R.M.Glier Kyiv State Higher Music College is the first professional musical educational institution in Ukraine. It was founded in January 18, 1868 attached to the Kyiv Department of the Imperial Musical Association with the purpose to prepare musicians-performers for musical groups and such city organizations as Kyiv Opera, orchestras etc.

The first name of our educational institution was a musical school; from 1883 it has had the name of college (high school).

In the first year of College's being 11 students of five specialties: piano, violin, cello, singing and theory of music with obligatory learning of teaching methods studied in the College. Moreover, choral class existed in the College, and since 1885 opera class was founded. Later on departments of wind and folk instruments were opened in the College, classes of ensemble playing and symphony orchestra were established.

Since 1885 the College has been accepted as "College of complete description".

All those who wished were accepted to the College without limitation of sex, nationality and religion.

From the beginning activity of the College was connected with many famous names of musical culture, among them there are Anton and Mykola Rubinstein, P.Tchaikovsky, S.Rachmaninov and others who interested in creative results, supported achievements of the College, performed at concerts for students and teachers. Such talented musicians as R.Pfening - composer, the first director of the College (1868-1875), M.Lysenko, B.Kaulfus, V.Pukhalsky, F.Blumenfeld, G.Khodorovskiy, K.Mykhailov (piano), Y.Vodolskiy, O.Shevchyk, M.Erdenko (violin), M.Polianichevskiy, V.Mulert (cello), V.Khimichenko (flute), K.Everardi (singing), R.Glier (composition), G.Veriovka (choral conducting), M.Gelis (folk instruments) and others worked in the College.

In 1913 the Musical College was changed into Conservatory and became a part of it as junior and high departments. In 1928 the College separated from the Conservatory as an independent high professional educational institution. In 1956 the College was named after R.M.Glier, outstanding composer, teacher, conductor, director of the Kyiv Conservatory in 1914-1920, graduate of the College, violin class.

There are many prominent musicians among graduates of the College: world known pianists Vladimir Horowitz, famous pianist, composer and teacher Leonid Nikolaev (teacher of D.Shostakovych), famous piano teacher Anna Artobolevska, P.Tchaikovsky's pupil and friend, violinist Yosyp Kotek, famous Ukrainian performer and teacher, bayan-player Mykola Rizol, famous Russian composer Illya Sats, famous Ukrainian composers Levko Revutskiy, Pylyp Kozytskiy, Georgiy and Platon Mayboroda, choral conductor Pavlo Muravskiy, world known scientist musicologist and teacher Boleslav Yavorsky (teacher of M.Leontovuch and G.Veriovka), outstanding singers Mariya Lytvynenko-Volgemut, Dmytro Gnatyuk, Diana Petrynenko and many others, whose contribution in musical art has been recognized by history. Among graduates of last decades we can name the People's Artist of Ukraine, prize winner of the National Premium of T.Shevchenka, singer Valeriy Buymister, outstanding singer, soloist of Vienna Opera House Victoriya Lukianets, Honoured Art Worker of Ukraine, the Main conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine Mykola Dyadyura, People's Artist of Ukraine Taisiya Povaliy and many others names that are proud of the College.

A contribution of the College into a treasure of national and world culture is weighty and incontestable.