Our Mission

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

The world needs music now more than ever. At Longy, we prepare students to become exceptional musicians who can engage new audiences; teach anyone, anywhere; and use artistry to change lives in communities around the world.

Longy is a degree-granting conservatory in Cambridge, MA with an additional campus in Los Angeles, CA. We offer a full spectrum of performance, composition, and teaching programs, including a new Master of Music in Music Education (Cambridge) and a Master of Arts in Teaching (Los Angeles), the nation’s first one-year, El Sistema-inspired degree programs.

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.

We value:

• The transformational power of music
• The joy of making and sharing music with others
• The art of teaching
• Honest, ongoing assessment
• Respect for the individual
• A diverse and supportive community
• Dynamic interaction with the larger world
• Creative thought and innovation
• The freedom to explore
• Advocacy for our art