University of Zagreb Academy of Music is the largest and oldest higher musical institution in Croatia. It is the direct successor of the Croatian Music Institute music school which was founded in 1829. At the turn of the 20th century the school became the conservatory, and in 1921 it was renamed to Royal Academy of Music. It has been a constituent unit of the University of Zagreb since 1979. Many renowned artists and educators have studied and worked at the Academy of Music in Zagreb. Through their efforts at home and abroad they have confirmed and strengthened the reputation of the Academy and its high level of excellence in music education.

Studies at the Academy of Music are organized in eight departments, each presented here with their respective study programmes and competences acquired through them. There are currently 115 permanently employed professors at the Academy, who, together with a large number of associates, teach 580 students.

More than 300 concerts, productions and events performed in its premises, and in other concert halls in Zagreb, throughout the academic year, testify to a high level of excellence and quality of education at the Academy of Music. Two concerts organized in association with the Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall are of particular note. Academy of Music students have been performing for years as soloists with the Zagreb Philharmonic orchestra, and have acquired their first professional experience playing in the concert cycles of the Philharmonic. As of academic year 2015/2016, as a part of its collaboration with the Croatian National Theatre, the Academy will be preparing an opera premiere for each season. Moreover, another smaller opera project is under way in collaboration with the Small Stage Theatre (Mala scena). Student concert cycle Virtuoso, as well as numerous other student productions – choirs, chamber ensembles and orchestra performances – enrich each academic year.

Academy of Music is striving towards becoming the leading institution in the region and set high standards in all segments in the field of higher music education. Our goal is to become a music center with international reputation that will be recognized as a desirable destination for study and work by students and professors from around the world.

The values on which we wish to build this vision are high artistic and pedagogical quality of the teaching staff, development and innovation of study programs and the development of professional competencies of our graduates. By ensuring the continuity and development of musical art Academy wants to create artistic and intellectual elite of young musicians who will, through their public activity, influence the development of culture and art thus benefiting the community.

‘…we visited Zagreb a year ago and found a very high degree of spirit, quality and drive…These attributes match the philosophy of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, one of Europe’s leading institutes. We are looking forward to adding the Zagreb Academy of Music as a partner to our international list of top institutes and to working towards an intensive collaboration…'(2015.)

(Prof. Sven Arne Tepl, Vice –Principal /Director of Classical Music & Music in Education – Conservatorium van Amsterdam Nederland)

‘An inspiring venue facilitates artistic and educational content. The University of Zagreb Academy of Music is internationally known for its excellent artistic output. The new building with its openness, carefully constructed acoustics and its outstanding performance attributes, and teaching, researching and practising attributes, will surely support and further develop artistry. Its eye-catching appearance will be an indication of the importance of the Academy in Croatian society. The Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC) is looking forward to holding its Annual Congress in 2017 in this brilliant venue!

Georg Schulz    Former Rector of University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria AEC Vice-President