2025-26 GUIDE TO MUSIC SCHOOLS


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Meadows School of the Arts
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
MISSION
The Meadows School educates visionary artists, scholars and arts and communications professionals prepared to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
In addition to top-rated, conservatory-style programs, students are involved in all aspects of campus life from double majoring to student organizations. SMU is located two miles from downtown Dallas, home to the largest consecutive arts district in the United States, providing its students a plethora of opportunities on and off campus.
LOCATION
6101 Bishop Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75205
ADMISSIONS
214-768-3217
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
300 music students
Music Faculty: 35 full time, 60 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Music Education • Musicology • Music Therapy • Organ • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
SOCIAL LINKS

Michigan State University College of Music
Michigan State University College of Music
Michigan state University
MISSION
Michigan State's mission: To provide the highest quality professional instruction; to instill in students a dedication and desire to achieve excellence and understanding in all aspects of their musical education; to develop their abilities to the highest professional standards; to expand cultural awareness and diversity; to provide access for comprehensive non-degree instruction; to participate in community, state, regional, national and international arenas through service, teaching, research and performance; and to support an excellent faculty vitally engaged in significant research, scholarly and creative endeavors.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
The College of Music at Michigan State University provides a welcoming, challenging environment designed to foster innovation and creativity while helping every student achieve professional excellence.
LOCATION
333 West Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
ADMISSIONS
517-355-2140
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Music is more than a passion—it’s a profession. Running Start is MSU’s multi-disciplinary program that helps equip students for work in today's music industry. Running Start prepares students to creatively channel their passions into vibrant careers.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
600 music students
Music Faculty: 80 full time, 5 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Music Education • Musicology • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

National Federation of Music Clubs
See full information for

New England Conservatory
New England Conservatory
MISSION
New England Conservatory educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, drawing on our distinguished faculty’s deep reservoir of talent, as well as our creative community and educational partnerships. We are devoted to inculcating the highest standards of artistic excellence and nurturing individual artistic sensibility and creative growth. Understanding that music is one of the transcendent expressions of human civilization, NEC is committed to advancing music’s contribution to contemporary society.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
New England Conservatory (NEC) is the oldest conservatory in the United States, renowned for its legacy of innovation and excellence in classical, jazz, and contemporary music. With esteemed faculty, world-class facilities, and a collaborative environment, NEC prepares instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists for diverse musical careers worldwide.
LOCATION
290 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
ADMISSIONS
617-585-1101
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
The Entrepreneurial Musicianship program provides students and alumni with individual advising and career coaching, courses to gain professional skill within the conservatory curriculum, pathways to gain professional experience through hands-on learning, and opportunities to fund and incubate new creative work.

A recognized trailblazer, NEC's Community Performances and Partnerships Program is one of the premier programs in the nation for engaging conservatory students with their community through robust, meaningful partnership activities and high quality training. CPP interacts annually with over to 10,000 people through over 150 events and 700 hours of teaching that reach across ages, neighborhoods, ethnicities, and economic disparities in the city of Boston and beyond.

CPP simultaneously provides NEC students with a crucial opportunity to explore what it means to be a musician living in and contributing to community life, within an atmosphere of supportive mentoring, professional development, and experiential learning.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
885 music students
Music Faculty: 109 full time, 138 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Musicology • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Collaborative Piano • Contemporary Musical Arts
DEGREE PROGRAMS
SOCIAL LINKS

New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy
New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy
MISSION
The mission of the New World Symphony is to train gifted graduates of music schools and conservatories for leadership roles in classical music. The New World Symphony envisions a strong and secure future for classical music and will reimagine, reaffirm, express and share its traditions with as many people as possible.

The New World Symphony will be diverse and inclusive. We recognize that the viability of the performing arts depends on their being reflective of the communities in which they exist. NWS is proud to be partnering with many organizations to realize the goal of the reflective orchestra.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
A laboratory for the way music is taught, presented, and experienced, the New World Symphony consists of 87 musicians who are granted fellowships lasting up to three years. The fellowship offers in-depth exposure to traditional and modern repertoire, professional development training, and personalized experiences working with leading guest faculty. The New World Symphony is a non-degree granting member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
LOCATION
New World Center
500 17th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
ADMISSIONS
305-428-3300
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
NWS BLUE PROJECT: NWS Fellows and alumni participate in NWS Blue projects . Standing for Build, Learn, Understand and Experiment, NWS’s Blue program is a combination of leadership and entrepreneurship training and hands-on experimentation that provides NWS Fellows and alumni with a comprehensive skill set to complement their musical training.

NWS Blue projects allow all Fellows and selected alumni to pursue musical activism based on their personal interests with their own original initiatives, from concept to execution. These special projects guide their continued development, while demonstrating music's ability to have a positive impact on the community, and benefiting South Florida programs and businesses. The selected alumni projects receive support and mentorship virtually as they execute their entrepreneurial endeavors around the globe.

The impacts and value of the unique NWS Blue program are currently being studied as part of a long-term research project on sustainable entrepreneurship in the performing arts supported by NEA Research Labs: The Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation.

AUDITION SEMINARS: An intensive four-day audition preparation seminar, involving visiting coaches from major orchestras, is held each year consisting of a series of audition training exercises and private audition coaching, as well as a panel discussion of the audition process from the perspective of the orchestra audition committee. In addition, Fellows organize monthly mock auditions intended to replicate the conditions of professional orchestra auditions, with the occasional participation of guest conductors and coaches. To assist Fellows in achieving optimal performance in audition and performance settings, NWS presents an annual series of workshops with psychologist Dr. Noa Kageyama. His groundbreaking work with NWS Fellows includes individual training and group exercises.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
87 music students
Music Faculty: 9 full time, 1100 adjunct
87 scholarships awarded
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Collaborative Piano • Conducting • Early Music • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Business • Music Education • Piano • Strings • Winds & Percussion
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS (non-matriculating/prep)
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
SOCIAL LINKS

Northeastern University Department of Music, College of Arts, Media & Design
See full information for

NYU Steinhardt
NYU Steinhardt
New York University
MISSION
NYU Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions (MPAP) offers an unparalleled opportunity for artistic, professional, and personal growth. MPAP students are able to explore interdisciplinary opportunities in Performance and Composition, Music Business and Arts Administration, Music Technology, Creative Arts Therapies, and Arts in Education. Enjoy access to world renowned artists and leading organizations such as Sony, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the World Health Organization and many more. Under the mentorship of our faculty—including experienced Broadway performers and Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winners--students gain transformative experiences and career-shaping connections.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Specialized music and performing arts professions curricula with a liberal arts foundation in the heart of New York City.
LOCATION
35 West 4th Street
New York, NY 10012
ADMISSIONS
212-998-4550
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
1615 music students
Music Faculty: 49 full time, 692 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Business • Music Education • Musicology • Music Therapy • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Screen scoring • Music technology
DEGREE PROGRAMS
ONLINE COURSES
Up to 25% will be available as hybrid or online-only courses
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Oberlin College
MISSION
The aims of Oberlin College and Conservatory are to: graduate students who think with intellectual rigor, creativity, and independence; provide the highest level of conservatory education leading to lives of professional impact in all areas of music; offer superb liberal arts education; open the world to its students so they develop the skills and knowledge they will need to engage highly diverse communities; nurture students’ creativity; help students clarify and integrate their intellectual strengths and interests, social commitments, and vocational aspirations; enable students to integrate and apply their knowledge; and nurture students’ social consciousness and environmental awareness.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Oberlin Conservatory specializes in training undergraduate musicians for careers in classical, contemporary, jazz, early music, and music theater performance as well as composition, electronic music, and recording arts and production. Embedded within Oberlin College, the school is renowned for the Double Degree Program [https://www.oberlin.edu/admissions-and-aid/double-degree-program] and opportunities for academic minors.
LOCATION
77 West College Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
ADMISSIONS
440-775-8413
Audition Requirements
Audition Requirements
Audition requirements vary according to discipline; see above link for details.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Oberlin College’s Career Center and Oberlin Conservatory's Professional Development Office help students and recent alumni in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music identify and achieve meaningful career objectives that build upon their Oberlin education and experiences. We offer group and individual counseling as well as curricular and experiential opportunities that complement all students’ learning and experiences during their time at Oberlin.

Career Communities dedicated to Arts and Creative Professions and Music Leadership are ways for students to connect with other students, alumni, parents, and faculty who share an interest or expertise in a particular employment sector.

Joint programs offered in collaboration with the College of Arts & Sciences and the Conservatory include the integrative concentrations in "Arts Administration and Leadership" and "Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement."
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
650 music students
Music Faculty: 80 full time, 25 adjunct
580 scholarships awarded
Scholarship details: The $10,000 Oberlin Commitment Scholarship is offered to all enrolling conservatory students. Additional financial aid and merit awards are available. Each student is also guaranteed access to $5,000 of internship support.
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Early Music • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Education • Musicology • Organ • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Ohio State University<br>School of Music
The Ohio State University
School of Music
MISSION
The Ohio State University School of Music educates students for professional careers in composition, performance, scholarship and teaching. Recognizing the dynamic and evolving character of music in contemporary life, the school acknowledges an ongoing responsibility to evaluate its programs and procedures, and to investigate fresh approaches to the realization of its mission. In keeping with the university’s broader mission, the school is committed to nurturing the best of Ohio’s students, while maintaining excellence and diversity by recruiting nationally and internationally.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
The school recognizes the relationship that binds music to other academic and artistic disciplines and provides students with a comprehensive education, preparing them for professional careers in composition, performance, scholarship, and teaching.
LOCATION
1866 College Road North
Columbus, OH 43210
ADMISSIONS
614-688-0372
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Career Counseling and Support Services lists relevant, on and off campus, career resources to assist all OSU students in their career decision making processes. These career links represent useful suggestions that you may want to consult depending on your career planning needs and career goals.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
450 music students
Music Faculty: 60 full time, 40 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Business • Music Education • Musicology • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
SOCIAL LINKS

The Peabody Conservatory
The Johns Hopkins University
See full information for

Peck School of the Arts
Peck School of the Arts
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
MISSION
-To engage in sustained research and performance which will enhance and fulfill the University’s role as an institution of academic and professional excellence.
-To attract highly qualified students who demonstrate the potential for intellectual and artistic development, innovation, and leadership for their communities.
-To further academic and professional opportunities at all levels for women, minority, part-time, and financially or educationally disadvantaged students.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Music at UW-Milwaukee offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate education and is the largest professional degree granting music department in the UW System. Our renowned artist faculty and alumni perform with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Florentine Opera, Present Music, and more.
LOCATION
UWM Department of Music
PO Box 413
Milwaukee WI 53201
ADMISSIONS
414-229-4763
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
UW-Milwaukee offers a comprehensive Career Planning and Resource Center.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
300 music students
Music Faculty: 15 full time, 30 adjunct
130 scholarships awarded
Scholarship details: $2,000
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Music Education • Musicology • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
ONLINE COURSES
Up to 25% will be available as hybrid or online-only courses
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

Purchase College Conservatory of Music
Purchase College Conservatory of Music
State University of New York
MISSION
Purchase College, SUNY, offers a unique education that combines programs in the liberal arts with conservatory programs in the arts in ways that emphasize inquiry, mastery of skills, and creativity. Our graduates contribute to the arts, humanities, sciences, and society.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
The Purchase College Conservatory of Music offers a multidisciplinary approach to conservatory training; individualized attention and mentoring from world-class musicians; scholarships and financial aid; double majors and minors, including arts management; and a location just 40 minutes from New York City.
LOCATION
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
ADMISSIONS
914-251-6700
Audition Requirements
Audition Requirements
An application for admission must be on file in order to qualify for a live audition.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Our Career Development Center offers support in choosing the right major, marketing yourself, interviewing, and job and graduate-school prep. Services are also available for alumni.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
400 music students
Music Faculty: 25 full time, 50 adjunct
100 scholarships awarded
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Composition (Performance) • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Studio Composition • Studio Production
DEGREE PROGRAMS
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS (non-matriculating/prep)
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

Reina Sofía School of Music
See full information for

Rider University
Rider University
MISSION
Rider University inspires, prepares and empowers emerging artists through a supportive, immersive and unique arts community. Our students achieve a high level of artistry and acquire the professional skills to become contemporary leaders who transform local and global communities through humanity, inclusion and access for all.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Art opens our minds, expands our world and changes us for the better. That’s why every Rider student has the opportunity to explore their artistic authenticity, whether pursuing a career in the arts or seeking the enrichment found through its study.
LOCATION
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08683
ADMISSIONS
609-896-5042
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
All students have access to the resources and assistance offered through the office of Career Development and Success at Rider University. Students are also encouraged by their teachers and advisors to explore various performing opportunities available right on campus and take advantage of Rider’s close proximity to New York and Philadelphia where thousands of opportunities await to make lasting connections and build your résumé.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
170 music students
Music Faculty: 14 full time, 20 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Conducting • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Education • Organ • Piano • Vocal Arts/Opera • Acting for Film, Television & Theatre • Choral Conducting • Choral Pedagogy • Dance • Dance Science • Film & Television • Game & Interactive Media Design • Music Production • Musical Theatre • Sacred Music • Theatre • Voice Pedagogy • Voice Performance
DEGREE PROGRAMS
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
ONLINE COURSES
Up to 25% will be available as hybrid or online-only courses
SOCIAL LINKS

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Birmingham City University
MISSION
The Conservatoire pays care and attention to musicians as entrepreneurs. It prepares students for the opportunities and challenges presented by the future of the profession, with the intention that they leave us as employable music professionals.

We believe our students, our city and the global future of music education deserve the best.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a world-class institution providing exceptional training for the musicians, actors, stage managers, and performers of the future. Our outstanding facilities attract the best and brightest students to Birmingham, along with internationally renowned performers and teachers.
LOCATION
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
200 Jennens Road
Birmingham
B4 7XR
UNITED KINGDOM
ADMISSIONS
+44 (0)121 331 5901
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
600 music students
Music Faculty: 50 full time, 200 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Early Music • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Education • Musicology • Organ • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Experimental Performance
DEGREE PROGRAMS
SOCIAL LINKS

Royal College of Music
See full information for

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
MISSION
Established in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers specialist teaching across music, drama, dance, production, film and education.

As Scotland’s only conservatoire, RCS is uniquely placed to partner with the country’s leading artistic companies to provide one-of-a-kind learning experiences. It’s also a centre of performance—and one of the nation’s busiest arts venues—where students can develop their craft, create new work and collaborate across art forms in one of the finest multi-disciplinary education environments in the world.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
RCS is a global leader in performing arts education (QS World University Rankings 2025) 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.
LOCATION
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G2 3DB
SCOTLAND
ADMISSIONS
+44 141 332 4101
Audition Requirements
Audition Requirements
Audition requirements vary from course to course, full details can be found on each specific degree page.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Students will be given opportunities to perform in side-by-side concerts with the likes of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Ensemble. Our Vocal Performance and Opera students will also receive masterclasses from Scottish Opera and have the chance throughout their studies to work with the company.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
750 music students
Music Faculty: 60 full time, 131 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Music Education • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Traditional Music • Traditional Music (Piping) • Chamber Music • Piano for Dance • Performance and Pedagogy • Repetiteurship
DEGREE PROGRAMS
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
ONLINE COURSES
Up to 25% will be available as hybrid or online-only courses
SOCIAL LINKS

San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
MISSION
SFCM's mission is to transform students artistically, intellectually, professionally, and individually. Through the study of music at the highest level, SFCM students learn to seek achievement in every endeavor, to convert challenge into opportunity, to understand the nature of excellence, and to pursue their dreams with vigor and determination. We believe that inspiring the imagination, cultivating the artist, honing the intellect, and developing the professional are the keys to launching innovative graduates who excel in any field.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
At the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, we're reimagining conservatory training. Located in the heart of San Francisco's arts and culture scene, our renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and exclusive partnerships with Opus 3, Askonas Holt, and GRAMMY-winning label Pentatone offer unparalleled opportunities for the musicians of tomorrow.
LOCATION
50 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
ADMISSIONS
415-503-6271
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
The Professional Development and Engagement Center (PDEC) offers students gig opportunities, internships, a grant service, access to employment listings, and a host of courses focused on marketing, finance, teaching, and technology.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
469 music students
Music Faculty: 35 full time, 167 adjunct
Scholarship details: 100% of students receive SFCM scholarships; the average scholarship covers 60% of tuition
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Organ • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Chamber Music • Classical Guitar • Technology and Applied Composition • Historical Performance • RJAM (Roots, Jazz, and American Music)
DEGREE PROGRAMS
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS (non-matriculating/prep)
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
ONLINE COURSES
Additional plans under consideration
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music
The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music
The New School's College of Performing Arts
MISSION
The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music is a global hub for forward-thinking artists, renowned for its innovative approach. We are dedicated to fostering creativity through personalized mentorship with world-leading musicians. Students explore their unique musical identities, crossing disciplines to forge new rhythms and compositions. With nearly 90 ensembles each semester, opportunities abound for performance in NYC's vibrant venues and worldwide festivals. Our Gig Office jumpstarts careers by connecting students with top industry professionals. Integrating arts, history, and more, our curriculum prepares graduates for diverse creative paths, which is evident in alumni success across genres worldwide.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
At the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, every student receives personalized mentorship with our faculty of legendary professionals. Our unique education with agency allows students to choose their teachers and create their own ensembles, providing the tools and experience needed to thrive as professional artists.
LOCATION
55 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
ADMISSIONS
212-229-5150
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
At the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, students receive exceptional preparation for careers in music by engaging in a highly progressive curriculum to develop their unique artistic voice and explore how to use that voice to engage with the world around them, in and through the arts. In transitioning from student to citizen artist, students benefit from the mentorship and guidance of world-class faculty and supportive administrative staff. The New School's Career Services office helps students build professional networks by fostering connections with alumni, faculty, and employers. It offers an online job board, interview and portfolio workshops, networking opportunities, career fairs, internship support, and other resources.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
250 music students
Music Faculty: 6 full time, 147 adjunct
220 scholarships awarded
Scholarship details: $28,000
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Media studies (including audio and video production) • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

Schulich School of Music
Schulich School of Music
McGill University
MISSION
The mission of the Schulich School of Music is to offer the highest calibre of teaching and learning, grounded in exceptional performance and research, in an inclusive and inspiring environment. This mission is directed at enabling students to achieve their full potential as innovators, cultural leaders, and global citizens, well-prepared to face the 21st century, to maintain strong connections to local and global communities, and to advance well-being through the creative use of music.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
The Schulich School of Music of McGill University offers the highest caliber of teaching and learning, grounded in exceptional performance and research, in an inclusive and inspiring environment. We are located in Montréal, Québec, Canada, also known as Canada's cultural capital. Classes are taught in English.
LOCATION
527 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
H3A1E3
CANADA
ADMISSIONS
514-398-4991
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
https://www.mcgill.ca/music/resources/career-planning
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
850 music students
Music Faculty: 80 full time, 120 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Early Music • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Music Education • Musicology • Organ • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
SOCIAL LINKS

Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah University
MISSION
As a visionary and collaborative arts community, we educate motivated students in a supportive and inclusive environment and equip them for professional success.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Shenandoah Conservatory offers rigorous professional training in Music, Theatre and Dance, with extensive performance opportunities, collaborative and interdisciplinary experiences, and close mentoring relationships with exceptionally accomplished faculty.
LOCATION
Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah University
1460 University Drive
Winchester, VA 22601
ADMISSIONS
540-665-4581
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Shenandoah University's Career & Professional Development office provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to support career exploration and professional growth of SU students. The office works with students in all aspects of the career development process, from choosing a major to career changes. Services include experiential learning through internships, volunteer, summer, and part-time opportunities, résumé building, interview skills workshops, and graduate school and job search assistance.
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
400 music students
Music Faculty: 62 full time, 53 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Arts Leadership • Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media • Music Education • Musicology • Music Therapy • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • Acting • Collaborative Audio Arts • Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development • Composition Performance • Conducting Performance • Dance • Jazz & Commercial Music • Music Performance (Guitar, Piano, Wind, String, Percussion, Voice, and Woodwind Doubling) • Music Production & Recording Technology • Musical Theatre • Musical Theatre Accompanying • Theatre Design & Production (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Sound, Stage Management, and Technical Production) • Vocal Pedagogy (Classical & Contemporary Commercial Music)
DEGREE PROGRAMS
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS (non-matriculating/prep)
ONLINE COURSES
Up to 25% will be available as hybrid or online-only courses
HEALTH & SAFETY
SOCIAL LINKS

Shepherd School of Music
Rice University
See full information for

Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas and HEC Montréal
See full information for

Teachers College
Teachers College
Columbia University
MISSION
Our mission is to create music teaching and learning environments, which value music making nurtured over the lifespan. We aim to maintain diverse musical traditions while honoring the core pedagogical commitments to 1) playing and singing with others; 2) challenging learners to recognize and respond skillfully and meaningfully to musical potential; and 3) encouraging variation and innovation through composition and improvisation.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
The flexible hybrid learning format of our master's program features online coursework during the academic year and two immersive summer residencies in New York City—the world's premier cultural hub. Our intellectually rigorous program offers students an engaging, media-rich online learning experience that mirrors our dynamic on-campus environment.
LOCATION
Teachers College, Columbia University
525 West 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
ADMISSIONS
877-238-6628
Admissions Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Career Assistance
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
180 music students
Music Faculty: 6 full time, 9 adjunct
AREAS OF STUDY
Music Education
DEGREE PROGRAMS
BROCHURE / CATALOGUE
ONLINE COURSES
76% to 100% will be available as hybrid or online-only courses
SOCIAL LINKS

The Orchestra Now
The Orchestra Now
Bard College
MISSION
The Orchestra Now (TŌN) is a unique pre-professional orchestra and master's degree program that combines performance with rigorous study of the humanities, inspiring musicians to become creative ambassadors of classical music. Musicians receive two or three years of advanced orchestral training and take graduate-level courses in orchestral and curatorial studies. TŌN's innovative curriculum combines rehearsal, performance, recording, and touring with seminars, masterclasses, professional development workshops, teaching, and more. In TŌN, you will be part of an ensemble of forward-thinking, exceptional musicians who intend to redefine what it means to be an orchestra.
WHAT MAKES THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE?
Pre-professional orchestra that combines performance with rigorous study of the humanities; three-year Master's Degree or two-year Advanced Certificate; full-tuition fellowship and bi-weekly stipend; world-renowned guest conductors; regular performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
LOCATION
30 Campus Road
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504
ADMISSIONS
845-752-2422
Audition Requirements
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAREER / POST-GRADUATION ASSISTANCE
Audition preparation class; professional development seminars
KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)
74 music students
Music Faculty: 6 full time, 1 adjunct
Scholarship details: $68,000/yr
AREAS OF STUDY
Brass • Strings • Winds & Percussion
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Master of Music in Curatorial, Critical, and Performance Studies Advanced Certificate in Orchestral Studies
SOCIAL LINKS

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