The Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College has been present in

some form since the begging of the Illinois Institute, in 1853. At that

time there was no formalized music program, but there was instruction

in music, and in 1857 the Illinois Institute had its first music director, Freeborn Garretson Baker. According to the 1921-1922 Bulletin

of Wheaton College, the Conservatory of Music had existed since 1860,

but the earliest mention of the term "Conservatory" is found in the1881-1882 Bulletin. Since that time the Conservatory has

grown considerably, having moved from Blanchard into the “New Chapel” (Pierce) in 1927, and then having its own building, McAlister Hall, built in 1962. In 1937 the Conservatory became a member of the

National Association of Schools of Music. Wheaton College’s Conservatory

of Music keeps growing, supporting multiple choirs, an orchestra,

and several musical ensembles that perform regularly throughout the

school year, as well as travel around the world giving concerts in

many countries. The Conservatory also runs the Artist Series as

Wheaton College that continually brings to Wheaton’s campus

internationally famous musicians, composers, and performers for widely

acclaimed performances.