Three people smile at each other from across a table. A sign for the Conservatory hangs behind.

Undergraduate Admitted Students

Congratulations on your admission to Bard! This section of the website is to help you take the first steps of becoming part of the Conservatory. Since Conservatory students are fully integrated into the larger Bard College community, the majority of your enrollment and orientation will be done through the College. Below you will find more details about that, and you will also find some helpful initial information specific to the Conservatory program.

Photo by Matt Dine

Welcome to the Bard Conservatory Double-Degree Program.

Frank Corliss, Director, Bard College Conservatory of Music

You are joining a unique community of accomplished, intelligent, and supportive musicians who are combining music making of the highest standard with an ambitious liberal arts curriculum. The fully integrated double-degree curriculum not only prepares one for life after college but also develops better musicians—musicians who can put their music making in a larger intellectual, social, and artistic context; who can bring a broader set of intellectual skills to their music making; who can serve their community and move the art of music forward. To achieve these ambitious goals you will have an incredible group of faculty—musicians of the highest caliber who are also dedicated and supportive educators.

Welcome to the Bard Conservatory. You will learn a lot, you will have fun, and you will never be bored!

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Letters from Bard

Students admitted to the Bard Conservatory will receive three separate letters through their Bard Applicant Portal. Conservatory students will need to navigate their Bard College and Conservatory Portals to view their separate decision letters.

• Bard College Admission and Enrollment Letter
• Bard Conservatory Admission Letter
• Financial Aid Letter (if applicable)

Applicant Portal Tutorial →

Two singers performing in front of a piano.

Photo by Liam Brosh '25

Undergraduate Admitted Students Enrollment

The enrollment deadline for incoming first year students is May 1. To officially enroll at Bard College, you will need to reply to your offer of admission through your Bard College Applicant Portal and submit your enrollment deposit on or before May 1. You will have the option for online payment using your Applicant Portal.

More About Enrollment →

Communications and Orientation

All official communication for Conservatory activities and scheduling goes to the student’s Bard email address. It is important to set up your Bard email and check it frequently, especially during the months leading up to arrival at Bard.

During the first week of Language and Thinking in August there will be an orientation session for incoming Conservatory students. Students are introduced to the core members of the Conservatory team and are given specific information about lessons, orchestra, chamber music and the use of the Conservatory facilities.

A violinist holding her bow and staring at the camera.

Orchestra Auditions

During the summer, before you come to campus, you will be contacted by Erica Kiesewetter, director of orchestral studies at Bard Conservatory. At this time, you will be sent the required excerpts for the first Conservatory Orchestra seating auditions. These auditions typically take place at the end of the first week of the semester.

Assignments

Studio Teacher Assignments

Studio teacher assignments are usually made by the time of deposit or soon thereafter. Regular weekly private lessons begin in the first or second week of classes. Lessons are scheduled by our lessons coordinator, in conjunction with the studio faculty members.
Chamber Music Assignments

All first-year students play chamber music and will be assigned to a group by our chamber music coordinator, Marka Gustavsson. Chamber music assignments are made at the end of August and coachings begin the first or second week of classes.
Locker Assignments

All Conservatory students receive a locker for instrument storage. Students may obtain a locker during check-in days in August or anytime during the Language and Thinking session in August.