Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University
One of the region's largest music schools presents topnotch concerts and master classes
The Experience
Over 200 concerts, including dance, opera and master classes, are offered yearly, and most are free to the public. Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Mendelssohn Club and the Network for New Music teach at Temple.
Every category — strings, keyboard, jazz, early music, new music, opera and choral — is represented here. The guest artist series and faculty recitals are standouts. A terrific piano department includes Lambert Orkis, accompanist for internationally acclaimed violinist Ann-Sophie Mutter. There are regular performances by the Temple Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Wind Band and Percussion Ensemble and staged productions by Temple Opera Theater.
The main campus fronts North Broad Street (Avenue of the Arts), so access is easy from Center City and parking is available for each venue. Rock Hall’s 300-seat theater, renovated in 1994, is one of the area’s most acoustically attractive chamber music spaces.
History
Annual enrollment is 700 at Boyer College, among the largest music schools in the tristate area. One of 17 schools of Temple University, the music school opened in 1962 and expanded in 1984 with a gift from alumnus Esther Boyer.
An excellent Music Preparatory Division presents performances by the Temple Gifted Youth string ensembles, choral programs and adult continuing education. Notable alumni include mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson and pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin. Jazz great McCoy Tyner has performed for Temple, and so have Ann-Sophie Mutter, Anner Bylsma, Benita Valente and Mstislav Rostropovich.