Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music, located in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, occupies a complex of historic mansions and modern facilities in the city center. Founded in 1924 by Mary Louise Curtis Bok, Curtis maintains a highly selective admissions process and provides full-tuition scholarships to all admitted students. The conservatory offers programs in instrumental performance, opera, composition, and conducting, with students receiving extensive individual instruction and performance opportunities through partnerships with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, and other professional ensembles. Curtis houses its students in several historic buildings adjacent to the main campus, creating a residential learning environment where students live and practice alongside faculty members. The institution's notable alumni include composers Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein, as well as numerous principal musicians in major American orchestras.