VanderCook College of Music

For over a century, VanderCook College of Music has been a beacon for aspiring music educators and professional musicians. Founded in 1909, this private music school is singularly focused on preparing students for successful careers, particularly as directors and teachers in school bands and orchestras. Its distinctive curriculum and practical approach stem from a rich legacy of brass instruction, ensuring graduates are not only skilled musicians but also effective communicators and inspiring leaders.

The college's roots trace back to Hale Ascher VanderCook, who acquired the studios of his esteemed teacher, Alfred F. Weldon, in 1909. Recognizing the growing need for trained music teachers, especially after World War I, VanderCook pioneered specialized courses. By 1928, it was incorporated as a non-profit teacher training institution, and by 1931, it proudly graduated its first class with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, setting a new standard for music pedagogy.

VanderCook's academic strength lies in its approved curriculum, which historically enabled graduates to receive teaching certificates without further examination in Illinois public schools. The college has also maintained a unique, symbiotic relationship with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), culminating in its strategic move to the IIT campus in 1996. This allows VanderCook students to enjoy the extensive amenities of a larger university – including housing, performing spaces, and a vast research library – while the college retains its specialized focus and autonomy.

The student experience at VanderCook is enriched by its deep ties to the music world. Co-founder H.E. Nutt helped establish the globally renowned Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, where VanderCook's Symphonic Band, faculty, and students actively participate. This engagement provides invaluable professional experience. The college boasts a distinguished list of alumni, including jazz greats like Richard Davis and Kobie Watkins, influential composers such as Merle Isaac, and legendary music educator Walter Dyett, whose students included Nat King Cole and Dinah Washington. VanderCook truly prepares its students to make a lasting impact in the world of music.