History of the Sibelius Academy
The Sibelius Academy, located in the centre of Helsinki, was founded in 1882, and received its present name in 1939. The name of the Academy derives from the supreme position held by Jean Sibelius in the history of Finnish music. Sibelius was a student at the Academy (then Helsingin Musiikkiopisto) from 1885 - 90. He studied both violin and composition and his compositions were frequently performed in concerts at the Academy. During 1890 - 92 Sibelius taught music theory at the Academy and later also composition.
In 1966 the Academy was granted the status of an institution of higher education. It was a private college until 1980, when the administrative reforms made it subordinate to the state. The degree structure and administration were revised that same year. The Sibelius Academy enjoys university status since 1998 as a state music college and is an integral part of the system of higher education in Finland. It is the only university of music in this country and the largest in Scandinavia.