Our Mission:

Longy School of Music of Bard College prepares musicians to make a difference in the world.

Because the world needs music now more than ever, Longy has reimagined conservatory education. We are leaders in centering music as social change, expanding the world’s understanding of what a life in music can mean. We prepare you to engage new audiences, teach anyone, anywhere — and make a difference with your music.

Longy is a degree-granting conservatory in Cambridge, MA. We offer a full spectrum of performance, composition, and teaching programs, including a Master of Music in Music Education.

We’ve turned graduate education on its head with our innovative Catalyst Curriculum, which pairs musical excellence with the skills needed to become a professional musician in a rapidly changing musical landscape. At Longy, you will discover many paths to make a meaningful life in music. Join us and become the musician the world needs you to be.

Our Values:

A Culture of Belonging
Our school is a home that welcomes all comers. In classrooms, studios, and workspaces, every person should feel seen, heard, and supported in their growth as artists and leaders. This culture of belonging is at the heart of our mission and shapes how we learn, create, and engage with one another.

Student Voices
We create consistent platforms for students to share their perspectives, influence decision-making, and shape the culture of Longy. Their voices directly guide our work around belonging and inspire new approaches to curriculum, programming, and policy.

Student Support
We ensure that advising, wellness services, financial aid, and career coaching are welcoming, accessible, and responsive to individual needs. Our approach affirms the experiences of students from underserved communities and equips them to thrive academically, artistically, and personally.

Artistic Programming
We design artistic events where all community members see themselves reflected on stage and in the repertoire. Our artistic programming challenges conventions, amplifies overlooked voices, and invites audiences into a shared space of curiosity and connection.

Repertoire and Curriculum
At least 50% of all works studied and performed at Longy will be by composers historically underrepresented at US conservatories. Every semester, a variety of courses are offered that center non-Classical, non-European content. Our students engage with a wide spectrum of artistry that expands their creative and cultural horizons.

Admissions
Longy’s distinctive admissions process recognizes a wide range of student strengths—musical skill, creativity, leadership, resilience, and community engagement—alongside traditional audition results. Our recruitment efforts reach underserved communities, using clear, welcoming communication and highly personal support throughout the application process.

Enrollment
We strive to enroll and support a student body that reflects the breadth of human experience. Through intentional recruitment, partnerships, and scholarship strategies, we aim to increase enrollment with an eye towards representation and welcoming students of all backgrounds.

Partnerships
We foster strong collaborations with organizations that share our commitment to artistic activism, access, and community impact. Partners may include music programs highlighting underrepresented voices, schools promoting inclusive teaching, healthcare organizations, refugee networks, and other community organizations that share our core values.

Faculty and Staff Recruitment
We have developed hiring practices that ensure diverse candidate pools and prioritize those who bring excellence in artistry, passionate leadership, and a commitment to our mission. Our faculty and staff should reflect the world we aspire to serve.

Faculty and Staff Working Environment
We strive to cultivate a workplace where every faculty and staff member feels respected, valued, and supported in their growth. Collaboration is at the center of how we work, and we turn to restorative practices, including listening, accountability, and repair, when challenges arise. Longy is committed to creating professional pathways, mentorship, and learning opportunities that strengthen individual potential and enrich our shared community.

Career Coaching
Our Career Coaching program ensures that every student—regardless of background, identity, or prior access to resources—can connect their artistic “why” to a sustainable professional life. We use inclusive coaching methods that honor each student’s lived experience, linking coursework, performance, and community engagement to multifaceted career pathways.

Music as a Healing Art
We aspire to be a leader in therapeutic music training that meets people where they are, honoring the cultural and personal contexts of every listener. Our musicians will bring the healing power of music to settings that need it most—restoring dignity, building connections, and improving quality of care.

Culturally Responsive Teaching
We will scale our teacher education programs to have a global impact, transforming learning environments through culturally responsive, student-centered instruction. Our graduates will be leaders in expanding access to music for future generations.

Library Collection
The library prioritizes expanding its holdings of musical scores, recordings, and scholarly resources by underrepresented composers and creators. Our collections offer students, faculty, staff, and alumni rich opportunities to explore a broader spectrum of musical voices, traditions, and histories.

Registrar’s Office
Course schedules, prerequisites, and delivery formats are designed and reviewed to eliminate barriers, ensuring flexibility, recognition of cultural observances, and accessibility for students with varied needs and circumstances.

Professional Development
We will provide regular, ongoing professional development for faculty, staff, and students to strengthen skills in culturally responsive teaching, inclusive artistry, and equitable leadership.