The difference between a "conservatory" and a "school of music"? Regardless if a Uni is involved

Good morning! I have not been able to find the answer to this question no matter how much I ask Google, so I thought I’d bring it here. What the heck is the difference between a conservatory (regardless of whether or not it is attached to a University) and a school of music (regardless of whether or not it is attached to a University). My kid has applied to several of each and at Eastman, the Dean proudly mentioned during his welcome talk that Eastman is a School of Music, not a conservatory. Then, the Dean at Lawrence Conservatory called my son a couple nights ago and told him that many of the other schools my kid had applied to were schools of music, but his school was a conservatory. It seems as if each camp think of their “set-up” positively. But my son and I are embarrassed to admit we have no idea what the difference between the two is. As my kid said, “I thought that schools just chose the term that sounded more pleasing to the ear. I didn’t realize there was a difference.”

@Momofsingers Here’s an article my son scoured, dissected, internalized and decided that a conservatory just wasn’t for him. While it doesn’t really answer your question, it gives you an idea of what you’d choose IF type scenarios. So just depending on what your son is looking for will decide whether conservatory or music school.

https://musicschoolcentral.com/university-vs-conservatory/3/

All that said, and I TOO don’t really know the difference. Only that my son doesn’t want to GO to a conservatory and some of the music schools he got into tout themselves as “conservatory style” music school in a university setting. I’ll be watching this thread to see if there TRULY is a definitive answer.

That being said, last night I read somewhere (Niche, maybe? ) … that the top music school in the country is a music school, and not a conservatory at Northwestern. Go figure.

I don’t think there’s a difference between the two as it relates to the final objectives and career paths of the students; meaning your child’s musical goals could likely be achieved by going to either a conservatory or a school of music with a good program in their choice of study. The differences, which I think are becoming increasingly blurred, is: (1) the focus on the art versus liberal arts , (2) the degree awarded; and (3) the overall college experience.

(1) When looking at the focus of a conservatory versus school of music, GENERALLY conservatories are more focused on the craft itself. Most, if not all their classes will focus on their art and liberal arts education is limited. As opposed to a school of music where the student will likely have a much broader liberal arts education. Are students at Juilliard taking math and foreign language along with their artistic studies? Nope. But if your child went to a school of music, they might have to. Conservatories historically have been more immersive in their artistic pursuits. Like you mentioned, there are schools of music that do have a conservatory type focus, but generally speaking this is one key difference.

(2) Degrees Awarded: because most conservatories don’t have the broad liberal arts focus, they offer performance related degrees (BFA’s, Bachelors of Music, etc.). Conservatory style schools might also offer these types of degrees. Whereas a school of music might offer a Bachelor of Arts in Music, rather than a Bachelors of Music.

(3) Finally, the overall college experience can not be forgotten. Does your child want to go to football games and possibly live in the frat/sorority house? If they want that type of experience, then a good music school attached to a university might be the way to go. If they are okay without those things, and want to be so totally immersive in their particular field of study, then a conservatory might be the best option.

Again, I do think you can achieve great artistic success at either. My son was adamant that he was going to a conservatory and did NOT want to attend a school of music.
He just wrapped up auditions and now, more than likely, will be going to a school of music within a university. Teenagers :-). Best of luck to you both!

I think names can be very misleading to describe the experience, especially when considering the case of a music department within a university. D attends the Bienen School of Music within Northwestern University. She had to fulfill distribution requirements covering general liberal arts courses, but I would say 75% of her classes were within Bienen (and most of her non-Bienen classes were foreign languages, a must do for a vocalist). She will receive a BM. I would call Bienen a conservatory within a university!

The questions has been answered above in detail…as much is there is a true answer…lol. A “stand-alone” conservatory can be a different animal…but even many of those now offer liberal arts courses etc. However a “school of music” or a “conservatory” which is part of a university or LAC…meh…you’re still getting a BM…so whatever… But a school may try to use a “word” that they know is good for “marketing”…making you wonder…

I would let go of the idea that a conservatory or a school of music is better in the case of Lawrence or Eastman. I would look closely at the curriculum, the teacher, the environment etc. That is what will matter. What they call their music school will not…imho.

And btw…my D went to one conservatory and one school of music at universities. Couldn’t really tell a difference.

I don’t know the main difference, but my son attends the Conservatory of Music and Dance at a state university: University of Missouri - Kansas City. He lives (lived, now everyone is moving out) in the dorms with other students, and he still has general ed classes that he needs to take, even for his BM. What I noticed is that they seem to have a little more autonomy in running their programs. They have a full time advisor that oversees the schedules of all of the undergrads to make sure they are taking exactly the classes they need. Son received academic scholarships from the university and then an additional scholarship from the Conservatory. To me, it doesn’t seem much different than a College of Music within a university.

No matter what schools want to be called, I just thought that some conservatories include “Dance / Drama” but school of music doesn’t…The Juilliard School is conservatory including Dance and Drama. Manhattan School of Music doesn’t have Dance (but Theater now).

Okay, so maybe there really isn’t a big difference. We don’t really care one way or another, but just felt a bit stupid not knowing the difference. MSM is a school of music. Juilliard is a conservatory. Neither have an attached university. Oberlin and Lawrence are Conservatories. Indiana and Eastman are schools of music. All have attached universities. So the presence or non-presence of a University or College doesn’t seem to be the deciding factor in what one calls oneself. Maybe it does have something to do with how they are run. They all seem to offer BMus… Just something trivial to focus on so I don’t have to focus on other things… Thank you so much everyone!!!

Btw…IU Jacobs School of Music is a Conservatory.

I think that line says it all.

And it does have a ballet program in the conservatory so maybe just maybe dance matters to the name…but probably not the musician.

Oy! Semantics!

EXACTLY !!!

I am really glad this was brought up. Most people on this forum seem to refer to freestanding conservatories when they use the term “conservatory” and that leaves out conservatories that are part of colleges and universities . As in “My son is very clear that he does not want to apply to a conservatory” and then his list includes Oberlin and Bard!!

I don’t think there is any difference, honestly. It seems that in general the smaller LAC’s with BM Programs are more likely to use “conservatory” but that does not apply to all (Peabody for instance). And Schools of Music may more likely be associated with a larger university that has “School of Arts and Sciences” Or “School of LIberal Arts” and “School of Engineering” etc. In other words, large enough to be divided up into separate schools for areas of study, including music. There are exceptions to that of course since some smaller schools may use the term.

All of these programs, regardless of terminology, offer a BM program and all of them will have 1/4-1/3 classes that are not music. Including freestanding conservatories. The number of non-music classes may be the same along the whole spectrum but BM programs associated with colleges and universities, whether conservatory or school of music, may also offer more choices, and also opportunities to live and work with non-music students.

I think people need to realize the term “conservatory” is NOT just freestanding conservatories. Oberlin, Bard, Ithaca, Lawrence, Peabody and many others are examples of school-affiliated conservatories.

Freestanding conservatories generally don’t offer BA degrees in music. If you look at other schools there may be many different areas of study within music, and BM, BA, and other options. Music Ed tends not to be offered at freestanding conservatories as much. Universities often have music industry, audio production, etc. There are exceptions to everything I am writing. For instance, Berklee is a freestanding conservatory but so large that its offerings are more extensive and diverse.

Manhattan School of Music is most definitely a conservatory!

Some freestanding conservatories also have some or all of: film, dance, visual arts or writing. These areas of study and collaboration are also, of course, part of a university setting and many LAC’s.

I would add the term “Music Department.” This term can also be used for a variety of programs but I associate it mainly with colleges and universities that offer a BA in Music, where music is an academic subject in other words. There are definitely exceptions to this however.

Bottom line is look at websites and curriculum details, degrees offered and look beyond what terminology is used!

Great way to look at things, @compmom . Look at the curriculum, not the name or the buildings attached to it.

Speaking of looking at the curriculum …that is the route we decided to take with our child. Any thoughts to share on singer/songwriter majors? My D will be headed to Belmont in Nashville and got into this specific program at Curb.