Eastman School of Music facts for kids
Eastman at night
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| Type | Private music school |
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| Established | 1921 |
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Parent institution
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University of Rochester |
| Dean | Jamal Rossi |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Urban |
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The Eastman School of Music is a famous music school that is part of the University of Rochester. It is a private university located in Rochester, New York, in the United States. A kind businessman and inventor named George Eastman started the school in 1921.
Eastman offers many different music programs. Students can earn degrees like the Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA). They can also get special awards like a "Performer's Certificate" or "Artist's Diploma" if they are really good at performing. In 2015, over 900 students were studying at Eastman. About 25% of these students came from other countries. Many students want to study here; in 2011, only about 13% of applicants were accepted. The school also has a program for younger students and adults, where about 1,000 people learn music.
Contents
What is the History of the Eastman School?
The Eastman School of Music has a rich history with several important leaders.
Who Were the First Directors?
The first director of the school was Alfred Klingenberg, a talented pianist from Norway. He led the school from 1921 to 1923. After him, a famous composer named Howard Hanson became the director in 1924. He stayed for 40 years until 1964. Hanson helped create the first Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the United States. This was a big step for music education!
Who Led Eastman After Howard Hanson?
After Hanson retired, a conductor named Walter Hendl took over from 1964 to 1972. Then, a pianist and music expert named Robert Freeman became director, serving from 1973 to 1996. Later, James Undercofler led the school until 2006. Today, Jamal Rossi is the Dean of the Eastman School.
What is the Eastman Campus Like?
The Eastman School is located in downtown Rochester, New York. It uses parts of five different buildings. The main building has the large Eastman Theatre, Kilbourn Hall, Hatch Recital Hall, and many offices for teachers.
Eastman Theatre: A Grand Performance Hall
The Eastman Theatre first opened in 1922. It was a place for music, dance, and even silent movies with live music. Today, it is a huge concert hall with 3,094 seats. It is where Eastman's biggest music groups perform, like orchestras and jazz bands. The Eastman Opera Theatre also puts on opera shows here every spring. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra also performs in this theater. In 2010, the theater was renamed "Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre" after a large donation from Eastman Kodak Inc.
Sibley Music Library: A Huge Collection
The Sibley Music Library is across the street from the main hall. It is the biggest music library in North America! Hiram Watson Sibley started this library in 1904. He used money he earned as the first president of Western Union. The library moved to its current spot in 1989. It has almost 750,000 items, from old books from the 11th century to new music and recordings. One of its most special items is the original notes for "La Mer" by the famous composer Debussy.
Student Living Center: Where Students Live
The Student Living Center is the dormitory for students at Eastman. It opened in 1991. This building has four floors and a tall tower around a nice courtyard. It also has its own dining hall. Most undergraduate students live here while they study music.
What Can You Study at Eastman?
The Eastman School offers many different types of music degrees. Students can get a Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Music (MM), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA). These degrees cover many different areas of music.
The school also gives out a "Performer's Certificate" or "Artist's Diploma." These are for students who show amazing talent in performing music. The Institute for Music Leadership, started in 2001, helps students learn skills for careers in music. In 2018, they even created a Master of Arts degree in Music Leadership. This helps musicians learn how to lead music groups and organizations.
Who are Some Famous People from Eastman?
Many talented musicians and artists have studied or taught at the Eastman School of Music.
Famous Alumni
Some famous people who went to Eastman include:
- Singer Renée Fleming
- Drummer Steve Gadd
- Bassist Tony Levin
- Trumpeter Chuck Mangione
- Composer Maria Schneider
Current Faculty
Eastman also has many great musicians and teachers on its staff, such as the Ying Quartet and Paul O'Dette.
See also
In Spanish: Escuela de Música Eastman para niños
- List of concert halls
