[1] Although various institutions used the name Atlanta Conservatory of Music, its most successful version was incorporated in 1907 and opened on September 15, 1908, in the Cable Piano Company building.

An educational institution named the Atlanta Conservatory of Music was founded sometime around 1880, under the management of Madame and Professor Schulize.

[6][7] In May 1901, newspapers reported that Nellie Hook, the conservatory's professor of fiddling, made $500 a month ($18,312 in today's money).

[18] Music teacher Hazel Wood and five students escaped the fire by jumping from a fifth window to the roof of an adjourning three-story building.

[18][20] In October 1907, construction began on a five-story building, designed by architect Harry Leslie Walker to house the conservatory and The Cable Piano Company.

[11][12] The conservatory was located on the building's fourth and fifth floors which included classrooms, studios, offices, and an auditorium that seated 600 people for lectures and recitals.

[11][13] The auditorium had a large stage for chorals and orchestras and was equipped with Mason & Hamlin concert pipe organ and grand piano.

[13] In 1908, the conservatory purchased and remodeled the nearby A. W. Calhoun home on the corner of Mitchell and Washington Streets for use as a student dormitory.

[11] The conservatory also taught dramatic arts, modern languages, oratory, and training for public school teachers.

[22] In 1908, German violin virtuoso Richard Schliewen von Hofen became the dean of the conservatory as well as the conductor of an orchestra.