Mannes School of Music

Mannes School of Music is a conservatory within The New School in New York City, founded in 1916 by violinist David Mannes (concertmaster of the New York Symphony Orchestra) and his wife Clara Damrosch Mannes. Now part of the College of Performing Arts alongside the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and the School of Drama, Mannes offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in classical performance, composition, and conducting. The school is known for its Techniques of Music program, which built its reputation as the American home of Schenkerian theory. Mannes enrolls approximately 1,450 students across the College of Performing Arts (including Mannes Prep).

Programs and Degrees

Mannes offers the following degree programs:

Undergraduate:

• Bachelor of Music (BM): Four-year degree in performance (orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar), composition, or conducting. The curriculum centers on private lessons, ensemble experiences, master classes, and the Techniques of Music program (theory and aural skills).
• Bachelor's-Master's Program: Undergraduate students can combine their BM with an MA in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship, graduating with both degrees in five years.

Graduate:

• Master of Music (MM): Tuition of $29,363 per semester (2026-27) for programs in performance, composition, and conducting.
• Professional Studies Diploma: Tuition of $20,813 per semester (2026-27). A post-master's program for advanced performers.
• MA in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship: For students interested in the business side of music.

Mannes has expanded its curriculum in the 2020s to include courses in music technology, improvisation ensemble, teaching artistry, arts journalism, film music composition, and creative entrepreneurship. The school offers an ESL+Music program for international students who need to improve their English language skills before beginning degree programs.

As part of the College of Performing Arts, Mannes students can take courses at the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and the School of Drama, enabling cross-disciplinary collaboration. The school also offers Mannes Prep for students ages 4 through 18.

Admissions and Tuition

Undergraduate applicants apply through the Common Application. Graduate applicants apply through the New School Online Application. All applicants must submit prescreening materials and attend a live audition.

Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year:

Undergraduate (College of Performing Arts):

• Full-time tuition: $31,174 per semester ($62,348 per year)
• Full-time credit range: 12 to 18 credits
• Per-credit tuition: $2,598

Graduate (Mannes School of Music):

• MM full-time tuition: $29,363 per semester ($58,726 per year)
• Professional Studies Diploma: $20,813 per semester ($41,626 per year)

More than 85 percent of students receive institutional aid from The New School. In the 2024-25 academic year, the university distributed over $151 million in institutional aid. Students can also receive federal and external grants, scholarships, and federal work-study.

Real-World Example

A pianist accepted into the BM program for fall 2026 faces $62,348 in annual tuition. If the student receives a New School scholarship covering 40 percent of tuition ($24,939), net tuition drops to $37,409 per year. Over four years, the student pays approximately $149,636 in tuition. Living expenses in New York City add approximately $20,000 to $25,000 per year. The student studies with faculty from Mannes' piano department, performs at venues throughout NYC, and can cross-register for courses at the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. The student also has access to internships with major arts organizations across the city.

Notable alumni include songwriter Burt Bacharach, pianists Richard Goode and Murray Perahia, jazz pianist Bill Evans, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, conductor Semyon Bychkov, conductor JoAnn Falletta, and Pulitzer Prize-winning arts journalist Tim Page.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Mannes is the right choice if you want classical conservatory training in New York City with the option to explore jazz, drama, and arts management. The College of Performing Arts structure lets you take courses across three schools, which is unusual for a traditional conservatory. The Techniques of Music program remains one of the strongest theory programs in the country, rooted in the Schenkerian tradition established by Hans Weisse and Felix Salzer in the 1930s.

The NYC location is a major advantage. You have access to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, Broadway, and hundreds of performance venues. The school's internship program connects students with major arts organizations across the city.

The cost is significant. At $62,348 per year for undergraduates, Mannes is expensive, though the 85 percent aid rate means most students pay less than sticker price. NYC living costs add substantially to the total. You will need to budget carefully or secure strong scholarship support.

Mannes has a smaller profile than Juilliard or Manhattan School of Music, but its cross-disciplinary approach and NYC location make it a strong option for musicians who want to build skills beyond pure performance. The expanded curriculum in music technology, improvisation, and creative entrepreneurship reflects a deliberate shift toward preparing graduates for the modern music industry, not just traditional orchestra and opera careers.

Visit the official Mannes website for full audition requirements and program details.

Potential Drawbacks

• High cost: $62,348 per year in tuition, plus NYC living expenses that can exceed $25,000 annually.
• Smaller profile: Less name recognition than Juilliard or Manhattan School of Music, which can matter in audition settings.
• Shared resources: Being part of the College of Performing Arts means sharing facilities and faculty attention across three schools.
• Limited campus: Mannes is housed in Arnhold Hall in the West Village. Facilities are adequate but not as expansive as standalone conservatory campuses.

Related Resources

• Music Schools Directory - Compare Mannes with other music schools
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project streaming revenue while studying
• Publishing Royalty Split Calculator - Calculate splits for co-writing sessions
• How to Network in the Music Industry - Networking strategies for NYC-based musicians