National Academy of Music "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov"

The National Academy of Music ‘Prof. Pancho Vladigerov’ in Sofia developed from a private music school founded in 1904, which became a state school in 1912. A royal decree of 21 July 1921 established the State Academy of Music, initially directed by Dimitar Hadjigeorgiev. Renamed the Bulgarian State Conservatory in 1954, it was organised into faculties of Theory, Composition and Conducting, Instrumental Studies, and Vocal Studies. It adopted the name State Academy of Music ‘Pancho Vladigerov’ in 1995 and its present national designation in 2006. Alongside professional teaching, the academy supports concert performance, research and music collections. Its performing traditions include an academic orchestra established in 1928 under Sasha Popov and an opera studio founded in 1950.