Originally Posted by MicShazam

Assuming people are creative and can think for themselves, I'd say there's nothing wrong with getting a foundation during school years. Now, if you go to the conservatory and learn to become a complete robot and then go on to form a prog metal band, you may be lost forever.

Originally Posted by Frownland

EDIT: I don't think that music theory is without value btw, I just find the current model that I've seen in American schools to be overly limited and more restrictive of artistry than anything.