[4] On February 11, 1867, violinist and composer Julius Eichberg founded Boston Conservatory as a professional training academy and a community music school.

[citation needed] In 1893, upon Eichberg's death, direction was assumed by R. Marriner Floyd, with Herman P. Chelius, organist and composer, serving as the musical director.

[citation needed] After the turn of the 20th century, Boston Conservatory created the first "grand opera" department in the U.S.[citation needed] In 1943, Jan Veen established Boston Conservatory's Dance Division, the first program to emphasize both classical ballet and America's emerging modern dance.

[citation needed] Prior to 2016, Boston Conservatory was an independent private college with accredited programs in dance, music, and theater that presented more than 700 performances each year.

[5] In 2015, Boston Conservatory began talks with Berklee College of Music to explore a merger of the two schools.