Division of Winds, Brass, and Percussion In this Department  Bass Department  Major: Flute, Oboe  Major: Classical Sax  Major: French Horn  Minor: French Horn  Minor: Percussion Catalog  Main Page  General Information   College of Arts and Sciences   Conservatory of Music   Other Links  Course Syllabi  Registrar's Office  George Sakakeeny, Director Woodwind Department James Caldwell, Professor of Oboe Kathleen Chastain, Teacher of Wind Chamber Music and Flute Paul Cohen, Teacher of Saxophone Michel Debost, Professor of Flute TBA, Professor of Clarinet George Sakakeeny, Associate Professor of Bassoon   back to top Major Study: Performance (Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon) Course Requirements Recommended Course Distribution Hrs. Fresh Soph Junior Senior 32 Principal Private Study 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Secondary Private Study (piano)1 2 2 - - - - - - 6 Large ensemble electives2 1 1 - - 1 1 1 1 6 Small ensemble electives3 - - 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory) 3 3 3 3 - - - - 4 MUTH 101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills) 1 1 1 1 - - - - 3 Upper-Division Music Theory elective - - - - - 3 - - 10 Music History electives4 4 - - 3 3 - - - 24 Liberal Arts electives - - 3 3 6 3 6 3 23 Free electives 1 4 4 1 - 4 3 6 124 16 15 16 16 15 16 15 15 Non-Course Requirements Private Study Committee Exams: First Major Committee - ˆ - - - - - - Second Major Committee - - - ˆ - - - - Performance Requirement: Junior Recital5 - - - - (ˆ) (ˆ) - - Senior Recital - - - - - - (ˆ) (ˆ)   1 The Secondary Private Study (piano) requirement must be completed before the senior recital may be scheduled. 2 Six semesters of participation in large ensembles is required, to be chosen from APST 710 (Oberlin Orchestra), APST 711 (Oberlin Chamber Orchestra), and APST 720 (Oberlin Wind Ensemble). Two semesters of this requirement must be earned in Oberlin Wind Ensemble and two semesters must be earned in an orchestra; the remaining two semesters may be any one of the three ensembles. Can be taken for one or two credits. Transfer students are required to participate in a large ensemble every semester of enrollment up to six semesters. 3 To be chosen from APST 800 (Chamber Music), APST 805 (20th Century Chamber Music), APST 723 (Contemporary Music Ensemble), APST 724 (Chamber Winds), or APST 843 (Baroque Ensemble), APST 280 (Prima Vista Group Reading-Woodwind Quintet). Transfer students are required to participate in a small ensemble every semester of enrollment up to six semesters. 4 Two courses in Music History beyond MHST 101 are required. 5 The junior recital requirement may be waived at the discretion of the principal private teacher. In the event that a junior recital is not performed, two appearances on divisional recitals are required prior to the senior recital. Large Ensemble Participation. The Wind Department expects its majors to participate in one of the large ensembles during every semester of enrollment and requires it for six semesters. Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement. Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin. If the minimum passing scores are not achieved for placement in Music Theory I (MUTH 131) and Aural Skills I (MUTH 101), a student must first take Introduction to Music Theory (MUTH 120) and/or Introduction to Aural Skills (MUTH 100). If a student exempts Aural Skills I, II, III, or IV, then Aural Skills V (MUTH 301) becomes the terminal course in the sequence. Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student's aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts with these expectations in consultation with their advisors. Electives. A student should select electives based on the following: a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory courses is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required. Expository Writing Proficiency. Students with an SAT verbal score below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must complete one course chosen from the EXWR 111-119 series.   back to top Major Study: Performance (Classical Saxophone) Course Requirements Recommended Course Distribution Hrs. Fresh Soph Junior Senior 32 Principal Private Study (Saxophone)1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Secondary Private Study (Piano)2 2 2 - - - - - - 6 Large Ensemble electives3 1 1 1 1 - - 1 1 6 Small Ensemble electives4 - - 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 APST 260 (Elementary Conducting) - - 2 - - - - - 12 MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory) 3 3 3 3 - - - - 4 MUTH 101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills) 1 1 1 1 - - - - 6 Upper-Division Music Theory electives - - - - 3 3 - - 10 Music History electives5 4 3 3 - - - - - 24 Liberal Arts electives 1 2 1 3 4 4 5 4 18 Free electives - - - 3 3 3 4 5 124 16 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 Non-Course Requirements Private Study Committee Exams: First Major Committee - ˆ - - - - - - Second Major Committee - - - ˆ - - - -   1 During the first two years of Principal Applied Study, Classical Saxophone, performance majors may study concurrently with both the jazz saxophone instructor and the classical saxophone instructor. The four credits of Principal Private Applied Study are divided equally (two and two) between the two instructors. Students will be permitted to exercise this option only after auditions in both areas and with permission of both instructors and the Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs. 2 The Secondary Private Study (piano) requirement must be completed before the senior recital may be scheduled. 3 To be chosen from APST 720 (Oberlin Wind Ensemble), APST 710 (Oberlin Orchestra), APST 711 (Oberlin Chamber Orchestra), and APST 722 (College-Community Winds), depending on concert repertoire. Up to two credits may be chosen from JAZZ 700 (EnsembleLarge Group). Transfer students are required to participate in a large ensemble every semester of enrollment up to six semesters. 4 To be chosen from APST 805 (20th Century Chamber Music), APST 723 (Contemporary Music Ensemble), APST 724 (Chamber Winds, depending upon repertoire requirements), Saxophone Chamber Music (saxophone quartet or saxophone ensemble). Up to two credits may be chosen from JAZZ 800 (Jazz EnsembleSmall Group). Transfer students are required to participate in a small ensemble every semester of enrollment up to six semesters. 5 Two courses in Music History beyond MHST 101 are required. 6 The junior recital may be waived at the discretion of the principal private teacher. In the event that a junior recital is not performed, two appearances on divisional recitals are required prior to the senior year. The junior and senior recitals may be performed during the first or the second semester, or during Winter Term. The senior recital cannot be given until the junior recital requirement has been satisfied. Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement. Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin. If the minimum passing scores are not achieved for placement in Music Theory I (MUTH 131) and Aural Skills I (MUTH 101), a student must first take Introduction to Music Theory (MUTH 120) and/or Introduction to Aural Skills (MUTH 100). If a student exempts Aural Skills I, II, III, or IV, then Aural Skills V (MUTH 301) becomes the terminal course in the sequence. Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student's aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts with these expectations in consultation with their advisors. Electives. A student should select electives based on the following: a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory courses is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required. Expository Writing Proficiency. Students with an SAT verbal score below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must complete one course chosen from the EXWR 111-119 series. Related Programs. For a description of the majors in Baroque flute and recorder, see the Historical Performance program.   back to top Brass Department Ryan Anthony, Assistant Professor of Trumpet David Brockett, Assistant Professor of Horn Wesley Jacobs, Teacher of Tuba Roy Poper, Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet Milton Stevens, Visiting Professor of Trombone Jack Sutte, Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet back to top Major Study: Performance (French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba) Course Requirements Recommended Course Distribution Hrs. Fresh Soph Junior Senior 32 Principal Private Study 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Secondary Private Study (Piano)1 2 2 - - - - - - 6 Large ensemble electives2 1 1 - - 1 1 1 1 6 Small ensemble electives3 - - 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory) 3 3 3 3 - - - - 4 MUTH 101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills) 1 1 1 1 - - - - 6 Upper-Division Music Theory electives - - - - 3 3 - - 10 Music History electives4 4 3 3 - - - - - 24 Liberal Arts electives - - 3 3 6 3 6 3 20 Free electives - 1 - 3 1 4 4 7 124 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 Non-Course Requirements English 101 Proficiency - ˆ - - - - - - Private Study Committee Exams: First Major Committee - ˆ - - - - - - Second Major Committee - - - ˆ - - - - Third Major Committee - - - - - ˆ - - Performance Requirement: Junior Recital5 - - - - (ˆ) (ˆ) - - Senior Recital5 - - - - - - (ˆ) (ˆ)   1 The Secondary Private Study (piano) requirement must be completed before the senior recital may be scheduled. 2 To be chosen from APST 710 (Oberlin Orchestra), APST 711 (Oberlin Chamber Orchestra), APST 720 (Oberlin Wind Ensemble), APST 721 (Brass Guild of Oberlin), and APST 723 (Contemporary Music Ensemble). A maximum of two credit hours may be elected from JAZZ 700 (Jazz EnsembleLarge Group). French horn majors must take two hours of Chamber Music. Oberlin Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble can be taken for one or two credits. Transfer students are required to participate in two ensembles every semester of enrollment up to six semesters. 3 Two courses in Music History beyond MHST 101 are required. 4 The junior and senior recitals may be performed during the first or the second semester, or during Winter Term. Large Ensemble Participation. The Brass Department expects its majors to participate in one of the large conducted ensembles during every semester of enrollment. The First Major Committee Examination will consist of: 1. The performance of a prepared etude or solo selected by the teacher. 2. A scales test, consisting of the playing of all major and harmonic minor scales: two octaves whenever practical, in sixteenth notes at a quarter note equals 100; trombones: sixteenth notes at a quarter note equals 92. A student who fails this test must repeat it at the end of each semester of study until completed satisfactorily. The Second Major Committee Examination will consist of two parts: 1. The playing of a prepared solo with piano accompaniment. 2. A sight-reading test. (This test will include, for all students, challenging problems of rhythm and interval structure. For trumpet students it will also include the seven basic transpositions from the B-flat and C trumpets. For all trombone students it will include both tenor and bass clefs; for tenor trombonists it will also include alto clef, and for bass trombonists it will also include some use of attachment valves. At the discretion of the Department, a student whose performance on this test does not measure up to departmental standards may be given the opportunity to repeat this part of the Examination at the end of the following semester of study.) The Third Major Committee Examination will consist of: An orchestral audition for which the student will prepare twenty-four standard orchestra audition excerpts, selected by his or her teacher; the faculty committee will choose excerpts from the prepared group as time permits. Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement. Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin. If the minimum passing scores are not achieved for placement in Music Theory I (MUTH 131) and Aural Skills I (MUTH 101), a student must first take Introduction to Music Theory (MUTH 120) and/or Introduction to Aural Skills (MUTH 100). If a student exempts Aural Skills I, II, III, or IV, then Aural Skills V (MUTH 301) becomes the terminal course in the sequence. Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student's aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts with these expectations in consultation with their advisors. Electives. A student should select electives based on the following: a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory courses is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required. Expository Writing Proficiency. Students with an SAT verbal score below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must complete one course chosen from the EXWR 111-119 series.   back to top Minor Study: Performance (Trumpet, trombone, tuba) Course Requirements Completion of at least six semesters of Secondary Private Study on the instrument. Completion of at least four semesters of ensemble study on the instrument. Non-Course Requirements First Minor Committee Examination Second Minor Committee Examination Third Minor Committee Examination These examinations may be taken at any time before graduation, at the discretion of the Department. Eligibility 1. The student must be a degree student in the Conservatory. 2. The student must be recommended by his or her private study teacher. 3. The student must be approved by the Brass Department.   back to top Minor Study:Performance (French horn) Course Requirements Completion of at least six semesters of Secondary Private Study on the instrument. Completion of at least four semesters of ensemble study on the instrument. Non-Course Requirements First Minor Committee Examination: This consists of all of the major and harmonic minor scales, and an unaccompanied etude or solo. Scales are played in 16th notes, slurred or tongued, at quarter note = 80, and are played two octaves in each direction with the lowest scale starting on low F-sharp. Second Minor Committee Examination: This consists of a prepared solo with piano accompaniment and sight reading (no transposition). Third Minor Committee Examination: This consists of 12 prepared orchestral excerpts chosen from a list of 24 supplied by the instructor. Percussion Department Michael Rosen, Professor of Percussion Major Study: Performance (Percussion) Course Requirements Recommended Course Distribution Hrs. Fresh Soph Junior Senior 32 Principal Private Study (Percussion) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Secondary Private Study (Piano)1 2 2 - - - - - - 8 APST 821 (Ensemble for Percussionists)2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 APST 825 (Oberlin Percussion Group) 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 1 12 MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory) 3 3 3 3 - - - - 4 MUTH 101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills) 1 1 1 1 - - - - 7 Music History electives3 4 3 - - - - - - 24 Liberal Arts electives - 2 3 3 6 3 4 3 27 Free electives - - 3 4 3 7 5 5 124 16 16 16 16 15 16 15 14 Non-Course Requirements English 101 Proficiency - ˆ - - - - - - Private Study Committee Exams: First Major Committee - ˆ - - - - - - Second Major Committee - - - ˆ - - - - Performance Requirement: Senior Recital4 - - - - - - (ˆ) (ˆ)   Non-Course Requirements English 101 Proficiency - ÷ - - - - - - Private Study Committee Exams: First Major Committee - ÷ - - - - - - Second Major Committee - - - ÷ - - - - Performance Requirement: Senior Recital4 - - - - - - (÷) (÷) 1 The Secondary Private Study (piano) requirement must be completed before the senior recital may be scheduled. 2 These ensemble electives are chosen by the studio teacher from among APST 710 (Oberlin Orchestra), APST 711 (Oberlin Chamber Orchestra), APST 720 (Oberlin Wind Ensemble), APST 721 (Brass Guild of Oberlin), or APST 723 (Contemporary Music Ensemble). Eight semesters of participation in large ensembles are required. All required ensemble credits must be earned in on-campus ensembles. Students should register for APST 821 (Ensembles for Percussionists) each semester. APST 821 may be taken for one or two credits at the discretion of the instructor. 3 One course in Music History beyond MHST 101 is required. 4 Three performances on a divisional recital or on an honors recital are required before the senior recital. Alternatively, two performances on a divisional or honors recital, plus a junior recital, may precede the senior recital. Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement. Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin. If the minimum passing scores are not achieved for placement in Music Theory I (MUTH 131) and Aural Skills I (MUTH 101), a student must first take Introduction to Music Theory (MUTH 120) and/or Introduction to Aural Skills (MUTH 100). If a student exempts Aural Skills I, II, III, or IV, then Aural Skills V (MUTH 301) becomes the terminal course in the sequence. Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student's aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts with these expectations in consultation with their advisors. Electives. A student should select electives based on the following: a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory courses is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required. Committee Examinations. The examining committee for the First and Second Major Committee Examinations is comprised of the conductors of the large instrumental ensembles and the percussion teacher. Senior Recital. In conjunction with the Senior Recital, majors will present a lecture-demonstration dealing with various aspects of the performance problems relative to the works on the Senior Recital. Expository Writing Proficiency. Students with an SAT verbal score below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must complete one course chosen from the EXWR 111-119 series.   back to top