Music School

In the United States, a music school may refer to an informal, unaccredited place of learning that offers classes in a variety of musical subjects. More often, music school refers to a conservatory, whose focus is on music or other forms of art, and does not offer liberal courses of study. Music schools may also be departments within larger universities.

Fast Facts

1. Also called: Conservatory, academy of music, college of music, conservatoire (British), conservatorium (Australian)
2. A university or college music school grants academic-professional degrees
3. Academic- "non-professional use" music school degrees are the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
4. Music schools also grant special "non-academic"-recognized performance degrees
5. NASM: Main accreditor for U.S. music schools
6. AEC: Main association for European music schools
7. Prominent American music schools: Juilliard School of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Eastman School¹

History of Music Schools

While schools of music were previously in existence in Asia and Europe, usually in conjunction with religious institutions, France's first secularized music school emerged in 1784. French music schools later became the model for other countries devoted to teaching music. In the 19th century, institutionalized conservatories emerged all across Europe and the United States.¹ Today, music schools are located in Asia, Africa and the rest of the world.

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