Manhattan School of Music is a private college located in Manhattan, New York surrounded by top institutions like Columbia University, Barnard College. The school has been developing standards in terms of excellent education in the area of music, for 100 years now. It is one of the world’s most premier conservatoires for classical music, jazz and musical theatre. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It offers a number of degrees, diplomas and certificates in the areas of classical and jazz performance, composition and musical theatre.

MSM’s faculty is composed of members of New York city’s top performing institutions. Over 700 performances are conducted every year by students and faculty including fully staged operas, orchestra, jazz concerts on-site and at Lincoln Center. Students willing to apply for admission to the Manhattan School of Music will be selected on the basis of an audition and entrance exam conducted side-by-side.

Manhattan School of Music Campus

Highlights

University Type Private
Campus Setting Urban
Acceptance Rate 45%
Annual Endowment 2.44 million USD
Annual Cost of Attendance 73,680 USD
Mode of Programs Full-time
Campus Housing Capacity 600
Financial Aid Grants/scholarships/loans/work-study
Graduation Rate 85%

Manhattan School of Music Campus

  • Manhattan School of Music is located at the west-side of Manhattan’s academic hub that shares its upper neighborhood with Barnard College, Columbia University, Columbia Teachers College, the International House, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and Union and Jewish theological seminaries.
  • There are eight performance halls, 22 classrooms, and 130 practice rooms. MSM students perform in more than a dozen music halls around the city. More than 700 concerts are held at campus concert halls per year.
  • The 20-story Andersen Hall residence hall is adjacent to the main building.

Manhattan School of Music Residence

  • MSM offers on-campus housing facilities in 20-storey Andersen Residence Hall adjacent to the main building.
  • The housing capacity of the hall is nearly 600. There are 79 practice rooms also.
  • There are three meal plans for on-campus students to choose from:
    • Gold: 5,515 USD
    • Silver: 3,860 USD
    • Bronze: 2,760 USD
  • A commuter meal plan that costs 288 USD is required for all students living off-campus. Students should choose their meal plan while completing their housing application.
  • Students need to submit a non-refundable 300 USD as a pre-payment for the housing selection procedure.

Manhattan School of Music Programs

  • Manhattan School of Music programs includes Classical Programs, Jazz Arts, Musical Theatre, Contemporary Performance, and Orchestral Performance.
  • MSM graduate programs offer a Master in Music and Dual degree in Music and Music Education. Students can choose from Classical programs and Jazz Arts for their Master’s majors. Also, a Master’s degree is offered in different areas of Contemporary and Orchestral Performance.
  • The one-year full-time Professional Studies Certificate program is designed for accomplished performers having a Master of Music, a Postgraduate Diploma, or the equivalent.

Manhattan School of Music Application Process

Where to Apply: MSM online portal
Application fee: 125 USD
Supporting Document:

  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Artistic Resume
  • Audition
  • Essay of about 500 words and Essay prompt
  • English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS).

Deadline:

Events Dates
Deadline to submit supplemental material- musical theatrical applicants January 15
Deadline to submit supplemental material- classical, jazz, contemporary performance, orchestral performance applicants February 1
Deadline for submitting financial aid materials February 15
Admission decisions released April 1
Graduate deadline to accept admission offer April 15
Undergraduate deadline to accept admission offer May 1

Manhattan School of Music Cost of Attendance

The chart below shows costs for one academic year i.e. nine months from September to May.

Types of Expenses Cost/Year (USD)
Tuition 48,280
General Student Fee 990
Meal Plan (Gold) 5,515
Housing (Double room) 10,790
Health Insurance 2,505
Books and Supplies 1,000
Transportation 1,600
Miscellaneous 3,000
Total Estimated Cost 73,680

Manhattan School of Music Scholarships for International Students

  • If students complete the financial aid section in their application and the Financial Aid application, they will be considered for a scholarship at the time of audition.
  • A few available scholarships for international students are:
    • MSM Scholarship: MSM Scholarship is awarded to approximately 50% of full-time enrolled students. The scholarship is awarded by Scholarship Committee and is based upon recommendations from faculty at entrance auditions, analysis of family income and assets, and the academic performance of the student.
    • President’s Award: It is awarded on the same basis as above to no-need, high-merit students. Awards are renewable based on criteria as determined by the school.
    • Third Party scholarships awarded by Fin Aid, Scholarship Experts, Fast Web, The College Board, International Scholarships.
    • All students are eligible to receive MSM scholarships. Some of the scholarships are given below:
Scholarships Eligibility Value
Manhattan School of Music of Scholarship All students Based on the performance in the entrance audition and demonstrated financial need.
President’s Award All students 25% of tuition

Manhattan School of Music Alumni Network

  • Many of Manhattan School of Music’s alumni are the most eminent artists performing in opera houses, concert halls, and on jazz stages throughout the world today.
  • MSM alumni get a number of benefits- career counseling, entrepreneurial coaching, library access, participation in mentorship programs, health and wellness, discounts in the recording studio, and a lot more.
  • MSM recognizes its exceptional alumni with The Distinguished Alumni Award every year.
  • A few notable alumni are-
    • Miguel Zenón: alto saxophonist, multiple times Grammy award nominee
    • Catherine Malfitano: renowned American opera dancer
    • Shuler Hensley: popular American singer and dancer

Manhattan School of Music Placements

  • MSM Centre for Music Entrepreneurship offers both students and alumni entrepreneurial coaching, arranges workshops, internships opportunities that help them to graph their career path.
  • MSM provides students with several internship opportunities, where they get to learn hands-on working skills and can develop their classroom knowledge in real-life scenarios.
  • Details about internship and entrepreneurial opportunities can be found on the official website.

FAQs

Ques. What is Manhattan School of Music known for?

Ans. Manhattan School of Music is known for offering innovative curriculum in classical, jazz and musical theater training. The school also has world-renowned artists as its faculty.

Ques.What is the tuition fee at Manhattan School of Music?

Ans. The tuition fee at the Manhattan School of Music is 48,280 USD.

Ques.What is the acceptance rate of Manhattan School of Music?

Ans. The acceptance rate at Manhattan School of Music was at 36% in fall. It is a more selective institution and looks for extraordinary talent.

Ques. What is the application deadline for Manhattan School of Music?

Ans. The application deadline for admission to Manhattan School of Music is December 1.

Ques.What if I miss the application deadline?

Ans. Late applications will be accepted only if they are approved by the Office of Admissions with an additional fee of 25 USD.

Ques.Are SAT/ ACT scores required for admission to Manhattan School of Music?

Ans. No. Manhattan School of Music does not require students to submit SAT/ ACT scores for admission.

Ques. What is the application fee for Manhattan School of Music?

Ans. The application fee for applying to Manhattan School of Music is 125 USD.