The college was founded as the Hamilton Conservatory of Music in 1897 by C. L. M. Harris, who served as the school's first director through 1907.
From 1904 until its closing in 1980 due to financial reasons the school was located at premises on James St South.
Other directors of the college included Cyril Hampshire (1939–44), Reginald Bedford (1944-8), Reginald Godden (1948–53), Lorne Betts (1953–59), Harold Jerome (1959–67), Gladys Whitehead (1967–74), and Jonathan Watts (1974–80).
In the late 1970s the Hamilton Conservatory of Music experienced severe financial problems.
The building was converted to other uses and then abandoned; losing its connection as a cultural center.