difficult to find people with the will to sacrifice their leisure time at that age to dedicate it to studying. Moreover, I feel compelled to tell you the following... I do not have children yet, but if I were a parent, I would not feel right pushing a child excessively to follow multiple paths by sacrificing their youth.... It's the fault of society! Imagine if tomorrow, having finished all their studies, they found themselves without a job and came to you saying: "Mom, I did everything you told me to do, and what about the job??". I have exaggerated the example just to express my conviction. If I were a parent, I would always try to do everything for my child and give them every opportunity, but without ever forcing them. Having completed these multiple paths myself, I understand that it is a very hard road. I wish your son all the best.

Giulia, I'm passing this interview on to you

Interview with Giorgio Battistelli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42D1nHoBPjU

i hope it helps you understand the musical landscape a little more and to carefully evaluate, with your son, what needs to be done.

Good luck

Open content (youtube)

Giorgio Battistelli, I will see him this afternoon and you will see him too if you participate in the live conference on our web TV at the address http://www.pianoconcerto.it/webtv.php

Perhaps I explained myself poorly, but I absolutely do not want to choose for my son; rather, I want to gather as much information as possible to give him a perspective in the choice he will make autonomously.

Letting him know that for the next 10 years he will be going to bed at 5 in the morning is information; knowing what he will study in pre-academic courses is information; what he will do with his musical degree (and if he can work with it) is information.

Perhaps for those in the field it is all "easy," but for those on the outside, I assure you it is a completely different story, one knows little or nothing... anyway, I thank everyone, also for sharing their own personal experiences.

Until next time

Giulia

She has spoken a great truth. Not knowing her, however, I ventured with examples because I have often heard of people who choose for their own children and I am very happy to have read this second message of yours.

Aside from career choices, music is certainly the mirror of past and present times and a perspective for the future; how can it not enrich one both spiritually and culturally? Knowing how to play an instrument, being music scholars, conductors, composers, or simply an amateur, gives the individual who practices an extra edge. It expands the mind and one's horizons even in disciplines not necessarily linked to music. I hope your son makes the right choice. Kind regards...