The Eastman School of Music is a professional music school within the University of Rochester, founded in 1921 by George Eastman (founder of Kodak). Located in Rochester, New York, Eastman offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and PhD programs across performance, composition, music education, jazz studies, musicology, and conducting. The acceptance rate is approximately 43 percent, making it selective but more accessible than Curtis or Juilliard. Nearly 100 percent of students receive merit scholarships, with the school awarding over $19 million annually.
Here is an inside look at Eastman from faculty member Ben Baker, who teaches music theory and discusses what makes the school distinct:
Programs and Degrees
Eastman offers degrees across the following areas:
Performance (Classical): Orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar, harp, and organ. Students perform in the Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles.
Jazz Studies: Undergraduate and graduate programs in jazz performance and composition. Faculty includes active jazz performers and recording artists.
Composition: BM, MM, and DMA programs in contemporary classical composition. Students have regular opportunities for performances of their works by Eastman ensembles.
Music Education: Undergraduate and graduate programs leading to K-12 teaching certification. The FORTE program provides a ninth semester of tuition-free enrollment for selected music education majors completing their student teaching experience.
Musicology and Music Theory: MA and PhD programs for students pursuing academic and scholarly careers.
Conducting: MM and DMA programs in orchestral and choral conducting.
Historical Performance: Programs for students specializing in period instruments and historical performance practice.
Eastman also offers a Dual Degree Program with the University of Rochester's River Campus, allowing students to earn a BM from Eastman and a BA or BS from the College in five years. The Take Five Scholars Program provides an additional tuition-free term for students pursuing academic interests outside their major.
Admissions and Tuition
The application deadline for fall 2026 is December 1, 2025. The application fee is $100. All applicants must submit prescreening materials by this date. Eastman does not offer early decision or early action.
Audition Requirements by Instrument
Prescreening recordings are required for most programs. Each movement or excerpt must be recorded as a separate, unedited track. Accompaniment is not required for most instruments (with exceptions for voice and jazz). Here are examples for common instruments:
- Piano (undergraduate): A minimum 30-minute prescreening recording representing three different style periods, including an Allegro movement from a Classical sonata and one virtuoso etude by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Debussy, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Bartok, or Ligeti. Live audition must be performed from memory and includes a complete Bach work with fugue, a complete Classical sonata, a complete Romantic work, and a complete 20th or 21st century work.
- Voice (undergraduate): Three pieces in varying musical styles, in three different languages (one may be English). Non-native English speakers must perform one piece in English. Recordings must include accompaniment.
- Saxophone: A concerto or sonata from the standard repertoire (Creston, Desenclos, Glazunov, Ibert, or equivalent) plus two etudes of contrasting tempo. Live auditions include sight-reading and aural skills assessment.
- Composition: Portfolio of 3 to 5 works with at least two original compositions and a written explanation of how each piece was made.
Rochester audition dates for 2026 were Fridays in February (February 6, 13, and 20). A remote audition option is available for applicants who upload audition recordings by February 1. Applicants are encouraged to present repertoire by composers who have been traditionally underrepresented.
Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year:
- Tuition: $71,750
- Housing: $12,822
- Food: $8,506
- Orientation and First Year Program Fee: $392
- Activity Fee: $378
- Comprehensive Fee: $510
- Mandatory Health Fee: $1,104
- Total direct costs (domestic): $95,462
- Total direct costs (international): $99,970 (includes international student fee and health insurance)
Financial aid at Eastman is driven by merit (your relative ranking within the applicant pool) and informed by need. The admission process is need-blind for approximately 90 percent of decisions and can be need-aware when admitting from the waitlist. Nearly 100 percent of students receive merit scholarships. The FAFSA deadline is February 28 (school code 008124), and the CSS Profile deadline is also February 28 (school code 2224).
Tuition typically increases by about 4 percent per year.
Real-World Example
A cellist accepted into the BM program for fall 2026 faces $71,750 in tuition plus $23,328 in housing and food, bringing direct costs to $95,462. If the student receives a merit scholarship covering 50 percent of tuition ($35,875), net tuition drops to $35,875 per year. Over four years, the student pays $143,500 in tuition plus living expenses. The student performs in the Eastman Philharmonia, studies with faculty from the string department, and has access to the Sibley Music Library (the largest music library affiliated with a college or university in the United States).
Notable Alumni
Eastman has produced performers, composers, and conductors who have shaped American music across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres. Here are some of the most recognized alumni:
- Renée Fleming (MM '83): One of the most celebrated sopranos in the world. A four-time Grammy winner and recipient of the National Medal of Arts. She has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and venues worldwide. Her signature roles include Violetta in La traviata and the title role in Rusalka.
- Chuck Mangione (BM '63, MM '65): Jazz flugelhornist and composer whose 1977 hit "Feels So Good" reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy. He recorded over 30 albums and collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderley.
- Michael Tilson Thomas (BM '63, MM '65): Conductor and pianist who served as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1995 to 2020. Founder of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach. A 12-time Grammy winner.
- Christopher Rouse (MM '77, DMA '82): Pulitzer Prize-winning composer (1993) whose works have been performed by major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and Baltimore Symphony. He served as composer-in-residence at the New York Philharmonic.
- Ron Carter (BM '59): Jazz bassist who has appeared on over 2,500 recordings, making him one of the most recorded musicians in history. A member of the second great Miles Davis Quintet.
- Katherine Ciesinski (MM '81): Mezzo-soprano who has performed at major opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera and Paris Opera.
- David Maslanka (MM '68, DMA '71): Composer known for over 100 works including nine symphonies, widely performed by wind ensembles.
Renée Fleming Performing "Casta Diva" from Bellini's Norma
Fleming performs this bel canto aria in the Palaces of the Czars in Saint Petersburg. The video has over 9.6 million views on YouTube:
Chuck Mangione Performing "Feels So Good" Live (1979)
Mangione performs his signature hit live on "Nana's Journey Into Song" in 1979. The song became a jazz crossover phenomenon:
Michael Tilson Thomas Conducting Stravinsky's "Infernal Dance"
MTT conducts the San Francisco Symphony in the Infernal Dance from Stravinsky's Firebird suite at the BBC Proms in 2000:
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Eastman is the right choice if you want conservatory-level training within a university setting. The Dual Degree Program with the University of Rochester lets you combine a BM with a BA or BS in another field, which is useful if you want options beyond performing. The FORTE program for music education majors is a unique benefit, giving you a tuition-free semester for student teaching.
The cost is high. At $71,750 for 2026-27, Eastman is among the most expensive music schools in the country. However, nearly 100 percent of students receive merit scholarships, so the sticker price is not what most students pay. You will only know your actual cost after being admitted and receiving a financial aid package.
Rochester is a mid-sized city with a strong classical music scene (the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is based here) but limited opportunities in commercial music, film, or tech. If you want access to a major music industry market, consider schools in New York, Los Angeles, or Nashville.
The 43 percent acceptance rate makes Eastman more accessible than Curtis (4 percent) or Juilliard (7 percent), but you still need strong audition material. Prepare well in advance and consider attending a summer program or festival to study with Eastman faculty before applying.
Visit the official Eastman website for full audition requirements and program details.
Potential Drawbacks
- High cost: $71,750 tuition for 2026-27, with total direct costs approaching $100,000. You must rely on scholarships to make it affordable.
- Rochester location: Cold winters and limited commercial music industry compared to NYC, LA, or Nashville.
- Merit-based aid uncertainty: Your scholarship amount depends on your ranking within the applicant pool, which you cannot predict in advance.
- Not need-blind entirely: The process is need-aware for approximately 10 percent of decisions (waitlist admits).
Related Resources
- Music Schools Directory - Compare Eastman with other music schools
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project streaming revenue while studying
- Publishing Royalty Split Calculator - Calculate splits for co-writing sessions
- Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Career planning for conservatory graduates
