Founded in 1880, we were the first municipal music college in Great Britain. Today, we have over 1000 students studying with us on our London campus. Guildhall School of Music first opened its doors on 27 September 1880, housed in a disused warehouse in the City. With 62 part-time students, it was the first municipal music college in Great Britain. The School quickly outgrew its first home, however, and in 1887 it moved to new premises in John Carpenter Street in a complex of educational buildings built by the Corporation of London to house it and the Citys two public schools.
The new building was completed by 9 December 1886 and the then Lord Mayor of London, Sir Reginald Hanson attended the opening ceremony. Teaching continued under the first Principal of the School, Thomas Henry Weist Hill, and his team of 90 professors.
The new site, designed by architect Sir Horace Jones, comprised a Common Room for Professors and 45 studios, each surrounded by a 1 one foot thick layer of concrete to deaden the sound. Each room contained both a grand piano and an upright piano. Additionally, there was an Organ room and a Practice room, in reality a small concert hall which was used for orchestral and choir rehearsals. The Practice room was also the venue for the fortnightly School concerts
Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors and production artists in the heart of the City of London.Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors and production artists in the heart of the City of London. Ranked as number one in Arts, Drama & Music by the Complete University Guide 2025, and in the top four in the world for Music and Performing Arts by the QS World University Rankings 2025, we deliver world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies and ensembles.
As a global leader in creative and professional practice, we promote innovation, experiment and research, and are also one of the UK’s leading providers of lifelong learning in the performing arts, offering inspiring training for children, young people, adult learners, and creative and business professionals.
Visit the university website
