Eastman School of Music

The Eastman School of Music is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Rochester. The School is considered one of the best music schools in the United States, and its alumni and alumnae can be found in many professional ensembles. It was established in 1921 by the Rochester philanthropist and Eastman Kodak magnate George Eastman, who was a music-lover. Eastman selected composer Howard Hanson to be its first director.

Famous alumni

• Dominick Argento, composer
• Ron Carter, jazz musician
• Michael Davis, jazz musician
• Chuck Daellenbach, Tubist and founder of the Canadian Brass
• Eric Ewazen, composer
• John Fedchock, jazz trombonist and big band leader
• Frederick Fennell, conductor
• Renée Fleming, soprano
• Steve Gadd, jazz musician
• Raymond Gniewek, violinist
• Chuck Mangione, jazz musician
• Christopher Martin, Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony
• Chris Theofanidis, composer
• Ted Poor, jazz musician
• Jim Pugh, trombone virtuoso
• Mitch Miller, record producer
• Bill Reichenbach, Hollywood trombonist
• Maria Schneider, composer, big band leader
• Charles Strouse, composer
• Tim Stodd, percussionist
• Ralph Saur, trombonist
• Jeff Tyzik (Principal Pops conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Lewis Van Haney, bass trombonist
• Mark Volpe, managing director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
• William Warfield, baritone
• Walt Weiskopf, jazz musician
• Alec Wilder, composer
• Richard Woitach, conductor and pianist
• Jason Robert Brown, composer and pianist