Hope You’re Taking Notes | Your Guide to the City’s Best Western Music Schools

Balani brothers Tarun and Aditya founded GMI in 2011, and focus on core aspects of music {theory, harmony and ear training}, ensemble lessons and workshops, instrumental lessons, performance, as well as Indian classical and folk music. Attempting to up the ante for the modern day musician, they also offer music technology and business management. If it’s all sounding like any other music school, here’s what you didn’t know – GMI is also the official teacher of the Berklee College of Music, Boston, and hosts regular auditions and interviews for the same. Since it is pricey, we recommend GMI for the amateur musician; one that already has his/her basic training in place. Also, Delhi’s finest musical minds rate it the best for jazz and contemporary music.

For a full list of programs, admission procedures and faculty listing, click here.

Gurgaon School of Music was the first branch of Performers Collective, with over 600 students across 18 disciplines of music and the performing arts. Now also in GK, the school is responsible for making western music education accessible, circa when no one else was doing it. With an excellent faculty, they’re open to all ages and levels {amateur, academic, professional or hobby}, and follow the syllabus of Rockschool, London {international examinations for which are conducted by Trinity College, London}. They are also an examination center for the Trinity College, London. Although they welcome any level of musician, since it is so formalized, a slightly more focused musician might get more out of it.

To find out more, click here.

Bridge focuses on an international standard of music education by providing a solid foundation in music concepts, enabling its students to follow a more professional musician’s path. Another examination center for Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music {ABRSM}, Trinity-Guildhall {performing arts division of Trinity College, London} and Rockschool, it has an in-house line-up of world class instruments {including the Saxophone, Cello, Viola and Violin}, and is one of the few institutes that make use of Silent Guitars in guitar classrooms, enabling students to focus on their instruments. Bridge students are also privy to music events, gigs, and are given periodic performance opportunities. BMA comes recommended for the hobby musician.

For a full list of facilities, instruments, faculty members and programs, click here.

Definitely look up One World if you’re a budding musician looking to hone your skill in a structured but enjoyable environment. One World offers styles of Classical Indian & Western, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk and World Music. It also makes itself available 24/7 to musicians looking to practice or record, and houses a fully equipped recording studio, somewhere in between private practice rooms, instrument teaching rooms and ensemble and group activity rooms. You may also get the chance to perform as part of their gigs across venues in the city.

For a full list of faculty members, programs and events, find them here.

A veteran institute {22 years old}, Theme has been very successful in the Western Classical field. They offer music-learning programs, which cover the best of music learning models, course materials and music examinations. Theme’s Music Institute has tied up with renowned music companies to facilitate a stronger education {Kawai Piano Labs in association with Kawai Pianos, Japan}. It also retails musical instruments and distributes music books from some of the world’s best international music publications. Currently, they offer courses in Piano, Guitar, Violin and Vocal training.

For a full list of faculty members, programs and events click here or find them on Facebook here.

You probably know the band, and the school, and lead guitarist Sonam Sherpa. Eleven years old, Parikrama is a leading school for western music, specializing in contemporary western music. Apart from practical training, PSM covers fundamentals of music theory, ear tests, performance, and music technology. PSM caters to the professional, academic and hobby musician. LBBD recommends PSM for the beginner musician, given its less than intimidating approach and atmosphere, for lessons in Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums and Vocals.

For a full listing of faculty members, programs and classes, click here.

If you’re a true blue nineties kid, you know the band Euphoria. Lead guitarist Hitesh Rikki Madan founded Aria, and has designed the guitar syllabus over at the school. The school also has a Speech and Drama department, with a repository of original works in musical theatre. Currently, they offer courses in Guitar, Drums, Electric Keyboard {we promise you’ll go beyond Chariots of Fire}, and western and hindustani vocals.

For a full faculty and course listing, click here.

A premier destination for western classical music, DSM is the oldest and only not for profit music institution in the capital. Set up by the Delhi Music Society, they provide instruction on the Piano, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Flute and Recorder, and exhibit a growing emphasis on not only individual but also ensemble playing, aural development and musical appreciation. Faculty includes both resident and visiting members, and students participate in periodic concerts, exposing them to permorfmance protocol. Fair warning: The crew at DSM takes their education very seriously, and has strict rules in place.

For a full listing of faculty members, programs and classes, click here.