If you are on a musical path that demands the time, intensity, and discipline of conservatory training, the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College should clearly be on your list of prospects.

For aspiring music professionals, Purchase College offers something rare in the conservatory world: A true musical community where competition is balanced by a commitment to mentoring. On our residential campus, just 35 minutes from New York City, your musical artistry will flourish as you join a spirited and friendly community of extraordinary musicians and performers—all training for professional careers, all focused on musical excellence.

Study with the best musicians in the world
The Conservatory's proximity to New York City makes it possible for you to study with the very best musicians in the world. Indeed, the quality, breadth, and partnership of the Conservatory faculty are the strengths of this program. Drawn from the ranks of the most accomplished and respected musicians in the greater New York area, their names and affiliations will be familiar to any serious musician.

Classes are small, training is personal, everyone performs
With an enrollment of about 400 students, including Bachelor of Music, Performers Certificate, Master of Music, and Artist Diploma candidates, Purchase is somewhat smaller than other major music conservatories. This means that students receive a great deal of personal attention and that everyone gets an opportunity to perform right from the start.

The Conservatory offers a comprehensive musical education. Students are required to take private or small-group study; work in ensembles; master a core set of courses in music theory, history, and musicianship; and perform in junior and senior recitals. No matter what your concentration, you will be encouraged to play music from all eras and traditions—early, classical, contemporary, jazz—and to play in the orchestra and in ensembles of all sizes.

Undergraduate academic requirements
Believing that musical mastery is fueled by intellectual insight and knowledge, the Conservatory builds a serious liberal arts component into your education. All undergraduate Conservatory students are required to complete 30 credits in the liberal arts.

The State University of New York mandates certain general education requirements for all undergraduate students. For undergraduate Conservatory students, the requirements include eight knowledge areas and two skill areas, which are fulfilled through approved programs of study. The fulfillment of a general education category at one SUNY campus guarantees that it need not be repeated if a student transfers to another SUNY campus.

World-class facilities
Your home on campus is the Music Building, a four-story building with outstanding facilities for practice, rehearsal, recording, and classroom study. It offers a variety of large, acoustically isolated rehearsal and performance spaces, including: a 198-seat Choral Hall; 280-seat Recital Hall; 75 practice rooms and 25 teaching studios; digital 8-, 16-, 24-, and 48-track recording studios, two fully equipped MIDI sequencing rooms, and two state-of-the-art hard-disk digital assembly studios.

Conservatory Life
The Conservatory of Music is a perfect environment for aspiring professional musicians. Your requirements for practice time, rehearsal time, ensemble work, and private study are respected and met. The music studios are open for practice until 2:00 am. And there is musical inspiration everywhere. The campus calendar is packed with student performances and important musical events. Because music is a collaborative art, and because ensemble work is a crucial part of your education, Purchase students develop and grow artistically in an atmosphere of creativity, experimentation, and partnership.

Supporting the Conservatory is the Friends of Music, a community group that funds scholarships and production expenses for the Conservatory of Music. Friends attend events, sponsor receptions, and are a great resource to the program.

Listen to samples from the Conservatory of Music.

Visit the Conservatory of Music.