It has been ten years since the first Guide to Music Schools was published, and what has become clearer as the world whizzes by is that studying music in the third decade of the 21st century is no singular pastime.

Conservatories have realized that, for today’s musician, context is everything. And in looking over the last decade of listings—78 in this edition, the most we’ve had—it’s fascinating to observe how what were once simply called “career services” departments or “entrepreneurship 101” courses have exploded into internships, bona-fide teaching jobs at the local public school, orchestra jobs, opera-company apprenticeships, and even in-school artist management services.

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With its proximity to the cultural hub of Chicago, conservatory-level musical training, and engaging academic environment, Northwestern's Bienen School of Music provides students an educational atmosphere unlike any other. Undergraduates may pursue dual degrees, double majors, or an ad-hoc (self-designed) major.

Boston Conservatory at Berklee is internationally recognized as an innovative leader among conservatory programs focused on elevating every aspect of the performing arts. The institution is committed to making all forms of performing arts a more visible and valued dimension of communities here and abroad.

Students receive full-tuition scholarships, room, and board. The Colburn Orchestra emulates a professional orchestra experience with distinguished guest conductors and Music Director Yehuda Gilad. Students perform alongside faculty and guest artists as part of the Colburn Chamber Music Society. Career development and wellness programs support all areas of student well-being.

The DePaul University School of Music offers conservatory style, performance-based study within a large university in Chicago, a destination city for world-class arts. Students benefit from individualized study and rehearsal at the highest level among a supportive community of individuals striving to be their best.

Eastman is dedicated to the highest levels of artistry and scholarship and to the broad education of young musicians within the context of a university. Our students enjoy a challenging but nurturing environment that focuses on artistic excellence while encouraging the pursuit of individual paths and interests.

The more than 1,500 students who study at the Jacobs School of Music benefit from the intensity and focus of a conservatory combined with the broad academic offerings of a major university. The breadth and number of performance opportunities are unparalleled in college music study.

Since 1905, Juilliard has educated the world's foremost musicians, dancers, actors, and playwrights. Our Lincoln Center campus, with its world-renowned faculty, continues to be a launch pad for the next generation of performing artists.

Manhattan School of Music takes full advantage of New York's abundant learning and performance opportunities, preparing highly talented students for careers as passionate performers and composers and to be imaginative, effective leaders in the arts. Our students thrive in a supportive atmosphere that encourages excellence, values individuals, and welcomes innovation.

At the Peabody Conservatory, we are a community of 21st century artists—cultivating excellence, embracing new ideas, and committed to the future of music in our world.

The RCM is one of the world's greatest conservatoires. Nurturing exceptional musical talent for more than 140 years, students join a friendly, collaborative, and global community. Ranked the top institution for performing arts for 2023 and 2022 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Trinity Laban is London’s Creative Conservatoire: an internationally celebrated centre of excellence, offering world-class training in dance, music and musical theatre, transforming those with potential into resourceful, enterprising and adaptable artistic leaders.

CCM provides life-changing experiences within a highly creative and multidisciplinary artistic environment. Declared one of this country's leading conservatories by The New York Times, CCM offers nine degree types (BA, BM, BFA, MFA, MM, MA, AD, DMA, PhD) in more than 100 possible majors.

UNCSA School of Music offers a transformative conservatory experience that prepares students for professional careers. The program combines intensive individual study under professional artist-mentors with a variety of performance opportunities including collaborations with other UNCSA arts schools. Students attend master classes with distinguished guest artists and perform in state-of-the-art facilities.

As the music profession changes, the USC Thornton School of Music offers an innovative education that prepares students for careers at the highest level as performers, composers, educators, and industry leaders. We do this while making the most of our location in Los Angeles, the nation’s center for creativity and original art of all kinds.

Crane is an undergraduate-focused music school with attentive faculty. We are part of SUNY Potsdam, an arts-centric liberal arts college, with 500 music majors and where over 30% of students major in the arts. At Crane, students can choose from a wide variety of programs and majors.

The Frost School of Music is a dynamic place where exceptional students and faculty come together to transform the world of music. Brilliant performance, creativity and scholarship are at our core.

NFMC is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States promoting and supporting American music, performers and music education. As a grassroots organization working in communities throughout America, NFMC provides musical opportunities for all ages: professional and amateur musicians, benefactors, volunteers, music lovers, music teachers, music students, and supportive parents.

The Department of Music at Northeastern is devoted to offering graduate and undergraduate majors, combined majors and minors a cross-disciplinary approach to research and practice in music, underscored by real-world experiential learning and cutting-edge technology.

Oberlin Conservatory focuses on undergraduate pre-professional musicians in classical, contemporary, jazz performance; composition; and electronic music. The conservatory is embedded within the premier liberal arts environment of Oberlin College and is renowned for the Double Degree Program.

PRISMA prides itself on its focus not only on the technical aspects of music education but on the care it takes to ensure a positive experience—one that brings people together through a shared love of music. It has an exceptionally supportive environment for learning and performing together.

RCS is a global leader in performing arts education (QS World University Rankings 2023) and the only place in Europe where you can study all of the performing arts on one campus. You'll benefit from side-by-side opportunities with world-class orchestras and work with award-winning staff and internationally acclaimed visiting artists.

The Shepherd School of Music provides a dedicated faculty of artist-teachers, extraordinary performance opportunities, beautiful facilities, and an unparalleled education at a renowned private university.

The Tianjin Juilliard School uniquely focuses on collaborative musicianship, emphasizing a commitment to ensemble playing of the highest artistic level. Our programs reflect the best educational standards, preparing students for a lifetime of creative expression, of engagement and growth as an individual and as a musician.

World-class Center for Strings program, recognized level of excellence and performance, and outstanding guest artist series.

The School's unique relationship as a part of the U-M, ranked as one the top universities in the U.S., provides students with a vast array of options and opportunities. All of our degrees require some academic coursework, most of which can be selected from any area of the University.

This African American Fellowship Program is a collaboration with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Old Dominion University. Fellows perform with a professional orchestra, receive lessons with VSO professional musicians, create and perform educational chamber music shows, and coach students in the public schools.