From its inception in 1974[2] under dean Samuel Jones, the Shepherd School has emphasized orchestral, chamber music, and opera as the central elements of its performing curriculum.

[8] Numerous world-renowned classical musicians have come to the Shepherd School to give concerts and conduct master classes, including Yo-Yo Ma,[9] André Watts,[10] Itzhak Perlman,[11] Cecilia Bartoli,[12] and Renée Fleming.

[14] Situated on the western side of the Rice campus, it is made up of two long parallel wings joined by gardens and connecting corridors of loggias.

[3] In September 2017, the Shepherd School broke ground on a new opera and music building that will be connected to Alice Pratt Brown Hall by a plaza.

[16] The Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program[17] of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University offers non-credit private instruction in piano and selected string (violin and cello) instruments for children ages 6–18.