How to Choose a Music School in Accra: Courses, Fees and Questions to Ask

Type "music school in Accra" into Google and you get a long, mixed list: private tutors on classified sites, church music institutes, university departments, studios offering short courses and a handful of dedicated schools. It is hard to tell from a listing which one will actually teach you, or your child, to play well.

This guide sets out what to compare, what to ask about fees, and how to spot a programme that will still be serving you a year from now. We run CaveArt Music, a music school at Tantra Hills, Accra, so we will tell you how we approach each point. The checklist works for any school you are considering.

What a good music school in Accra should give you

A good lesson is only part of it. What separates a school from a series of lessons is structure: a clear path from where you are now to where you want to be, and someone checking that you are getting there.

A curriculum with levels, not just lessons

Ask to see the course outline. You want to know what a beginner learns in the first months, what comes next and how you move up. At CaveArt Music, every programme is taught in three competency tiers, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, each lasting six months. That makes a complete 18-month pathway, and each tier is split into two three-month semesters.

Progression should be earned, not automatic. Our programme guides state that students move up by demonstrating competence, with feedback and reassessment for anyone who needs more time.

Theory and musicianship alongside the instrument

Many self-taught players in Ghana are excellent by ear but get stuck when they meet written music, a new key or a band leader who calls chord numbers. A school should teach reading, theory, ear training and rhythm alongside technique, so you can learn songs faster and play with other people.

Real playing with others

Ensemble work, rehearsals and performances build timing and confidence in a way that solo practice cannot. Ask whether students perform, and how often.

African music taken seriously

You should not have to choose between classical training and the music around you. Our Music Performance and Musicianship programme includes African drumming, African instrumental performance, indigenous rhythms and highlife alongside piano, guitar, violin, saxophone, trumpet, drum kit and voice.

Private tutor or music school?

Home tuition is common in Accra, and a good private teacher can be a great choice. Here is how the two usually compare:

• A private tutor offers flexible times and lessons at home. Quality depends entirely on one person, and there is rarely a written curriculum, a placement test or anyone to step in if the teacher travels.
• A music school offers a set curriculum, assessment, several teachers and specialists, other students to play with, and rooms and equipment you may not have at home. Times are fixed by the timetable, so check that one fits your week.

If you want structured progress, a documented record of what you have achieved and the chance to perform, a school is usually the better base. Some students also work with a private tutor between lessons.

Music schools in Accra and their fees: what to ask

"Music school in Accra and their fees" is one of the most common searches we see, and for good reason: most schools do not publish prices. Fees vary with the instrument, how many hours a week you attend, class size and the length of the course.

Rather than comparing a single headline figure, ask every school the same questions:

1. What is the total cost for one full level or term, not just per lesson?
2. Is there an admission or registration fee, and is it charged once or every term?
3. How many supervised hours a week does that fee buy?
4. Are materials, books or instrument use included?
5. Can fees be paid in instalments?
6. What happens to the fee if a class is cancelled?

At CaveArt Music, fee information comes directly from the office so that you receive the figure for your exact programme and schedule. Call +233 20 345 8819 or email info@caveartpremier.com for a quote. As part of our one-year anniversary, "The Next Note", we are offering 20% off the admission fee for the first 20 applicants. Contact the office to check availability.

Location and timetable matter more than you think

The best programme in the city will not help if you cannot get there. Before you enrol, do a trial run of the journey at the time your lesson would start.

Our campus is at Tantra Hills, which places it within reach of families and workers in nearby areas such as Achimota, Dome, Taifa, Mile 7 and Sowutuom. You will find us at 28 Emmaland Avenue, Tantra Hills, Accra (GhanaPost GPS: GW-0937-0554), near Achimota Mall. For directions, search "CaveArt Music" on Google Maps.

Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Classes run on their own flexible schedules, set out below.

Adults choose from six study schedules:

• Super Intensive: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Semi-Intensive: Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
• Early Morning Intensive: Monday to Friday, 6:00 to 7:30 a.m.
• Evening Intensive: Monday to Thursday, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
• Morning Extensive: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:00 to 7:30 a.m.
• Weekend Programme: Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Children learn in batches of 15, in Unit One (ages 5 to 9) or Unit Two (ages 10 to 17), on separate timetables. Call the office for current class times.

Eight questions to ask before you enrol

Use this list with any music school in Accra:

1. Who will teach me? Ask about the teacher's training and performing or teaching experience. At CaveArt, our instructors are degree holders with practical experience in their fields.
2. Is there a placement assessment? Experienced players should not be forced to start from zero. At CaveArt, your tier is confirmed after a placement assessment.
3. What will I be able to do after six months? A good school can answer this specifically.
4. How is progress assessed and reported?
5. Will I learn to read music and understand theory?
6. Are there performance opportunities?
7. What do I receive when I finish? CaveArt students who complete their coursework, projects and competency assessments receive a CaveArt Music Certificate of Completion naming the programme and tier achieved.
8. What are the full costs? Use the fee questions above.

Checklist of eight questions to ask before enrolling at a music school in Accra

Beyond lessons: courses for careers

Some students want more than an instrument. If you are thinking about working in music, look for a school that teaches the industry as well as performance. CaveArt Music's Adult Department has four programmes:

• Music Performance and Musicianship: instruments, voice and African performance traditions.
• Music Education and Pedagogy: learning to teach instrumental, vocal, choral and African music.
• Music Production and Audio Technology: recording, mixing, live sound, podcasting and audio for film.
• Composition and Music Business: songwriting, arranging, artist management, marketing, events and music journalism.

You can download each programme guide from the Our Programs page. If you are weighing up a career in music, our guide to music colleges in Ghana and music careers goes further.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best music school in Accra?

The best school is the one that matches your goals, level, budget and timetable. Compare curriculum, teachers, assessment, performance opportunities, location and total cost using the questions above. Visit before you pay, and ask to see a course outline.

How much do music schools in Accra charge?

Fees vary widely with the instrument, weekly hours, class size and course length, and many schools only give prices on request. Ask for the total cost of a full term or level, including any admission fee. For CaveArt Music fees, call +233 20 345 8819.

Can I join a music school if I have never played an instrument?

Yes. Most schools take complete beginners. At CaveArt Music, beginners on applicable programmes start with an eight-week Foundation Gateway within the Beginner tier.

Do music schools in Accra teach children?

Many do. CaveArt Music's Children's Department has Unit One for ages 5 to 9 and Unit Two for ages 10 to 17. Read our parent's guide to music lessons for kids in Accra.

Can I take ABRSM music exams in Ghana?

Yes. ABRSM has a history of examining candidates in Accra. Check the ABRSM website for current centres and dates. CaveArt Music has ABRSM exam preparation slots available, so ask the office when you enquire.

Ready to start?

If CaveArt Music sounds like the right fit, you can apply online in a few minutes. Choose your department, programme, course, tier and schedule, and we will email you a confirmation with the programme guide attached.

Prefer to talk first? Call +233 20 345 8819, message us on WhatsApp or email info@caveartpremier.com.