The Karl Maria von Weber University of Music at Dresden has the best educational facilities of its kind in Germany. The institution was opened on 1 February 1856 by the violinist of the Royal Sachsischen Court Chapel Friedrich Trostler. In 1937 it became the property of the city and became «Conservatoire of the State Capital Dresden — Academy for Music and Theatres». In 1952 the conservatoire became a national university of music and took the title of «Karl Maria von Weber» in 1959.

The training of orchestral instruments benefits from the institute’s close connection to the Dresdner Philharmonic Concert Hall. The symphony orchestra provides a constant source of energy to the concert life in Dresden.

Composition and music theory cover a range of styles from electronic music to Jazz/Rock/Pop composition arranging. The institute of fers instruction in musical theatre and ballet. This course of studies is closely connected with the courses of studies orchestral and choral conducting courses, under the tutelage and experience of professional conductors.