Ever since its founding in 1892 as a conservatory of music, Ithaca College has been nurturing its musical character. The College remains dedicated to the goals of its founder, W. Grant Egbert, who said, "It is my plan to build a school of music second to none in the excellence of its faculty, the soundness of its educational ideals, and the superior quality of instruction." Since 1941, the School of Music has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
As the conservatory evolved into a college with expanded academic offerings, our programs in music retained their position of prominence. Today the School of Music continues to earn its reputation as one of the best in the nation, providing a supportive community that nurtures your talent while challenging you to succeed in a competitive field. You will benefit from a superb blend of first-class faculty, small classes, personalized instruction, innovative programs, varied options, and outstanding facilities.
No matter what your musical interests, you will find we emphasize performance. Our students perform regularly in local, national, and international venues. And at Ithaca undergrads always take the stage, both on and off campus.
Not only will you have access to our broad curriculum, but you can also take classes in any of the College's schools. As a result, you will be well prepared for a host of careers -- Ithaca's graduates work in almost every music field imaginable, from professional performance, teaching, and arts administration to instrument manufacturing, sound recording, and music publishing.