collageIn planning a program of study at VanderCook, undergraduate candidates should note the distinction between degrees, degree track, and full- and part-time enrollment.
Welcome to VanderCook College of Music!
We are excited that you are exploring the next steps in your journey as a music educator and performer. VanderCook has focused exclusively on music teacher education for over a century. Our unique curriculum prepares the whole music educator, emphasizing performance as well as instructional methods.
VanderCook College of Music’s degree programs offer a comprehensive course of study rooted in collaborative music making and hands-on, project-based learning in a conservatory-like atmosphere. Skills will be learned and developed from the very first semester of study through real-world teaching and performing experiences, maximizing your expertise by the time you become a highly sought-after alum in the job market.
VanderCook’s Bachelor of Music Education (BMEd) degree will fully prepare you to teach band, orchestra, choir and general music and our Bachelor of Music in Performance & Pedagogy (BMped) will train you to become a highly skilled performer and private lesson instructor. VanderCook boasts one of the largest and most diverse graduate music education programs in the world through its Master of Music Education (MMEd), Master of Music Education and Certification (MCert) and Teacher Certification Entitlement (TCEP) programs.
Degree and Declaration of Track
Upon admission to the college, candidates must declare either an instrumental or choral track, based on their major applied areas. Piano and guitar majors may choose either track.
Sessions
The bachelor’s degree is conferred on candidates completing 135 or more credit hours of required coursework during the program. Two semesters of 16 weeks each constitute the regular academic year.
Full- and Part-Time Enrollment
A candidate is considered full-time when enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of coursework in a semester.
Degree Completion
Undergraduate candidates are expected to complete all degree requirements within ten years from the date of first enrollment at VanderCook. Candidates may petition the undergraduate dean for exemption from this rule.
Classification of Undergraduate Candidates
Levels are defined as follows for the purposes of external institutional data reporting*:
- Level 1 candidates have completed 35 or fewer credit hours.
- Level 2 candidates have completed between 35.5 and 70 credit hours.
- Level 3 candidates have completed between 70.5 and 105 credit hours, plus the Teacher Candidacy Skills Assessment (TCSA), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP).
- Level 4 candidates have completed 105.5 or more credit hours.
* Please note that the credit hour classifications used by the Financial Aid Office differ slightly.
Continuing Education with Impact
VanderCook’s Music Education Center of America (MECA) Continuing Education program offers
graduate courses for teachers seeking practical knowledge and skills that can be used in their
classrooms immediately. Up to 12 credits earned in MECA courses can be applied to a
Master of Music Education degree at VanderCook.
History of VanderCook College of Music
Chronology of VanderCook’s Locations
VanderCook’s Current Location: Architecture & History
VanderCook Cornet School (later VanderCook College of Music) was founded in 1909 by Hale A. VanderCook to train professional musicians, directors and teachers.
The year 1909 is given as the founding date of VanderCook College because, in that year, Mr. VanderCook purchased the home, school and studios of his teacher, Alfred F. Weldon. The school was located at 1652 Warren Boulevard. Weldon (1862-1914) was one of the most famous brass instrument teachers in the Midwest. The college’s current philosophy of music education can trace its roots back to A.F. Weldon.
Hale A. VanderCook continued Weldon’s teaching philosophy, with an expanded program of teaching. Mr. VanderCook was nationally known as a conductor, soloist, composer and teacher, and students came to him from all over the country for advanced training, coaching and preparations for professional careers.
“There was no indication that Mr. Van’s house was a school except for the noise, and the neighbors didn’t like the school because of the noise. So one summer, … the neighbors put a laughing record and record player in a window next door, and this thing laughed all day. One day a friend came to see me, and when I came down from class to talk with him he said, ‘What kind of crazy place is this?’ Mrs. VanderCook had a parrot that was talking, somebody was playing a saxophone upstairs, the directing class was going, ‘One, pum, pum, zing,’ and this laughing record was going at the same time. My friend thought it completely crazy.”
— interview with John Beckerman, past president of VanderCook College of Music
Shortly after World War I, interest in school bands and orchestras and the need for trained teachers and directors for such organizations, created the demand for a special course of study to prepare for this work. For several years this work was given by individual lessons, but in 1926 classes in various subjects were organized.
By 1927, more space was needed and VanderCook purchased a large brownstone residence at 1655 Washington Blvd. (and Paulina), later adding adjacent buildings at 1653 and 1657 Washington Blvd. Students took required academic and education courses at nearby Lewis Institute. The root of the relationship between VanderCook (the school) and the Lewis Institute (later Illinois Institute of Technology) was the close friendship between Hale A. VanderCook and George L. Tenney, better known as “Doc” Tenney. “Doc” taught vocal music at the Lewis Institute and directed choirs in some of the largest churches in the Chicago area.
Then in 1928 the school was incorporated as a non-profit teacher training institution under the Illinois State laws and its curriculum approved by the Board of Examiners of the Illinois State Department of Public Instruction. Graduates therefore obtained certificates to teach bands and orchestras in the public schools without examination. By now the school was known as VanderCook School of Music.
The first class to complete the approved four-year course of study for the Bachelor of Music Education degree graduated at the summer session of 1931. Members of that class, all prominent teachers, were John H. Beckerman, Clarence F. Gates, Clifford P. Lillya, Hubert E. Nutt, William D. Revelli and Otto Uttke.
After Lewis Institute merged with Armour Institute to form the Illinois Institute of Technology at 33rd and Federal Streets, VanderCook School of Music was urged to move closer to the II.T. campus to continue the relationship it had fostered with the Lewis Institute. In 1953, a building site on Michigan Avenue, across the street from the IIT dormitory area was purchased. In 1954, a large residence at 3219 South Michigan Avenue was purchased and VanderCook moved to the new location. During this time the school changed its name to VanderCook College of Music.
In August, 1960, after several years of planning and fundraising, construction on a new building began. This building, located at 3209 South Michigan Avenue, housed an auditorium, practice rooms, lounges, heating plant, storage, classrooms, offices and library. H.E. Nutt, co-founder of VanderCook College of Music, lived in the building until close to his death in 1981.
The college moved onto the IIT campus in 1996, into a building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. This move allowed VanderCook to retain its autonomy while fostering a reciprocal arrangement with a larger university whose amenities include student housing and other student facilities, classroom and performing spaces in various campus buildings, and a large research library.
Chronology of VanderCook College’s Locations
1652 Warren Boulevard (1909-1927)
Alfred F. Weldon (1862-1914) was one of the most famous brass instrument teachers in the Midwest. His most famous student was H.A. VanderCook, who studied at the Weldon cornet school located at 1652 Warren Blvd. VanderCook Cornet School was established in 1907 when Weldon died. The year 1909 is given as the founding date of VanderCook College of Music as, in that year, Mr. VanderCook purchased the home, school and studios of his late teacher. VanderCook took over where Weldon left off, offering sound, practical, musical education for professional musicians and band directors. The college’s current philosophy of music education can trace its roots back to A.F. Weldon.
1655 W. Washington Blvd. (1927-1954)
By 1927, more space was needed and VanderCook School of Music (name adopted in 1928 when it began awarding BMEd degrees) purchased a large brownstone residence at 1655 Washington Blvd. (and Paulina), later adding adjacent buildings at 1653 and 1657 Washington Blvd. Students took required academic and education courses at nearby Lewis Institute. The root of the relationship between the school and the Lewis Institute (later the Illinois Institute of Technology) was the close friendship between Hale A. VanderCook and George L. Tenney, better known as “Doc” Tenney. “Doc” taught vocal music at the Lewis Institute and directed choirs in some of the largest churches in the Chicago area.
3219 S. Michigan Ave. (1954-1969)
Vandercook College Of Music Ranking
| country rank | 1644 |
| world rank | 5960 |
University Overview
Established in 1909, VanderCook College of Music is a non-profit private specialized higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Chicago (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Illinois. Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, VanderCook College of Music (VCM) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: 1,000-1,999 students) coeducational US higher education institution. VanderCook College of Music (VCM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 111 years old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 90-100% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. VCM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, financial aids and/or scholarships, as well as administrative services.
search the VanderCook College of Music’s website
University Identity
University Location
| Address | 3140 South Federal Street Chicago 60616-3731 Illinois United States |
|---|---|
| Tel | +1 (312) 225 6288 |
| Fax | +1 (312) 225 5211 |
VanderCook College of Music Admissions
Students who wish to be admitted at VanderCook College of Music should apply online via official University website. And because, VanderCook College of Music has internet access, good laboratories and equipped staff which containing of the professors, doctors and numerous lecturers, assistant lectures and tutors, you can also physically apply with much assurance while at the campus. This will help you to know more information about VanderCook College of Music
Application Requirements:
As a part of your Acceptd application, you will need to submit the following materials:
Undergraduate/MCert/TCEP Candidates:
- Written essay (writing prompts are included in the guidelines within the application)
- Transcripts:
- High school seniors – Unofficial transcripts – uploaded in Acceptd (Official Transcripts will be required post high school graduation)
- Transfer Students – Official high school and college transcripts (sent to us from previous institutions through transcript service or request a physical copy to be sent to VanderCook at 3140 Federal Street, Chicago, IL 60616)
- TCEP/MCert Candidates – Official college transcripts (sent to us from all previous institutions through transcript service or request a physical copy to be sent to VanderCook at 3140 Federal Street, Chicago, IL 60616)
- Three references (questionnaire and letters submitted through Acceptd)
- Audition (online or in person – see below for details)
- FAFSA Information – VanderCook Code 001778
- Current resume – MCert/TCEP Candidates ONLY
Graduate – MMEd Candidates:
- Written essay (writing prompts are included in the guidelines within the application)
- Official college transcripts (sent to us from all previous institutions through transcript service or request a physical copy to be sent to VanderCook at 3140 Federal Street, Chicago, IL 60616)
- Current resume
- Three references (questionnaire and letters submitted through Acceptd)
Audition:
Within your Acceptd application, you will be asked to select your audition preference. We welcome you to audition live in-person on our campus or submit an online/video audition along with your application. All programs except for MMEd require an audition. You can also visit the VanderCook Audition Guidelines webpage to learn more.
Deadlines:
- Spring 2023 submission – January 1, 2023
- Summer 2023 submission – June 9, 2023
- Fall 2023 submission – August 15, 2023
If you have questions regarding your program, application, or admissions process, please contact us at admissions@vandercook.edu or 312-788-1120. We are happy to answer your questions and help you learn more about VanderCook College of Music.
VanderCook College of Music foreign studies
In United States country, students from around the world are welcomed to study at VanderCook College of Music. Many of the students who study at VanderCook College of Music from outside United States are those who receive scholarships, funds, grants and studentships from various funding organizations and institutes.
Study Areas and Degree Levels
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities | ||||
| Business & Social Sciences | ||||
| Language & Cultural | ||||
| Medicine & Health | ||||
| Engineering | ||||
| Science & Technology |
Important: please contact or visit the official website of VanderCook College of Music for detailed information on areas of study and degree levels currently offered; the above uniRank Study Areas/Degree Levels Matrix™ is indicative only and may not be up-to-date or complete.
Yearly Tuition Range
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | |
|---|---|---|
| Local students | over 20,000 US$ (14,700 Euro) | 5,000-7,500 US$ (3,700-5,500 Euro) |
| International students | over 20,000 US$ (14,700 Euro) | 5,000-7,500 US$ (3,700-5,500 Euro) |
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