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  • Music Education:
    A Sound Investment

    For over 100 years, VanderCook College of Music has specialized in turning musicians into the world’s finest music educators. Discover why VanderCook is among the most highly recommended music schools in the nation.

    Request Information

  • LCM Preliminary Concept Rendering

    A Historic Message:
    Welcome to our future home!

    We are thrilled to announce that starting in 2028, VanderCook will move to a new facility designed to grow our mission, inspire our students, and shape the future of music education for generations to come.

    Click Here for Details!

  • 2026-27 Visit Days!

    Make plans now to visit the VanderCook College of Music campus where you will participate in rehearsals and classes, meet our faculty and staff, complete your audition, and more!

    Learn More & Register

  • 2027 Online Masterclass Series

    Elevate your musicianship and work alongside VanderCook’s acclaimed faculty in our upcoming online masterclass series. Sessions are FREE.

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    Degree Programs

    Saxophone Forlenza 2019PictureDay

    BMEd

    Bachelor of
    Music Education

    Violin Symphony Center Grads4855

    BMped

    Bachelor of Music
    in Performance and Pedagogy

    Grad9651 Graduation

    MMEd

    Master of
    Music Education

    Clarinet Student Prof. Rhodes 2018VCM3919

    MCert

    Master of
    Music Education
    and Certification

    E6CF9B66 025F 4120 9038 4AD22592AF1B 1 105 c

    TCEP

    Teacher Certification
    Entitlement Program

    diamond 1
    Nationally Rated "Best Hidden Gem Music Education Schools"
    Top 0
    education
    Student to Teacher Ratio
    0 :1
    university 1
    Classes Taught by Faculty
    0 %
    mortarboard
    Job Placement Rate
    0 %

    Upcoming Events

    August 25, 2026

    First Day of Classes

    Learn More
    October 12, 2026

    Fall Break – No Classes

    Learn More
    View Full Calendar of Events

    Life on Campus

    mies campus VanderCook
    Our campus is located just minutes from downtown Chicago’s world-renowned music culture: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Institute, Lyric Opera, etc.  Prospective students can shadow a current VanderCook student to gain insight about student life on campus, learn more about VCM, and get helpful information about applying for admission. Learn more about visiting VanderCook!
    Campus Video
    Virtual Tour
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    Midwest Ad 2019 Kaminsky

    Meet our Faculty

    View all faculty members
    Screen Shot 2021 01 02 at 2.37.45 PM

    Doug Bistrow

    Applied String Bass
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    Michael Becker

    World Music, Music History
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    Bonnie Campbell

    Applied Clarinet
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    Stacey Larson Dolan

    Undergraduate Dean,
    Associate Director of Bands

    Screen Shot 2021 01 02 at 2.38.04 PM

    Manju Durairaj

    General K-5 Methods

    Business Partners

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    QandF
    the midwest clinic
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