Many aspiring musicians find themselves at a crossroads when choosing their educational path.
Some are drawn to large universities with expansive student bodies, while others gravitate towards specialized conservatories that offer intense, focused musical training.
However, there’s a third option that combines elements of both: liberal arts colleges with strong music programs. These institutions offer a unique blend of comprehensive academic study and high-quality musical education.
They provide the intellectual breadth of a university with the intimate, focused atmosphere often associated with conservatories. This combination can be ideal for students seeking a well-rounded education alongside their musical pursuits.
While conservatories like Juilliard or universities like Indiana are often the first to come to mind when thinking of top music schools, liberal arts colleges house some of the nation’s most exceptional music programs.
These schools excel in various musical disciplines, from music education and music production to classical and jazz performance.
What sets liberal arts colleges apart is their strong sense of community, fostered by a broader academic culture that extends beyond the arts.
This environment encourages musicians to develop not just as artists, but as well-rounded individuals.
For this article, we’ve focused on schools with total enrollments typically between 1,500 and 3,000 students, offering majors outside of music and the performing arts.
In the following list, we present 10 of the best liberal arts colleges offering outstanding music programs.
Each of these schools provides an approach to music education within a greater academic context, offering students the best of both worlds.
Bard College Conservatory of Music
Bard College Conservatory of Music stands out as a unique and forward-thinking institution in the landscape of liberal arts music education.
One of Bard’s distinguishing features is its partnership with the American Symphony Orchestra.
Each summer, the orchestra performs at the impressive Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a hub for creativity and performance.
The school offers attractive scholarship opportunities. These awards can cover up to full tuition and include mentorship with American Symphony Orchestra members, providing invaluable professional connections.
Bard faculty includes renowned artists like George Tsontakis, the school’s “Distinguished Composer In-Residence” whose orchestral work has been nominated for a Grammy award.
One unique feature of Bard’s music program is its Summerscape Festival, an annual 8-week event with opera, dance, film, and other arts disciplines.
Bard has a commitment to contemporary music, and this focus is exemplified by Contemporaneous, a successful new music ensemble founded by former Bard students. Their work in commissioning and performing living composers’ music demonstrates the school’s impact on the contemporary classical scene.
The school’s ethos is shaped by its president, Leon Botstein, whose commitment to the arts and education has guided Bard through challenging times. His leadership has created an environment where artistic exploration is encouraged and supported.
Shenandoah University Conservatory of Music
With an enrollment of around 3,600 students, Shenandoah provides an intimate, relatively smaller learning environment while offering some of the strongest music programs in any liberal arts college.
The conservatory’s breadth of offerings is particularly impressive.
With around 60 distinct degrees, Shenandoah covers traditional areas like Jazz and classical performance as well as cutting-edge programs in Musical Theatre, Performing Arts Leadership and Management, Dance, and Music Production.
One of Shenandoah’s standout initiatives is the American Icons program. This unique series brings renowned musicians to campus for performances and discussions; some “Icons” who have appeared at the school include trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and opera singer Denyce Graves.
Shenandoah’s commitment to excellence is evident in its facilities.
In 2015, the school acquired 96 Steinway pianos, earning it the prestigious designation of an All-Steinway School – a distinction shared by a small number of conservatories worldwide..
The faculty at Shenandoah is of exceptional caliber. John O’Conor, Chair of the Keyboard Division, is a globally acclaimed pianist who has performed with world-class orchestras. His presence on the faculty speaks volumes about the level of instruction available to students.
Academically, Shenandoah maintains high standards, with an average incoming student GPA of 3.4. This indicates a student body that is both musically talented and academically strong.
Oberlin College Conservatory of Music
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music stands as a top institution for musicians who wish to find high-quality music training within a liberal arts setting.
What sets Oberlin apart is its focus on undergraduate education.
While a handful of graduate programs exist at the school, the majority of opportunities are tailored for undergrads. This means you won’t be competing with graduate students for prime roles or seats in school ensembles.
Oberlin offers advantages for students interested in balancing both academics with musical passions. The school’s liberal arts curriculum encourages double majoring and intellectual exploration, creating an environment where well-rounded artists can develop.
The faculty at Oberlin is noteworthy. Darrett Adkins, a renowned cellist who holds a dual faculty appointment with Juilliard, mentors a select group of students each year.
Peter Slowik, regarded as one of the nation’s top viola professors, has guided students to success in prestigious competitions.
Jazz enthusiasts will find a strong program. The jazz faculty includes Jamey Haddad, an accomplished percussion artist, and Gary Bartz, a saxophonist who’s played with notable figures like Miles Davis. Bartz was recently named a 2024 “Jazz Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Oberlin’s location may not suit everyone. It’s situated away from major cultural hubs like Chicago or New York, cities many music students prefer.
However, if your priority is receiving high-quality music education within a liberal arts framework, Oberlin presents a compelling option.
In my assessment, Oberlin Conservatory of Music offers a strong combination of musical training, academic opportunity, and individualized attention. It’s a place where young musicians can develop their skills and explore their individuality & potential.
Lawrence University Conservatory of Music
Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music offers a distinctive approach to musical education within a liberal arts framework.
With its exclusive focus on undergraduate studies, the program boasts an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 6:1, ensuring personalized attention and ample performance opportunities for its 350 students.
A standout feature of Lawrence’s program is Dean Brian Pertl’s forward-thinking vision for developing 21st-century musicians.
His philosophy emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovative performance practices, creative thinking, and using music as a catalyst for cultural change. This progressive outlook helps shape students into unique, adaptable artists ready for the evolving landscape of the performing arts.
Academically, Lawrence sets a high bar.
The school encourages a well-rounded education, with nearly half of its music students opting to double major in their 5-year program.
This commitment to interdisciplinary study reflects Lawrence’s belief in nurturing not just musicians, but well-rounded artistic citizens.
The conservatory regularly hosts renowned artists from both classical and jazz spheres. Visiting artists in 2024 include vocalist René Marie and trumpet player Sean Jones.
Lawrence’s commitment to both traditional and unconventional approaches to music education is particularly noteworthy.
Gettysburg University Sunderman Conservatory of Music
The Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College, though relatively young, has quickly established itself as a noteworthy institution in the musical landscape.
Founded in 2005 thanks to a generous $16 million gift from 1919 Gettysburg alum William F. Sunderman, the conservatory has made significant strides in its short history.
Over the past two decades, Gettysburg has built a strong reputation in music education. A key factor in this rapid ascent is the caliber of its faculty.
The conservatory boasts accomplished professionals across various musical disciplines. Israeli composer Avner Dorman, known for his innovative, contemporary classical music, brings international flair to the composition department.
John Cradler, former principal tubist with “The President’s Own” Marine Band, offers students insights from his prestigious music career.
Jazz pianist Eric Byrd, a Grammy Award voter who has shared the stage with legends like Chick Corea, Randy Brecker, and Wynton Marsalis, brings real-world jazz experience to the classroom.
Gettysburg College itself is a selective institution, consistently ranking among the top liberal arts colleges according to U.S. News & World Report.
This academic rigor extends to the Sunderman Conservatory, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education alongside their musical training.
One of the conservatory’s notable advantages is its location. Gettysburg’s proximity to major cultural centers offers students unique opportunities for exposure and networking.
Baltimore is just an hour away, Washington D.C. only 80 minutes, Philadelphia 2.5 hours, and even New York City is within reach at 4 hours.
St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College boasts a distinguished history in music education, with a legacy that spans over a century.
The St. Olaf Band, founded in 1906, made history as the first American college music ensemble to perform internationally.
This tradition of excellence continues today, with the band having completed successful tours in many countries, including Norway and Japan.
Also renowned is the St. Olaf Choir, a 75-voice ensemble that has garnered international acclaim.
Their impressive tour schedule has included performances in France, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and New York City.
A highlight of their achievements was a 2005 performance at the White House. With a discography of 27 choral music albums, the choir’s recorded legacy is a testament to its enduring quality.
Performance opportunities at St. Olaf are endless. The school is home to seven choirs, two jazz bands, two bands, and two orchestras.
Amazingly, 1/3rd of all students in the school, whether they are or are not music majors, are involved in making music at St. Olaf.
Luther College
Luther College’s music program stands out as a remarkable example of musical excellence in a liberal arts setting.
What’s particularly striking is the level of student engagement: a whopping 1/3rd of all students participate in at least one musical ensemble! (that number includes non-music majors).
This widespread involvement creates a vibrant musical culture permeating the entire campus.
The college’s ensembles are truly world-class, rivaling those of dedicated music conservatories.
Four of Luther’s premier groups – the Nordic Choir, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Jazz Orchestra – regularly embark on international tours.
These ensembles have graced stages in Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, and beyond. The Symphony Orchestra even enjoys a quadrennial residency in Vienna, a testament to the school’s commitment to giving its students unique experiences worldwide.
For a small liberal arts college, Luther’s musical offerings are impressive in both quantity and quality.
The school boasts five choirs, two concert bands, three orchestras, and two jazz ensembles. These performance opportunities cater to both the 300 or so music majors and the hundreds of non-major musicians who actively participate.
Luther’s alumni have found success in various musical pursuits.
Many graduates secure positions in music education, teaching at high schools, or conducting youth groups.
Others find themselves well-prepared for further study at prestigious institutions. Many have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at renowned conservatories and universities like Yale, Juilliard, Northwestern, and Eastman.
Ithaca College School of Music
Located in one of America’s most vibrant college towns, Ithaca College’s School of Music has earned its reputation with an impressive near-100% professional placement rate for Music Education graduates.
Ithaca’s musical offerings extend well beyond education. The James J. Whalen Center for Music serves as the school’s creative hub, featuring cutting-edge recording studios, spacious rehearsal halls, and a well-equipped computer lab.
Theatre enthusiasts take note: Ithaca’s Musical Theatre program ranks among the nation’s finest; with publications like Backstage giving kudos to the program.
Ithaca itself is a music lover’s paradise. The town pulses with musical energy, from the respected Cayuga Chamber Orchestra to the vibrant Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance held each July.
This combination of top-tier education and a lively musical scene makes Ithaca College School of Music a compelling choice. Students accepted here find themselves in an environment where academic rigor meets real-world opportunities.
In my view, Ithaca offers a unique blend of educational excellence and practical experience. Its track record of success, coupled with its ideal location, positions it as a standout option for aspiring musicians across various disciplines.
Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music
Baldwin Wallace Conservatory is a hidden gem music program tucked away in a liberal arts college.
The Musical Theatre program at Baldwin Wallace is particularly outstanding. Victoria Bussert, the department’s director, is highly respected in academic circles.
Performance programs across the board excel at Baldwin Wallace. The school’s impact is evident in the nearby Cleveland Orchestra, where several alumni, including trumpet players Michael Miller and Lyle Steelman, hold positions in this world-class ensemble.
Since 1932, Baldwin Wallace has honored J.S. Bach with an annual festival.
This event not only showcases conservatory talent but also involves musicians from across the college. The school’s dedication to Bach extends to the Riemenschneider Bach Institute, a specialized library housing manuscripts and artifacts related to the composer.
The conservatory benefits from its proximity to Cleveland, just 20 minutes away. Many Cleveland Orchestra members teach at Baldwin Wallace, offering students access to top-tier instruction and a connection to a culturally diverse metropolis.
Occidental College
Occidental College, the only liberal arts college in Los Angeles, stands out for its embrace of modern musical trends and technologies alongside more traditional offerings.
One of Occidental’s unique features is its emphasis on music production.
Students concentrating in this area have access to professional-grade facilities, including a fully-equipped recording studio housed in the designed Choi Family Music Production Center, which was created in 2020.
This hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment prepares students for the realities of today’s music industry.
The college also offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in radio broadcasting through KOXY, the campus radio station. Here, students can try their hand at being DJs, developing skills in programming, presenting, and audio production.
Occidental’s Los Angeles location provides a significant advantage, allowing for valuable internship partnerships with major music industry players.
A standout opportunity is the college’s connection with the Grammy Museum, offering students insider access to one of the music world’s most prestigious institutions.
Also intriguing is Occidental’s popular music concentration, an offering still relatively rare in academic settings. This program allows students to engage critically and creatively with contemporary popular music, bridging the gap between academic study and current industry practices.
Despite its modern leanings, Occidental hasn’t abandoned traditional music education. The college continues to offer concentrations in composition, music theory, and instrumental performance, providing a well-rounded musical foundation.