Frequently Asked Questions

Created in fall 2001, the Institute for Music Leadership (IML) is a new and integral part of the Eastman School of Music. As the first center of its kind in the country, the IML reflects the Eastman School's longstanding role as an international leader in music.
The IML is the bold next step in the evolution of Eastman's groundbreaking "Eastman Initiatives" - the series of innovative programs and partnerships designed to better prepare students for entry into the challenging and changing music world of the 21st century.
The IML's primary role is to ensure that Eastman students, alumni, and professional musicians obtain the broad education, specialized skills, and diversified experiences they will need — along with their exceptional musicianship — to become the new generation of musical and cultural leaders. The Institute's emphasis is on developing and maximizing students' leadership potential by providing exceptional opportunities for professional development, nurturing the creation of innovative ideas and programs, and bridging the gap between the academic and professional worlds.

Recognizing the fundamental power of music and its importance in peoples' lives, the Institute for Music Leadership has been created to actively engage musicians in new ways and challenge them to think more broadly about music, its role, and their role in society. It serves as a center for the creation and implementation of new ideas related to music leadership — for Eastman students, alumni, and practicing musicians at all stages of their careers. The goals of the IML reflect the expansion of Eastman's role as an innovator and a standard bearer in professional development.

Although separate from any individual degree program at Eastman, the IML strengthens and sustains core programs that prepare graduates to serve as artistic leaders. The Institute serves as the "umbrella structure" for:

• Careers and Professional Development
• Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Program
• Center for Music Innovation and Engagement
• Polyphonic.org and the Orchestra Musician Forum

These Eastman programs complement the School's tradition of educating musicians who are committed to the highest levels of artistry, scholarship, and leadership.

Always at the forefront of educating musicians of the future, the Eastman School is dedicated to the comprehensive education of world-class musicians while embracing with leadership and initiative the changing state of classical music. The IML has been created to formally promote these longstanding ideals, serve as a center — and benchmark — for music leadership programs and activities, and respond to and help shape America's changing musical and cultural environment.
The impact of this cultural change on the country's performing arts system was recently studied in-depth by RAND, a private nonprofit research organization, and supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts as part of a five-year, multi-million dollar initiative. The July 2001 report, The Performing Arts in a New Era, examines the entire performing arts system in America over the past 30 years, and indicates that a fundamental shift is taking place. (The major objectives of the study were to examine trends affecting audiences, artists, organizations, and finances, and to identify policy implications of those trends. For more information, visit www.pewtrust.org) Through the Eastman Initiatives of the 1990's, and the creation of the Institute for Music Leadership, Eastman is addressing many of these issues head-on to ensure the vitality and relevancy of music and the arts in the 21st century.
Moreover, the IML is true to founder George Eastman's original vision of educating musicians of the highest quality who contribute meaningfully to community life. The IML will enhance Eastman students' educational experience and professional development, not detract from it.

To fulfill the requirements of the Arts Leadership Program, students must complete coursework beyond the requirements of their degree.  Oftentimes there are overlaps between the requirements of the degree and the certificate program.   See information on the Arts Leadership Program for more specific information on the requirements.