A top-tier American music conservatory, Curtis was founded in 1924. It is distinctive for both its highly selective enrollment—roughly 165 students—and its tuition-free policy for all students. Curtis boasts numerous illustrious alumni, including the composers Samuel Barber, Loenard Bernstein, Gian Carlo Menotti, and Ned Rorem, the instrumentalists Yefim Bronfman, Hilary Hahn, Leila Josefowicz, and Lang Lang, and the opera singers Juan Diego Flórez, Eric Owens, and john Relyea.
In addition to alumni and student recitals, the conservatory features concert offerings by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and Curtis Opera Theatre. Curtis students often perform abroad, including performances for the “Curtis in NY” series. The school’s affordably priced PECO Family Concerts are also of note.
Curtis Institute of Music Information
- Venues: Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust Street; Perelman Theater and Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 South Broad Street; Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street; Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut Street; Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Longwood Gardens Ballroom, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square.
- Programs/Ensembles: Curtis Symphony Orchestra, Curtis Opera Theatre, Student Recital Series, Alumni Recital Series, PECO Family Concerts, Curtis on Tour, Curtis in NY, Brown Bag Concerts, Curtis at Longwood.
- Ticket Prices: Student Recitals, Brown Bag Concerts, and art museum concerts, free of charge; Curtis Symphony Orchestra, tickets range from $5-$50; Curtis Opera Theatre, tickets from $35-$130; Alumni Recitals, $28 tickets; PECO Family Concerts, tickets are $5 for adults, free for children ages 12 and younger; Longwood recitals are free with Gardens admission.
