The oldest independent conservatory in the United States is the New England Conservatory of Music, located in Boston.
It was founded in 1867 by Eben Tourgé and is the only music institution in the United States to be recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

The Conservatory has been in constant collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra since its founding in 1881, the first of which was composed largely of Conservatory faculty members. The concert hall of the famous institution, Jordan Hall, was built in 1903, it seats more than 1000 spectators at a time. It is the most prestigious American concert venue. For example, cellist Yo-Yo Ma admitted that he loves this unique hall for its unusual, incredible acoustics, for the warm, uniquely trusting environment. The most vivid sensation is the feeling when you come here for the first time.

Today, the New England Conservatory of Music is home to about 750 students, and more than 1,000 students are enrolled in the School of Secondary Education and the Preparatory School. Musicians who are world-renowned have trained here, with the most popular being graduates of the avant-garde jazz department. Among them were Dave Douglas and Matthew Shipp, Cecil Taylor and Marty Ehrlich.