History

The Boston Conservatory was founded in 1867 by Julius Eichberg to serve as both a professional training academy and community music school. Eichberg, a gifted violinist and composer, brought with him the spirit and musical practices flourishing in the great conservatories of Brussels, Paris, Prague, London, and Vienna—but with a difference. From the very start, the Conservatory broke new ground by opening its doors to women and African Americans, people with few professional opportunities in classical music at the time.

The Conservatory is also credited with several other important “firsts.” After merging with the National Associated Studios of Music at the start of the 20th century, The Boston Conservatory expanded its offerings in several innovative ways. The Conservatory incorporated dance and theater training into its curriculum, created the first “grand opera” department in the United States, and developed the first professional training program in dance to offer equal emphasis on European classical ballet and the uniquely American forms of modern dance.

Today, The Boston Conservatory is an independent private college with fully accredited programs in music, dance, and theater. Our student and faculty performances are a consistent and valued part of Boston's cultural life. Our community service program allows us to reach out beyond our walls to various constituencies across the city. Our success is visible both in the learning environment, and in the professional accomplishments of our graduates.