Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory is a performing arts conservatory located in the Fenway-Kenmore region of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater. The Conservatory offers Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, as well as Graduate Performance Diplomas, Artist Diplomas and Professional Studies Certificates. The Boston Conservatory was founded in 1867.
History
The Boston Conservatory was founded on February 11, 1867 by Julius Eichberg, a violinist and composer. Eichberg founded the Conservatory as a professional training academy and a community music school. It was one of the first conservatories to grant admission to African Americans and women. In 1873, Eichberg’s operetta, “The Doctor of Alcontara” was performed at the Conservatory by the first African-American opera company in the U.S. In 1878, Eichberg established the Eichberg String Quartet, the first professional female quartet.
Mr. Eichberg's death in 1893 lead to the direction of R. Marriner Floyd with Herman P. Chelius, organist and composer serving as the musical director. Under their direction, the school was first incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1896.
After the turn of the century, the Conservatory merged with the National Associated Studios of Music, and created the first "grand opera" department in the United States. In 1943, Jan Veen established The Boston Conservatory Dance Division, the first program to emphasize both classical ballet and America's emerging modern dance. In 1951, the school gained authority to award Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in drama and dance.
Currently, The Boston Conservatory is an independent private college which has accredited programs in music, dance and musical theater. The Conservatory presents more than 200 performances each year.
Academics
Programs of Study
- The Music Division
- For the 2011-2012 school year, the Music Division enrolled 232 undergraduate and 198 graduate students taught by 114 full- and part-time faculty. The school awards the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees as well as Graduate Performance Diplomas, Artist Diplomas and Professional Studies Certificates. Degrees are offered in the following: Brass, Choral Conducting, Collaborative Piano, Composition, Guitar, Harp, Marimba, Multiple Woodwind, Music Education, Opera, Orchestral Conducting, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Vocal Pedagogy, Voice and Woodwinds. The Director of the Music Division is Karl Paulnack.
- The Dance Division
- For the 2011-2012 school year, the Dance Division enrolled 87 undergraduate students. Training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, ethnic styles, Pilates, Alexander Technique, and choreography is offered. The Dance Division offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The Director of the Dance Division is Cathy Young.
- The Theater Division
- The Boston Conservatory’s Theater Division has developed a specialization in musical theater. The department offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Music degrees. Seniors may choose an emphasis in Directing, Music Performance, Dance, or Acting. In the 2011-2012 school year, the Theater Division enrolled 215 undergraduate and 18 graduate students. The Director of the Theater Division is Neil Donohoe.
High School & Collegiate Programs
- Experimental Musical Theater Intensive
- This two week intensive is for students (ages 18+) involved in theater, dance and voice who are looking to enhance their skills and learn about experimental modalities. The program runs January 2-15, 2012.
- Summer Dance Intensive
- This three week intensive program is for dancers (ages 16-26) with high proficiency in ballet who are looking to grow and expand their repertoire into contemporary and modern theater dance. Classes include courses in ballet and modern, pointe and variations, Pilates and Alexander techniques, choreography and percussive dance. The program runs June 24-July 14, 2012.
- Summer Brass Intensive
- This two week program is for brass musicians (ages 15-28) looking to build greater proficiency in their technical skills and musicianship through work in a large brass ensemble, chamber music groups and private instruction. The program runs July 8-21, 2012.
- The Vocal/Choral Intensive (VCI)
- This two week program is for high school students (ages 15-18) who are serious about singing and looking to build technical skills and musicianship. It offers cousework in solo, opera, musical theater and choral repertoire. The program runs July 8-21, 2012.
- Musical Theater Dance Intensive
- This three week intensive is for students (ages 15-25) with a high proficiency in dance who are looking to build skills in dance, voice and acting. The program runs July 15-August 4, 2012.
- High School Composition Intensive
- This two week program is for students (ages 15-18) who have a serious interest in music composition. Students will engage in rigorous daily practice of composition and have their original work performed by a professional string quartet. This program runs July 22-August 4, 2012.
Student life
Instead of dormitories, the Boston Conservatory uses Victorian brownstones for on-campus housing. Undergraduate rooms consist of quints, quads, triples, doubles, and singles. Freshmen are required to live on-campus, unless they commute from their home of origin. Northeastern University shares its cafeteria and its gym facilities with Conservatory students.
Some 29% of students live on campus.[1]
People
Notable Alumni
Notable Faculty
Presidents of The Boston Conservatory
References
- College Music Society (2006). Directory of Music Faculties in Colleges and Universities, U.S. and Canada 2006-2007, 28th Edition. Missoula, MT: College Music Society. p. 167. ISBN 1-881913-26-0.
- Uscher, Nancy (1988). The Schirmer Guide to Schools of Music and Conservatories Throughout the World. New York: Schirmer Books. pp. 150–151. ISBN 0-02-873030-5.
External links