The Conservatorio Nacional Carlos Lopez Buchardo is a public music conservatory in Buenos Aires, Argentina, founded in 1924 by composer Carlos Lopez Buchardo. It operates as the Departamento de Artes Musicales y Sonoras within the Universidad Nacional de las Artes (UNA) and offers tuition-free higher education in classical performance, tango, Argentine folk music, composition, and conducting.
How the Conservatorio Nacional Works
The conservatory is part of Argentina's public university system, which means there are no tuition fees for Argentine citizens or international students. The school offers programs structured around the Argentine academic framework:
- Pre-university level (Ciclo Basico and FOBA): Foundational music training covering theory, ear training, and initial instrument study.
- University level (TAP - Trayecto Artistico Profesional): Advanced performance training leading to a professional qualification equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
- Specialization programs: Post-graduate study in specific areas like composition, conducting, or music technology.
Admission requires passing an entrance exam that tests musical aptitude, theory knowledge, and basic performance ability. The school accepts students of various ages, making it accessible to both young musicians and adult learners pursuing music as a second career.
Because it is a public institution in Argentina, the school operates with limited resources compared to well-funded European or American conservatories. Facilities and equipment may not match those of private institutions, but the quality of instruction and the depth of the musical tradition (particularly in tango and Argentine folk music) are exceptional.
Programs Offered
The conservatory offers training in a distinctive mix of European classical traditions and Argentine musical forms:
- Classical performance: Piano, strings, winds, brass, guitar, voice
- Tango: Performance, arrangement, and history of Argentine tango music
- Argentine folk music: Traditional folk instruments and regional styles
- Composition: Classical and contemporary composition
- Conducting: Orchestral and choral
- Music education: Teacher training for music educators
- Sound arts: Audio technology and sound design
- Musicology: Academic study of music history and theory
Real-World Example
An Argentine student interested in studying tango piano applies to the conservatory's entrance exam. They demonstrate basic piano proficiency, pass a theory test, and show musical aptitude. Once admitted, they pay zero tuition for the entire duration of their program. A typical TAP program lasts 4 to 5 years. The student's only costs are transportation, living expenses in Buenos Aires, and study materials.
An international student from elsewhere in Latin America can also apply. Argentina's public universities do not charge tuition to international students either, making this one of the most affordable music education options in the world. The main barrier is language: all instruction is in Spanish, and the student must relocate to Buenos Aires.
Notable Alumni
The conservatory has produced many of Argentina's most important musicians:
- Alberto Ginastera (1916 to 1983): Argentina's most prominent 20th-century composer. Studied cello, piano, composition, and conducting at the conservatory. Composed operas including "Bomarzo" and "Don Rodrigo." His Piano Concerto No. 1 was adapted by Emerson, Lake and Palmer on their album "Brain Salad Surgery." Served as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Musical Sciences at the Catholic University of Argentina from 1959 to 1964.
- Astor Piazzolla (1921 to 1992): Revolutionized tango music by blending it with jazz and classical forms. Studied privately in Buenos Aires and with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Though he did not formally graduate from the conservatory, the institution is closely tied to the tango tradition he transformed. His "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires" remains one of the most performed tango-classical fusion works worldwide.
- Nilda Urquiza: Classical guitarist who studied at the conservatory under Maria Luisa Anido, one of Argentina's most celebrated guitarists. Graduated as a music teacher specializing in guitar.
- Monica Cosachov (born 1946): Harpsichordist, pianist, and composer. Studied composition, piano, and harpsichord at the conservatory. Later studied at the Yehudi Menuhin International Academy and the Academy Chigiana in Italy. Currently serves as director of the Interdisciplinary School of Arts.
- Guillermo Jorge Zalcman: Conductor, composer, and educator. Graduated from the conservatory in 1981 as a professor. Directed the Orquesta Estudiantil de Buenos Aires and taught at the conservatory (UNA). Served as president of the Argentine Association of Composers. Died in 2021.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a musician in Latin America, or if you are willing to relocate and learn Spanish, the Conservatorio Nacional offers something almost no other music school in the world provides: free tuition at the university level with specialized training in tango and Argentine folk music.
The school's tango program is particularly notable. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango, and studying the genre in its cultural context gives you access to a living tradition you cannot find anywhere else. If you are a classical musician, the free tuition model lets you graduate without student debt, which is rare in today's music education environment.
Keep in mind that Argentina's economic situation can affect facilities and scheduling. The quality of instruction remains high, but you may need to supplement with private lessons or external resources for certain technical skills. Read our guide on how to learn music theory without formal training for complementary self-study materials.
Browse more options in our music schools directory, or look for scholarships in our music scholarships directory. If you are planning a music career alongside formal study, read our guide on building a music career while working a full-time job.
Program Basics
Audition Requirements
Admission requires passing an entrance exam covering:
- Musical aptitude test: Ear training, rhythm recognition, and sight-reading
- Theory knowledge: Basic music theory including scales, intervals, and chords
- Performance audition: Demonstration of basic proficiency on your primary instrument or voice
The school accepts students of various ages. Both young musicians and adult learners pursuing music as a second career can apply.
Tuition
Tuition is free for all students, including international students. Argentina's public university system does not charge tuition fees. Students are responsible for:
- Transportation within Buenos Aires
- Living expenses (housing, food)
- Study materials (scores, method books)
- Instrument maintenance
Degree Programs
The conservatory offers programs structured around the Argentine academic framework:
- Pre-university level (Ciclo Basico and FOBA): Foundational music training. Theory, ear training, and initial instrument study. Duration: 2 to 3 years.
- University level (TAP - Trayecto Artistico Profesional): Advanced performance training. Equivalent to a bachelor's degree. Duration: 4 to 5 years.
- Specialization programs: Post-graduate study in composition, conducting, or music technology.
- Licenciatura (Bachelor's degree): Available through UNA in Arts Music and Sound.
Location
The conservatory is located at Avenida Cordoba 2445, Recoleta, Buenos Aires. The building is known as the Palacio Rocca. The school has been at this location since 1982.
Language of Instruction
All instruction is in Spanish. International students must be proficient in Spanish before applying. No English-language programs are available.
Compare with Similar Music Schools
- Conservatorio di Milano - Italian conservatory with strong classical tradition
- Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Madrid - Spain's national conservatory
- Sibelius Academy - Finland's premier music institution
- Conservatoire de Paris - France's historic conservatory
- Cairo Conservatoire - Middle East's leading conservatory
- Full Music Schools Directory - Browse music schools worldwide
Related Resources
- Music Schools Directory - Browse music schools worldwide
- Music Scholarships Directory - Find funding for your studies
- How to Learn Music Theory Without Formal Training
- Building a Music Career While Working a Full-Time Job
- Conservatorio di Milano - Compare with another conservatory with strong classical tradition
