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• New York, New York
Quick Take
Manhattan School of Music in New York City offers elite classical, jazz, and opera training with world-class faculty, 1,100+ annual performances, and direct access to the world's most competitive music scene. Students train in a dedicated conservatory environment on the Upper West Side near Lincoln Center, with opportunities for professional exposure, masterclasses with leading artists, and deep immersion in New York's cultural life.
Manhattan at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Manhattan School of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Religious Affiliation | none |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | classical, contemporary, electronic, jazz, opera |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, engineering/technology, jazz, opera, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Music, Certificate, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | elite |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | |
| Application Deadline | 2026-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | highly competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Feb |
| Prescreening | is required |
| Location | |
| City / State | New York, New York |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Manhattan website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Manhattan is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Manhattan supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, contemporary, electronic, jazz, opera. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Manhattan website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Manhattan can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Manhattan website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Manhattan
Students at Manhattan can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, engineering/technology, jazz, opera, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Manhattan website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Manhattan is elite. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of . (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Manhattan is 2026-12-01 00:00:00 of each year.
Visit the Manhattan website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Manhattan, and the school's auditions are considered to be highly competitive. The audition window is Jan–Feb of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is required.
Visit the Manhattan website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Manhattan School sits on Claremont Avenue on the Upper West Side, steps from Lincoln Center, Columbia University, and the full density of the world's most competitive classical and jazz performance scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manhattan hard to get into?
Admission to Manhattan is considered elite for music and selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Manhattan?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Manhattan.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Manhattan?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Manhattan?
Admitted students at Manhattan have an average GPA of . Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Manhattan?
The application deadline for Manhattan is 2026-12-01 00:00:00, with live auditions typically held Jan–Feb. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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