Life at the Best Music School in the World 

Not everyone has to make it to Curtis, in fact - if you simply want to enjoy practicing within a community, join this app I made called Tonic: tonicmusic.app/join-in Just like Curtis, it's free. Only easier to get in :)

I like how he casually says "I didn't get in the first time, but on my second attempt WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD, finally got in, was accepted, and came to school here". Like bruhhhhhh 15 lol

"Two Set tried to get in, but were told to practice more." Hahahaha aww you guys 😊

Curtis is legendary. Besides Ray, Hillary Hahn, Lang Lang, and Yuja Wang also graduated from there.

So cool to hear Ray say he was rejected the first time. He has really done Curtis proud.

Both my father, Leonard Frantz (viola) and before that his sister, my aunt Florence Frantz (piano) graduated from Curtis Institute. Offhand, I cannot remember the years they graduated, but I think my aunt graduated in the late 1920s/early 1930s and my dad in the mid to late 1930s. My Dad was a violist in the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1944 until his untimely death in 1960 and my aunt toured Europe in the early 1930s and later taught piano and played recitals in Philadelphia. She lived until 1992. I am very proud that Curtis is a part of my family history.

This is Hogwarts except students carry instruments instead of wands.

Nice to see how my old school has changed! I graduated in 1985. Curtis was a very different place then. There were still some people there from the earliest days of the school. My woodwind teachers had worked with Stokowski.

I am never going to get anywhere near curtis-level, but the philadelphia all-city high school orchestra used curtis's rooms for a concerto competition, and 30 minute rehearsal in their practice rooms was probably the most fun I've ever had playing piano, acoustics in there are insane

Great video! I auditioned FOUR times! Finally got in when I was 20 years~old. Stayed five years. ❤️

Ray got in after his 2nd attempt at 15 years old!! As a violinist AND he practiced piano for 7 years!! Good enough to sigh read through the piano classes 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Peak Asian levels

What I got from this video: Ray loves windows, is hungry, and wishes Curtis had all the new stuff when he was studying there.

This is so cool! My piano teacher desperately wanted me to audition for Curtis but I knew I didn't have a chance 🙂, congratulations to all those who make it!

man, it must be an intimidating place to attend. every student you see you know are amazing at their instrument...but then again, if you got in then you would be as well.

Alexandra was an excellent host. Very personable, articulate and comfortable camera presence. Thank you to all responsible for the tour.

I auditioned for Curtis in 2008. I've never experienced nerves like that before. Great experience and every musician should apply for an audition. Great experience.

Very useful. I am working on a fantasy novel, with some chapters taking place at a top-notch music school, so all these tiny bits are really helpful. :)

“Elizabeth” 😂… and her stare afterwards 😮‍💨 👍🏼. He looks so cheerful introducing her, too.

That was such a great video and interview. I really felt like I was back at Curtis. You have such wonderful humor and lightness. Thank you for sharing the Curtis experience for future generations, and also for past generations.

I recognized this amazing place immediately, it is my dream to make it

Ray directly asking the audience where they'd prefer to practice and pausing for a response at 9:30 gave me complete Blue's Clues vibes.

If you can get into Curtis slowly, you can get into Curtis quickly.

I used to know this ultra rich pianist student from China who attended both Juilliard and Curtis ...OMG her ability to me was beyond Master level

Omg the "Hi Ray" Hairui one was HILARIOUS

Some countries don't even have a proper music school. Music is just not about hard work and practice. Sometimes it's about the previllage provided by the elders. Hope we can create something that may provide for the next generations.

The single most thing I notice about instrument players, musicians, they are all relaxed and very pleasant people to be around❤❤❤❤

Also thanks for showing us a tour of Curtis! Super interesting to get a taste of what going to a music institute would have been like.

What a g, "when you play, breathe, and think about music" great advice

So,glad you are having fun and making progress. As a Juilliard grad, I understand how hard you have to work in order to even be considered, keep going!

Great video and fascinating insider’s view into a great music school. As a musician myself, but who went to law school instead, this really resonated and made me long for what might’ve been.

My second degree cousin from the US went there and she seems to be doing well for herself. She went on to do a masters at a prestigious university in the US as far as I know. We never interacted much but I know she primarily plays the organ

Thanks for the tour! I was sort of waiting for old school snapshots and videos to see what teenaged Ray looked like and sounded like. . .😄

Thank you so much Ray, what an amazing and fantastic place. And you are so self effacing about your start there. You are one of my most favourite violinist’s in the world. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags ❤❤❤

This is so amazing! Never thought of a life as a music student studying in one of the top music school in the world…I hope I could visit all the musical school in this world one day 😂

Great job. I was lucky to play clarinet in the Seattle Youth Symphony for Vilem Sokol. My friends and I would have loved your videos back in the 60’s. Instead, I’m going to introduce them to my violinist grandson. I’m sure they will inspire him. I would have loved Curtis. Kids need to hear what a great social life you can have in music.

I am proud to be from Philadelphia and have visited numerous free student concerts at Curtis!

I love your videos, mr. Chen! Thank you for posting so much good stuff!

Studied at Settlement Music School in Philly but the Beatles came along and I stopped my Czerny studies or I might have tried for Curtis. My parents and grandmother wanted me to be the next Van Cliburn.........didn’t happen but I still appreciate what classical training has done for me.

my cello teacher went here and in addition to his incredible playing, he was really good at teaching!

Great Video. I guess I was pretty Lucky to get in when I was 17 years old A long time ago. 1972. 51 years ago. Thanks for the memories! Best

Great job Ray. I loved all the different perspectives from different students of varying instruments, all different years.

Excellent video Ray!! Great interviews! Thanks so much!

I really admire these young musicians. They are inspirational. Very hard working.

Thank you Ray for doing this! Also for asking my question. 😊

Thank you, Ray, for giving us a tour of Curtis Institute. What an experience! You are amazingly humble for such a talented violinist. (Thanks for the fun fact of TwoSet's audition attempts).

Appreciation from Taipei! Good video and my 11 year old daughter is inspired to practice more after watching this. Thanks!

Wonderful peek inside! Thanks, Ray. I recently joined a choir and have been able to practice at deSingel/the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp, Belgium. A music campus really feels like Hogwarts. Hope to welcome you back to Belgium soon! ❤ + good luck to Alexandra!! ❤️❤️🇧🇪🇧🇪

Ray's a great interviewer and a natural communicator. Very nice video!

Great job Ray!

Music is just amazing, I enjoy every single musical aspect ❤🎉❤🎉

I wish I had heard about this school when I was younger. Such a great video! Love the Animal Crossing music in the back ground around 12:40 min mark

The art of the humble brag. "Finally" getting into the prestigious music school at 15.

It’s great to see the inside of such famous music school!

Heard the Orchestra here in Arizona two weeks ago. I was blown away.

That looks like a magical school! Great tour.

Wow, I'm so well informed. Thanks Ray!

Curtis will always be my impossible dream as a violinist

Great video! I thoroughly enjoyed the tour!

Great tour of your alma mater. Inspiring me to get some ensembles in action

Wow ! I enjoyed this video. Its cool to see an inside look of this great school. Thank you for sharing :-)

Yes field hall with the red lights is scary, that was how it was when I auditioned, but luckily I made it in on my first try

Wow! 🤩 Thank you for sharing and making it!

Looks like you have to be an amazing musician and really good looking to get into this school!! :)

Let's be realistic though...music isn't exactly a money-making career path for 95% of people, especially in this economy. I have a music degree and finished half a master's in it as well, before switching to IT. I know people from my graduating class who couldn't find jobs in music despite being talented musicians, so they ended up in retail and grocery stores. It's a painful truth that I think music schools don't tell prospective students; almost predatory, if I'm being honest. The better path is to choose a realistic major (healthcare, IT, engineering, etc.) and minor in music so you can still develop those musical skills if you want to give lessons or perform as a hobby.

“hi ray”.. Lol. That interview was solid!

Great to see this. ❤

This reminds me of my own time at university. I started and thought I will practice many hours a day and then I realised that I do not have the time for that and I have so many theory lessons. Now I am about to finish and have 1! course each week which is about theory and I have a lot of time to practise :)

A great video from Ray Chen, a Taiwanese-Australian violinist. Curtis Institute of Music is right at Rittenhouse Square in Center City, Philadelphia. My son and I walked past it together a few years ago. Its entrance was so unassuming, even underwhelming, that it was hard to relate it to the name of “Curtis”. Unassuming and underwhelming no matter, the door still served its purpose - it prevented us from “getting into” Curtis. 😧 Now this video opens the door to Curtis for us. As we follows Ray Chen getting through the door of Curtis, roaming among its classrooms and halls, listening to his brief coverages of the history and student life, talking with Curtis students and staff, you can get a feel of enchanted “Curtis” spirit - it feels like Hogwarts. 😮 Many current and past great musicians were Curtis students, among them, Leonard Bernstein, Hilary Hahn, Lang Lang, just to mention a few. They came from all over around the world, at very young ages, through years of rigorous studies in their teens and twenties, right there in the Center City Philadelphia ! ❤ Ray Chen and his guide shared their experiences of auditions - and how to get admitted to Curtis. His guide, Alexandra, especially mentioned about contacting and connecting with Curtis teachers who she wanted to study under and attending masterclasses lead by the teachers before the auditions, and also audition at multiple schools. That really rings a bell, resonating with the note of “it is not only what you know, but also who you know”. 😅 Even though Ray Chen has been at the pinnacle of the classical music ivory tower for many years, he still remains passionate and devoted to classical violin music, he still remains very energetic and resourceful, not only plays in many concerts in the world each year, but also through his online and offline presence, and his app, Tonic, builds a community of violin lovers and musicians alike. Just like he calls his alma mater “the best music school in the world”, I’m sure Curtis is very proud to call him one of her’s best alumni. 🎉 If you want good food, I can assure you that the nearby restaurants around Rittenhouse Square have a lot more to offer. If you are still not satisfied there, take a short walk to Reading Station and Chinatown and knock yourself out. 😂 Question: Curtis Institute of Music was founded by Mary Curtis Bok, the only heir to the Curtis Publishing Company family in Philadelphia. Just a few blocks away, Sidney Kimmel Medical College is hosted in Curtis Building. Who is the “Curtis” on the eponymous building? 😉

A missed opportunity to hear a practice room; then try and hear a practice room with the door closed. I spent many years in music study. The music professors showed a healthy bias to gifted students. Once my classmate left and went on to be music critic for the Los Angeles times I was suddenly given the spot light. The best teachers included theory and analysis of pop tunes. But worst was the basic piano classes and the crud they forced you learn to play. I left knowing some of my composition ideas were stolen- I was naive.

Fantastic. Love Curtis. So talented.

I like the Tonic App. It does encourage me to practice more.

Como me encantan tus videos, en especial para poder escuchar, para poder haci practicar mi inglés, con solo escuchar aprendo a producir muy bien alguna de las palabras que desconozco......new fan y subscriptor. ❤❤❤❤🤣🤣😊😊👌👌

Classic architecture it's just better, what a lovely place, and the city looks pretty walkable, bike friendly

So they have thousands of musicians try out but only a very tiny handful get in. This brings me to this question: if you're so good that you are selected by Curtis or a Curtis-like school, do you really need the school beyond what the name can possibly give you professionally? What value can Curtis-like schools offer you beyond its name?

11:27 - Queue in the "Me, You" meme with Crhis Tucker 🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣 Apperatnly, Ray is a big goof ball 👍👍😂😂🤣🤣😂😂

I actually wanted to know does the school do anything special if one of their students wins a major prize while still in school. Like Ray winning Menuhin at age 18, he must have still been at Curtis.

What a beautiful building

今日、たのしみにしています❤🎉

I have always wanted to. Be here!

You should do a tour of the University of music and performing arts in Vienna, it's a fantastic place! 🎉

Thanks for the tour. So fun!

Life is work, work, and more work!! No different than any professional school. Hellish but memorable.

You made a very nice video, thank you.

Such an eye opener for someone like me who's had a late calling as a musician. Even though learning is a lifelong journey, there's many routes one can take to realize the potential. An amazing privilege to be part of this establishment and community.

A video with Ray and Animal Crossing music in the background is such a vibe

Hey Ray! I enjoyed this video so much. I am not a classical music player, but this insight was so cool ~ Could you film a day in my life? So curious about how you manage everything that goes on in your day. Keep up the great work! :)

If you consider the US to be the whole world, then you are probably right about this institute. I would think that there are places in other parts of the world where you can get an education of similar quality. Maybe there will be less money and self-marketing involved, but the musical abilities of the alumni would be comparable.

I think that all the school is good. But your beauty is god given not acquired.❤

RAY IS MY ROLE MODEL FOR ORCHESTRA! ugh if only i taken classes in middle school for that regret is hitting so hard

Love this good quality content.👏

I wish to go there one day.

Thanks Fabulous insight into a music school. M.

Im very amazed, and inspired about this videos, the interviews with student, and showing the school, is so cool and beautiful, I wish I could studied on one of greatest music schools in USA, thats why in USA has so HIGH level in music, great musical education. I hope some day in México we have something like that, real good music education, I had the bad experience to studied at really bad music university in México, where all the teachers have super high ego, humilating students, and trying to stoped their musical progress, corruption on the direction of faculty, and on the top of university, and the only way to really get more and less good classes and good teachers, is looking for a good one, and paying a lot of money out of the school, I really hope this conditions change in México, and hope some day have something like this wonderful music universitys.

I just performed the Dvorák American String Quartet and was very pleasantly surprised that it was a piece in this video, lol.

Watching this made me , emotional. Probably in another life , i could be walking these Cory doors . And would Have Loved every high and low of it . Choosing this path . POV from (what the western world would categorize as ) 3rd World . 🥲 But this i really Appreciate watching this video , Thank you Mr Ray ✨️💐Thank you✨️💐

This is so cool!

Yay !!!!! Finally the truth is out !!!! Curtis IS THE BEST !!!! Mozart Way. What a great street sign. Sadly what loss was suffered when Eleanor Sokaloff passed away.

how can he be so humble when he got into the best music school when he was 15

12:56 for fangirling over ray

I don't think we should forget about the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music. The mere name alone strikes fear in the heart of any pianist or string players trying to get to the very top. Many don't even bother auditioning. And while the talent out of Curtis is amazing, the talent out of Russia is consistently outstanding as well.