Recently called the “hottest music school in America” by Newsweek – and boasting a list of alumni that includes such notables as Renee Fleming, Tony Levin and Chuck Mangione – the Eastman School of Music ranks with Berklee and the Juilliard School as a colossus of American musical education. Established in 1921 through the largesse of Eastman Kodak founder George Eastman, the school offers a full-to-bursting schedule of concerts and recitals from both students, instructors, and visiting artists throughout the school year, many of which are presented in the mammoth and ornate Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, which dates from the school’s earliest days. (Note to the thrifty: a healthy selection of performances are offered free of charge.) Smaller pieces – chamber recitals, jazz performances and the like – are held in the more compact but no less architecturally notable Kilbourn Hall. During the summer, ESM runs “Going for Baroque” on Sunday afternoons, a traditional series of short, intensive recitals on the Memorial Art Gallery’s huge Italian Baroque organ. (JM)

Eastman School of Music Information

• Venues: Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Kilbourn Hall, Hatch Recital Hall, Howard Hanson Hall, Ciminelli Formal Lounge, and the Schmitt Organ Recital Hall, all located on the Eastman School of Music campus
• Public Transportation: Very Good (a short walk from buses 2, 3, 8, 9, 18, and 19 at Main Street East/Gibbs Street; buses 1, 6, 7, and 10 at North Chestnut Street/Main Street East; and buses 4, 30, and 800 at North Chestnut Street/Stillson Street; and a 15-minute walk from several buses and the Amtrak at the Rochester Amtrak Station)
• Handicapped Accessibility: Good
• Performances/Programs: Four separate annual concert series, along with student recitals and repertory performances, as well as Fall, Spring, and Summer Festivals
• Ticket Prices: Most concerts are free, and require no tickets. Ticketed events range from $10– $20. $5 Student Rush tickets are available each Monday for events taking place that week
• Subscriptions: Available for the Kilbourn Series and the Eastman-Ranlet Series, and range from $38–$65
• Membership: Members ($1,500–$4,999); Fellows ($5,000–$9,999); Benefactors ($10,000–$24,999); Patrons ($25,000–$49,999); Founders ($50,000+). Seat Naming opportunities are also available, and prices start at $1,000.