Boston Conservatory Music Department collection, 1920-2017

Over the life of the Conservatory, the Music Department has grown and adjusted its focus of musical instruction and offered various majors. At its founding, the school was focused on instrumental instruction, particularly violin and piano. During the reorganization led by Agide Jacchia in the 1920s, the vocal program was expanded, including operatic instruction. For much of the early-mid 20th century, instruction largely focused on instrument and vocal instruction, with some minor inclusion of pedagogy courses. In the 1950s and 60s, the department began offering degrees in composition and music education, the latter of which became rather well established. The conservatory also produced successful jazz studies/instruction and guitar performance programs, but they were discontinued in the 1980s/90s.

Today, the Music Department remains focused on instrumental instruction, vocal and operatic instruction, composition, music history and theory, and music education. Degrees are offered in graduate, undergraduate, and graduate performance diplomas. In addition to core music classes, students take part in private instruction, chamber music performance, large ensemble performance and mainstage productions, including operas.