Music Colleges

Music is a demanding discipline and every serious would be musician wants to enroll in one of the best music colleges to gain their qualifications. Some of these colleges are extremely prestigious and household names across the world. They are keen to preserve their traditions whilst keeping pace with contemporary musical tastes.

One of these fine institutions is the Conservatoire de Paris. It boasts an impressive roll call of former students, including the composers Bizet, Berlioz, Debussey and Boulet. Students here are encouraged to have performance experience and there is a Conservatoire Graduates Orchestra and a Conservatoire Student Orchestra. Classes include lessons in harmony, composition and conducting. Students learn about different musical genres, such as opera, early music and jazz. Theory is taught across all departments and there is training in vocal and instrumental music. This is one of the best music colleges to study chamber music and string quartets. There is a teacher training curriculum and a recording studio.

The Royal College of Music in London opened its doors in 1882 and is one of the most respected music colleges in the world. It offers classical music training to undergraduates and up to doctorate level. Many former students have risen to the top of their profession, including composers Malcolm Arnold and Benjamn Britten. Guitarist Julian Bream and opera singer Joan Sutherland also graduated from here in addition to brothers Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber. The college is proud of its historic collection of original manuscripts by such notables as Mozart and Hadyn. There is also a large music library and a collection of concert programmes. The college runs The Museum of Musical Instruments, which is open to the public and displays western, African and Asian instruments.

The Juillard is located at the Lincoln Center in New York and is one of the most respected of the international music colleges. Founded in 1905, its previous graduates represent a varied array of artists and include great jazzman Miles Davis, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itchak Perlman and Barry Manilow and Henry Mancini. There is provision for 800 undergraduates and graduates in a modern building, containing practice rooms, rehearsal space and studios. There are also four large concert halls and a grand 4,192 pipe organ. Students have the opportunity of performing in several different college orchestras. Students here receive free or reduced tickets for the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. The curriculum includes conducting and composition and students enjoy an active social life on campus too.