Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis Institute of Music

Imagine a conservatory that offers unrivalled live performance opportunities, intensive training from leading musicians, and commitment to a full education - all for free.

That's what Mary Louise Curtis Bok did when she first conceived Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music in 1924. Her goal, to which Curtis continues to aspire eight decades later, was 'to train exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists on the highest professional level'.

Making a $12.5m endowment, she set several unusual principles: for example, that studies should be for an open-ended period and that a small annual enrolment would be beneficial to everyone. Bok's other key stipulation was that admission be based on merit alone, which translates today - as it always has - into full tuition scholarships.

Now a world-renowned center of excellence, Curtis holds firm on the belief that students 'learn most by doing'. This translates into over 100 concerts a year, including orchestral performances, operas, and solo and chamber music recitals - many of which are broadcast locally on television and radio.

Curtis' current president Roberto Díaz was appointed in early 2006 following a worldwide search and unanimous board vote. He was the Philadelphia Orchestra's principal viola for 10 years and holds a distinguished resume featuring numerous awards including prizes at the Naumburg and Munich international viola competitions.

'I was also accepted to the Juilliard School, but for me the choice was very clear'

'We will give students everything they need so they can focus on studies, not waiting tables,' says Díaz, referring to the institute's merit-based entry policy. Curtis is the only major conservatory of its kind to offer full tuition scholarships, ensuring that competition for places is fierce.

'I was also accepted to the Juilliard School, but for me the choice was very clear,' says 24-year-old baritone Jonathan Beyer, from Orland Park, Illinois. 'Curtis is so unique in its free tuition policy.'

The intake is based on the musicians needed for one symphony orchestra, a small opera department and select piano, organ, harpsichord, composition and conducting programs. Only five per cent of applicants meet the institute's strict criteria - reportedly the lowest acceptance rate of any college or university in the world. Annual enrolment is in the region of 165 to 170 students on average. 'The numbers are not set in stone,' says Díaz. 'We can take more if we want or if applicants are talented enough.'

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