中國音樂學院建院於一九六四年九月，由原北京藝術學院和中央音樂學院的部份科系合併組建而成。是一所專門培養民族音樂表演、創作、研究及教學的學府，初建時設民族樂器系、聲樂系、歌劇系、理論系、作曲系、少數民族班，並設附屬中學及中國音樂研究所，其後發展增收碩士研究生，又設有創作部和實驗樂團。歷任院長有安波、李凌、厲聲、李西安……等等。
China Conservatory Founded in 1964. It was originally combined by the Beijing Arts School and some of the faculties of the Central Conservatory. It was specialised in the performing arts, composition, research and education in folk and traditional music. In the early years, there were the faculties of instrumental, vocal, opera, theory, composition etc., togehter with the secondary school and research institute. Later the master degree classes, creation department and the experimental orchestras were also established. Previous principals included LI Ling, LI Sheng, LI Xian etc.