
Bethlehem Academy of Music was founded in 1997 with a view to redressing the problem of minimal existing music education provision in the Palestinian school curriculum.
The Academy incorporates two main academic arms. Its General Institute (which began operating in September 1997) caters for students aged 8 to 18 years who are interested in pursuing a music education in parallel to their regular schooling. Its Higher Institute caters for mature students aged 19 years or over. The Academy also incorporates the Bethlehem Philharmonic Society and a Music Library, an Orchestra and a regular season of professional concerts and recitals for the general public.