Established | 1899 |
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Students | 1000 |
Address | 1584 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
Website | http://www.wcmusic.org |
McIntosh–Goodrich Mansion
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![]() The McIntosh–Goodrich Mansion houses the conservatory
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Location | 1584 North Prospect Avenue |
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Coordinates | 43°3′2″N 87°53′33″W / 43.05056°N 87.89250°WCoordinates: 43°3′2″N 87°53′33″W / 43.05056°N 87.89250°W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1903 |
Architectural style | Classical Revival |
NRHP reference # | 00001045 |
Added to NRHP | August 31, 2000 |
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is an independent music school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It teaches classical, jazz, rock, folk, and blues and hosts musical concerts throughout the year.
The school is descended from two music schools, both founded in Milwaukee in 1899: the Wisconsin College of Music, originally located in Mendelssohn Hall across the street from the Central Library, and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, originally housed in the Ethical Building on Jefferson Street facing Cathedral Square. The two schools merged in 1971.
In 1932 the school leased the mansion built in 1903 by industrialist Charles L. McIntosh, who owned a controlling interest in the J. I. Case Company. The architect was Horatio R. Wilson of Chicago. In 1921 McIntosh sold the house to William Osborne Goodrich (1863–1956), who was married to Marie Best Pabst (1868–1947), the daughter of Frederick Pabst (1836–1904).
The school educates over 1000 students each semester and holds classes in multiple locations throughout Milwaukee County. It employs over 50 teachers and performers. Both group classes and individual instruction are available. It has an annual budget of about $2 million, with 70% of the operating expenses covered by tuition.
Noted faculty have included the pianists Adelaide Banaszynski ("Miss B"), Ralph Votapek, David Hazeltine, and Berkeley Fudge. Other current and former faculty include Margaret Hawkins, Lee Dougherty, Pearl Brice, Benjamin Verdery, Rebecca Penneys, Tony King, Edward Wise, and Jessie Hauck.
Noted students have included pianist Lynne Arriale, bassist Gerald Cannon, conductor Lee Erickson, composer Daron Hagen, pianist David Hazeltine, choreographer Liz Lerman, pianist Liberace, trumpeter Brian Lynch, pianist Wayne Taddey, actor Gene Wilder, and former mayor Carl Zeidler.