In 1806, a Chair in Music was created in the University of Edinburgh. General John Reid (1721-1807) had made a 'generous' provision in his will for a 'Professorship of Music in the College and University of Edinburgh'. However, it was not until 1839 that John Thomson was appointed as the Reid Professor of Music. This meant that Edinburgh was the first British university (after Oxford and Cambridge) to have a permanent Chair in the subject.

In 1860, the Reid School of Music in Teviot Place was built as a classroom and concert hall.

In 1891, new Ordinances provided for 'Regulations for Degrees in Music'. In 1894, this was approved by Parliament and the Music Faculty now exisited in its own right. Previously, the Reid Chair came under the aegis of the Faculty of Arts.

In 1967, the Faculty moved to Alison House in Nicolson Square.