The purpose of this article is to help you find the prestigious music schools in the world. So that you can make a more informed decision. The is targeted for someone looking for the best music schools in the world. In fact it covers the some of the best music conservatories in the world. Introducing: 23 Most Reputable Music Schools In The World.
Before we talk about Prestigious Music Schools – can we get to appreciate the word Prestigious some more – by looking at its synonyms?
The list of words include:
- Reputable
- Distinguished
- Respected
- Esteemed
- Estimable
- Eminent
- Honoured
- Of High Standing
- Of Note
- Highly Regarded
So why would some music schools be featured as one of the prestigious music schools in the world? – Well such school must be of high standing, must be reputable, must esteemed.
Let me take you through the web, to show you the music schools, that people have decided as Prestigious.
10 Most Prestigious Music Schools In The World
List of schools include the following (In no particular order)
Juilliard School (Best Music Conservatories In The World) – #1
It’s a private performing arts conservatory – located in New York City, New York.
It trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music.
The Juilliard School is regarded as one of the world’s leading drama, music and dance schools. It’s prestigious arts programs includes the following:
- Instruments
- Vocal Arts
- Jazz Studies
- Historical Performance
- Composition
- and Orchestral Conducting.
Year Founded
The school was established in 1905.
5 Notable Alumni of The Juilliard school include:
- Kevin Spacey
- Robin Williams
- Viola Davis
- Itzhak Perlman
- Val Kilmer.
Rankings – The Juilliard School
- The Top 25 Music School Programs in the US
#1 · successfulstudent.org - Best Music Schools In The World For 2019
#1 · ceoworld.biz - The 20 Best Music Conservatories in the US
#1 · thebestschools.org - THR Ranks the 25 Best Drama Schools for an MFA
#1 · hollywoodreporter.com - Top 9 Acting Colleges & BFA Programs in the US
#4 · ace-your-audition.com
Their official website of Juilliard School can be accessed at www.juilliard.edu [Link]
Curtis Institute of Music (Best Music Conservatories In The World) – #2
The Curtis Institute of Music is a private conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It offers courses of study leading to the following:
- Performance diploma
- Bachelor of Music
- Master of Music in opera
- Professional Studies Certificate in opera.
The Curtis Institute of Music – located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Address: 1726 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States.
Acceptance rate
The Curtis Institute of Music has an acceptance rate of 4%.
Year Founded
The Curtis Institute of Music was founded in 1924 (97 years ago in 2021).
5 Notable Alumni of The Curtis Institute of Music include:
- Samuel Barber
- Leonard Bernstein
- Gian Carlo Menotti
- Gary Graffman
- Alan Gilbert.
Rankings of Curtis Institute of Music
- The Top 25 Music School Programs in the US
#2 – successfulstudent.org - The 20 Best Music Conservatories in the US
#2 – thebestschools.org - 8 Colleges Where Students Attend For Free
#4 – bestcollegereviews.org - 20 Tuition-Free Colleges
#6 – affordableschools.net - Best Music Schools In The World For 2019
#13 – ceoworld.biz
Official website for Curtis Institute of music can be accessed at www.curtis.edu [Link]
Berklee College Of Music: Prestigious Music Schools – #3
Berklee College of Music is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts. It’s considered as the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world.
Located at Address: Boston, MA 02215, United States
Year Founded
Established in 1945 (as of 2021 – that’s 76 years ago)
Acceptance rate
Berklee College has an Acceptance rate of 51%
Rankings of Berklee College
- Best Music Schools In The World For 2019
#2 ceoworld.biz - The Top 25 Music School Programs in the US
#4 successfulstudent.org - The 20 Best Music Conservatories in the US
#4 thebestschools.org - Top 10 Schools for Aspiring Songwriters
#1 collegemagazine.com - The Top 25 Music Schools 2015
#2 hollywoodreporter.com
Berklee College’ 5 Notable Alumni include:
- John Mayer
- Charlie Puth
- Quincy Jones
- Gillian Welch
- Steve Vai.
Official website of Berklee College of Music can be accessed at www.berklee.edu [Link]
The Royal Academy Of Music: Prestigious Music Schools – #4
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is the oldest conservatoire in the UK.
It’s a place for new musicians to connect, collaborate and create.
Located at Address: Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 5HT, United Kingdom
Year Founded
Founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas-Charles Bochsa
Acceptance rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “Royal Academy of Music acceptance rate” shows that the school has an acceptance rate of 10%
Rankings of The Royal Academy of Music are not clear to establish.
The Royal Academy of Music’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Tom Read Wilson
- Simon Rattle
- Evelyn Glennie
- Jacob Collier
- Sheku Kanneh-Mason
- Harrison Birtwistle
- Arnold Bax
Their official website URL is: www.ram.ac.uk – [Link]
England Conservatory Of Music (Best Music Conservatories In The World) – #5
New England Conservatory of Music is a private music school. Located in Boston, Massachusetts.
It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States. And according to Wikipedia, it’s among the most prestigious in the world.
Located at Address: 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
Year Founded
Established in 1867. And has its President as Andrea Kalyn
Acceptance rate
New England Conservatory of Music has an acceptance rate of 37%
Rankings of New England Conservatory of Music
- The Top 25 Music School Programs in the US
#3 · successfulstudent.org - Best Music Schools In The World For 2019
#3 · ceoworld.biz - Most Students Receiving Merit Aid
#4 · usnews.com - The 20 Best Music Conservatories in the US
#6 · thebestschools.org - The Best Cello Colleges
#1 · cellocentral.com
New England Conservatory of Music’ 5 Notable Alumni include:
- Eleanor Steber
- Rusty Warren
- John Medeski
- Don Byron
- Fred Hersch
Their website URL is: www.necmusic.edu [Link]
Yale School Of Music: Prestigious Music Schools – #6
It’s one of the 12 professional schools at Yale University. It offers three graduate degrees:
- Master of Music
- Master of Musical Arts
- Doctor of Musical Arts.
- Certificate in Performance
- Artist Diploma
etc.
Located in Yale Center for British Art
Address: 98 Wall St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Year Founded
Established in 1894
Acceptance rate of Yale School of Music
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “Yale School of Music acceptance rate” shows that it has an acceptance rate of 8-10%
Rankings of Yale School of Music are not clear to establish.
Yale School of Music’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- David Lang
- Marco Beltrami
- Martin Leung
- Aldo Parisot
- Daniel Asia
- Reena Esmail
- Hannah Lash
Their official website URL is: www.music.yale.edu – [Link]
Jacobs School Of Music: Prestigious Music Schools – #7
It’s a music conservatory established in 1921.
It has more than 1,500 students. Admission to the Jacobs School of Music is done by a live or recorded audition only. It’s a Public music school.
And the school of music is said to draw people from all across the world.
Jacobs School of Music – also known as – Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Located in: Indiana University Bloomington
Address: 205 S Jordan Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
Year Founded
1921; 100 years ago – as of 2021
Acceptance Rate
According to Wikipedia, Jacobs School of Music has an acceptance rate of about 25 percent.
Rankings of Jacobs School of Music are not clear to establish.
Jacobs School of Music ‘ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Joshua Bell
- Sylvia McNair
- David Baker
- Angela Brown
- Kenny Aronoff
- Shawn Pelton
- Larry Ridley
Their official website URL is www.music.indiana.edu [Link]
Mannes School of Music: Prestigious Music Schools – #8
A music conservatory in The New School – a private research university in New York City.
Mannes School of Music has transformed the traditional music conservatory. It has done that, by integrating rigorous classical training with boundary-pushing performance.
Located in New York City, New York
Address: 55 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, United States
Year Founded
Mannes School of Music was established in 1916
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “Mannes School of Music acceptance rate” shows that it has an acceptance rate of 24%
Rankings of Mannes School of Music are not clear to establish.
Mannes School of Music’ 5 Notable Alumni include:
- Nadine Sierra
- Murray Perahia
- Frederica von Stade
- Burt Bacharach
- JoAnn Falletta
Their official website URL is: www.newschool.edu/mannes – [Link]
Manhattan School Of Music (Best Music Conservatories In The World)- #9
It’s a private music conservatory in New York City.
Manhattan School of Music offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in areas below:
Classical and jazz performance and composition. It also offers a bachelor’s in musical theatre.
Located in New York City, New York.
Address: 130 Claremont Ave, New York, NY 10027, United States
Year Founded
Established in 1917
Acceptance Rate
Manhattan School of Music has an Acceptance rate of 36%
Rankings of Manhattan School of Music
- The 20 Best Music Conservatories in the US
#3 · thebestschools.org - The Top 25 Music School Programs in the US
#6 · successfulstudent.org - Best Music Schools In The World For 2019
#12 · ceoworld.biz - 2021 Best Colleges for Music in New York
#3 · collegefactual.com - The Top 10 BMus Musical Theatre Programs for 2018-19
#4 · onstageblog.com
Manhattan School of Music’ 5 Notable Alumni include
- Jason Moran
- Stefon Harris
- John Corigliano
- Kirill Gerstein
- Anna Clyne
Their official website URL is: www.msmnyc.edu [Link]
USC Thornton School Of Music – #10
The Thornton School is the oldest continually operating arts institution in Southern California.
USC Thornton School of Music brings together a stellar faculty. A faculty which covers a broad spectrum of the music profession. As well as gifted students from around the globe.
Located in: University of Southern California
Address: 840 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
Year Founded
Established in 1884
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “USC Thornton School of Music acceptance rate” shows that it has an acceptance rate of 20%
Rankings of USC Thornton School of Music are not clear to establish.
USC Thornton School of Music’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Marilyn Horne
- Morten Lauridsen
- Michael Tilson Thomas
- Grant Gershon
- Bruce Broughton
- Jerry Blackstone
- James Horner
Their official website URL is: www.music.usc.edu – [Link]
(The 10 list is inspired by OSAU.com)
Let’s get some more prestigious schools:
Most Prestigious Music Degree Programs In The World (+7 More)
Another list of Prestigious Music Schools was put together by onlineschoolscenter.com – it was interesting to see that all the 10 schools we mentioned on the first list above – all made it also into this list below:
Thumbs-up to all the first 10 schools, that got a second mention on this list most Prestigious music schools.
So apart from the 10 prestigious music schools, already listed above, check out these other reputable music schools:
Conservatoire de Paris: Prestigious Music Schools #11
The Conservatoire de Paris (also known as the Paris Conservatory). It’s officially known as the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.
The Conservatoire de Paris is a college of music and dance.
Located in: La Villette
Adresse: 209 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, France.
Year Founded
Established in 1795
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “Conservatoire de Paris acceptance rate” shows it has an acceptance rate of 3%
Rankings of Conservatoire de Paris are not clear to establish.
Conservatoire de Paris’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Hector Berlioz
- Nadia Boulanger
- Pierre Boulez
- Georges Bizet
- Claude Debussy
Their official website URL is: www.conservatoiredeparis.fr – [Link]
Eastman School Of Music – #12
It’s the professional school of music of the University of Rochester. Eastman School of Music is long regarded as one of the world’s premiere schools of music.
Located in: University of Rochester
Address: 26 Gibbs St, Rochester, NY 14604, United States.
Year Founded
Established in 1921, by founder: George Eastman.
Acceptance Rate
Eastman School of Music has an acceptance rate of 13% (2011).
Rankings of Eastman School of Music are not clear to establish.
Eastman School of Music’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Renée Fleming
- Chuck Mangione
- Ron Carter
- Mitch Miller
- Maria Schneider
- Frederick Fennell
- Steve Gadd
Their official website URL is: www.esm.rochester.edu – [Link]
University Of Music And Performing Arts Vienna: Prestigious Music Schools – #13
It’s an Austrian university located in Vienna. Having over three thousand students.
University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is the largest of its kind in Austria. And one of the largest institutions in the world.
Having an Academic staff of about 850 – and Administrative staff of about 200.
Located in Vienna, Austria
Address: Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Wien, Austria.
Year Founded
Established in 1817
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “University of music and performing arts Vienna acceptance rate” gave a 40%
Their rankings are not clear to establish.
University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Gustav Mahler
- Claudio Abbado
- George Enescu
- Angelika Kirchschlager
- Zubin Mehta
- Nikolaus Harnoncourt
- Joseph Joachim
(I would have been surprised if I couldn’t find a Viennese school on the list of reputable Music Schools. (Well that’s because I lived in Wien before – and I know how much I see foreign music students – from around the world!)
Their official website URL is: www.mdw.ac.at – [Link]
Oberlin Conservatory Of Music – #14
It’s a private music conservatory in Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.
Oberlin Conservatory of Music is the second oldest conservatory in the United States. It’s also the oldest continually operating conservatory in the United States.
Located in: Oberlin College
Address: 77 W College St, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States.
Year Founded
Established in 1865
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “Oberlin Conservatory of music acceptance rate” shows it has an acceptance rate of 34%
Their rankings are not clear to establish.
Oberlin Conservatory of Music’ 5 Notable Alumni include:
- George Walker
- Du Yun
- Robert Spano
- Stanley Cowell
- William Grant Still
Their official website is new.oberlin.edu/conservatory – [Link]
Moscow Conservatory – #15
It’s an educational music institution located in Moscow, Russia. Moscow Conservatory grants undergraduate and graduate diplomas in musical performance and musical research.
Located in Moscow Russia
Address: Bol’shaya Nikitskaya Ulitsa, 13/6, Moscow, Russia, 125009
Year Founded
It was co-founded in 1866 as the Moscow Imperial Conservatory by Nikolai Rubinstein.
Acceptance Rate
The Moscow P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory has an acceptance rate of 53% (2014).
Rankings of Moscow Conservatory are not clear to establish.
Moscow Conservatory’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Dmitry Kabalevsky
- Yuri Bashmet
- Aram Khachaturian
- Emil Gilels
- Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Sofia Gubaidulina
- Nikolai Lugansky
Official website is: www.mosconsv.ru/en – [Link]
Royal College of Music: Prestigious Music Schools – #16
It’s a conservatoire established by royal charter in 1882.
The Royal College of Music offers training – from the undergraduate to the doctoral level.
Their training covers all aspects of Western Music – including:
- Performance
- Composition
- Conducting
- Music theory and history
Located in London, England
Address: Prince Consort Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2BS, United Kingdom.
Year Founded
Established in 1882
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate is not clear to determine. But a lookup for “Royal College of Music acceptance rate” shows it has an acceptance rate of around 18%
Their rankings are not clear to establish.
Royal College of Music’ 7 Notable Alumni include:
- Benjamin Britten
- Colin Davis
- Samuel Coleridge‑Taylor
- Malcolm Arnold
- Frank Bridge
- Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Thomas Allen
Official website is: www.rcm.ac.uk [Link]
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – #17
It’s a conservatoire of dance, drama, music, production and film.
Before now, – it was known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. (Now known as Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has become the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland. (With over 500 public performances each year).
Located in Glasgow, Scotland
Address: 100 Renfrew St, Glasgow G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Year Founded
Was officially established in 1847. (Was granted degree-awarding powers in 1993)
Acceptance Rate
Their acceptance rate remained unclear to determine.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Rankings
- World top ten for performing arts education
(QS World Rankings 2020)
Royal College of Music’ 10 Notable Alumni include:
- James McAvoy
- David Tennant
- Alan Cumming
- Richard Madden
- Billy Boyd
- Colin Morgan
- Patrick Doyle
- Elaine C. Smith
- Ncuti Gatwa
- Robert Carlyle
Official website is: www.rcs.ac.uk [Link]
I found yet another list of prestigious music schools. However, merely looking at it – I can already see some of our already featured prestigious music schools.
Thus – I’m only listing the ones not already listed.
See below the new addition.
+6 Prestigious Music Schools: Best Music Schools In The World.
- Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler – #18
Established in 1950; 71 years ago in 2021.
Located in Berlin, Germany.
More information about this Distinguished music school can be found on their website. – [Link ] - Sibelius Academy – #19
Established in 1882
Located in Helsinki, Finland.
More information about this Respected music academy can be found on their website. [Link] - Guildhall School of Music and Drama – #20
Established in 1880
Located in London, England, United Kingdom
More information about this esteemed Music & Drama school can be found on it’s website. [Link] - Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University – #21
Established in 1857
Located in Baltimore, Maryland. United States.
More information about this estimable Music & Dance school can be found on it’s website. [Link] - Cleveland Institute of Music – #22
Established in 1920
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
More information about this estimable Music & Dance school can be found on it’s website. [Link] - New York University – #23
Established in 1890
Located at 35 W. 4th Street, 2nd Floor. New York, NY 10012, United States.
Need more information about this Eminent Music and Performing Arts school? – Check their website [Link]
With that – we’ve been able to show you a total of 23 prestigious music schools. We do hope that our list helps you make a great decision for a prestigious music school.
FAQ about – most prestigious music schools:
How Prestigious Is Juilliard?
Are you wondering why the majority consider Juilliard, as a prestigious music school?
see below for – why Juilliard School.
” Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading drama, music and dance schools, with some of the most prestigious arts programs.
- What Type of School is Juilliard? – Private conservatory
- When was Juilliard Established? – 1905; 116 years ago
- Who is the President of Juilliard? – Damian Woetzel
- Where is the Location? – New York City
- What type of Campus is Juilliard? – Urban
Is Berklee Better Than Juilliard?
A 2015 report on hollywoodreporter.com – writes on if Berklee is a better music school than Julliard. It’s based on acceptance rate, average class size, and music discipline
“With a more generous 35 percent acceptance rate and an average class size of 11 students.
Berklee ranks closely to Juilliard in terms of prestige … but embraces more mainstream popular music disciplines … jazz and music production, including student-run record labels and concert venues.”
How Prestigious Is Berklee College Of Music?
While qualifying Berklee as a reputable music school. I like how Berklee talked about this subject from it’s website:
“Founded in 1945, it was the first music school in the United States to include jazz in its curriculum.
Berklee consistently ranks in the top 10 of American conservatories.”
What Is The Hardest Music School To Get Into?
Talking about 10 best music schools in the world. Careersinmusic.com considered Curtis Institute of Music as the lead in this category. This is purely based on acceptance rate – see details below:
“As of 2019, the Curtis Institute of Music was the hardest music school to get into.
Curtis has a tiny 4.5% acceptance rate. In comparison, Harvard has a 4.7% acceptance rate and Stanford has a 4.4% acceptance rate.”
What Is The Acceptance Rate For Berklee College Of Music?
Berklee College of Music has a decent acceptance rate.
According to IPEDS. Berklee College of Music has a 51.4% acceptance rate. That’s about the highest when compared amongst Manhattan, Curtis and Juilliard:
- The Juilliard School acceptance rate: 6.9%
- Curtis Institute of Music acceptance rate: 3.9%
- Manhattan School of Music acceptance rate: 35.5%
I could go on taking more FAQ on this subject. But I also do not want this post to be too long.
We might need to make some more interesting FAQs – around most prestigious music schools. – but that’s all for now.
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