Conservatory of Music

Classroom Applied Studies

Classroom Applied Studies (100 Level)

110, 111. Piano Class 2 hours

First (110) and Second (111) Semester. A basic one-year course (should be taken in the freshman year) including technique, sight reading, harmonization, improvisation, accompaniment, and piano repertoire. Section numbers below (last two digits) relate to placement levels. Consent of instructor required. Admission by placement/audition. Enrollment Limit: 12. Open only to Conservatory students who must complete a piano requirement.

Mr. Hisey

112. Keyboard Accompanying (Vocal) 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Assignments will be made from repertoire requests submitted by the voice faculty. Students may also make arrangements to accompany specific singers, subject to accompanying faculty's approval. Accompanying projects are supervised by the voice teacher and accompanying faculty. Five hours of weekly contact time are expected, including weekly lessons with accompanying faculty, rehearsals, voice lessons, coachings, but not practice time. Note: May be repeated for credit. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 25. Open to all keyboard players.

Mr. Highfill

113, 114. Keyboard Accompanying (Instrumental) 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Assignments will be made from repertoire requests submitted by the applied faculty. Students are encouraged to make arrangements to accompany specific instrumentalists, subject to accompanying faculty's approval. Accompanying projects will be supervised by the instrumental teacher and accompanying faculty. Five hours of weekly contact time are expected, including weekly master classes with accompanying faculty, rehearsals, lessons, coachings, but not practice time. Note: May be repeated for credit. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 30. Open to all keyboard players.

Mr. Howsmon

120, 121. Voice Class 2 hours

First (120) and Second (121) Semester. Two semester course in the basics of vocal technique and performance. First semester: exploration of good posture, breathing and vowels, developed through individual performances. Second semester: continuation of technical aspects, introduction to International Phonetic Alphabet, and greater emphasis on individual performance. Some outside reading required. Prerequisites: APST 120 is prerequisite to 121. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 8.

Staff

130. Viola Class 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A one-semester course required of all students whose principal applied study is violin. The course is designed to familiarize the student with viola technique and clef reading. Note: This course may be waived by examination. Consent: Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.

Mr. Chase

First Semester. A one-semester course examining various aspects of teaching of all levels of all of the instruments of the woodwind family. This course will include master classes with discussion sessions following. Some writing will be involved. We will have discussions on subjects concerning teaching etiquette, breathing, psychology, etc. The students will give lessons to students invited to the class. Discussions will follow. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.

Ms. Chastain

234. Flute Pedagogy 2 hours

Second Semester. A one-semester course examining the various teaching techniques and methods for beginning through college level flutists. The course will include lectures and teaching observed by the class to be followed by discussion sessions. Participants will also teach supervised private lessons on a pay basis. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 6. Open to flute performance majors.

Ms. Chastain

235. Percussion Instruments 1 hour

Second Semester. Primarily for music education majors. Designed to give students knowledge of the pedagogy of percussion instruments, materials and method books, and methods for building percussion sections of school ensembles. All percussion instruments are demonstrated and basic techniques taught, each student being required to develop basic playing ability. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12.

Mr. Rosen

236. Workshop in Writing for Percussion 2 hours

First Semester. A workshop for composition majors only, concentrating on the problems of writing for percussion instruments and including studies of the characteristics and performance problems of all percussion instruments, notational systems, set-up problems, and orchestrational possibilities. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 6.

Mr. Rosen

240. Continuo Realization at the Keyboard 2 hours

Second Semester. A course in the technique and practice of realizing continuo parts in the music of the Baroque. Prerequisites: MUTH 132 and APST 214. Enrollment Limit: 5. Designed primarily for harpsichord, organ, piano, and music history majors.

Ms. Crawford

242. Baroque Violin for Violinists 1 hour

First Semester. A one-semester course designed to acquaint violinists with the technique, style, and literature of the violin before 1750. Period instruments and bows will be used. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 8.

Ms. McDonald

244. Advanced Baroque Violin for Violinists 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A continuation of the introductory course with an emphasis on the solo repertoire. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 8.

Ms. McDonald

260. Elementary Conducting 2 hours

First Semester. Designed for conservatory students in any major, a course stressing baton technique and score preparation. The development of fundamental conducting approaches for expressive articulations and specific conducting problems. Prerequisites: Completion of MUTH 101 and 131 or the equivalent; some piano proficiency required. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 40. Not open to first-year students.

Ms. Erwin, Ms. Kerchner

261. Instrumental Conducting 2 hours

Second Semester. Designed to emphasize the development and refinement of baton and rehearsal technique, score preparation, and interpretation. Bowing styles, transpositions, and score analysis are included in the orchestral score study. Laboratory experience included. Prerequisite: APST 260. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 20.

Ms. Erwin

262. Choral Conducting 2 hours

Second Semester. Continued development of conducting technique with emphasis on choral rehearsal procedures, vocal development, diction, and choral performance practices. Laboratory experience required (some Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.). Prerequisite: APST 260. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 20.

Ms. Kerchner

272, 273. Stringed Instrument Class 2 hours

First (272) and Second (273) Semester. Includes performance fundamentals on and instructional methods and materials for violin, viola, cello, and double bass with playing experience on these instruments. Prerequisite: APST 272 is prerequisite for 273 except for those students who are at an advanced level of performing ability on a stringed instrument and who have successfully completed an audition/interview with the instructor. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 15.

Ms. Erwin

274, 275. Woodwind Instrument Class 2 hours

First (274) and Second (275) Semester. Includes performance fundamentals on and instructional methods and materials for at least three woodwind instruments. Prerequisite: APST 274 is a prerequisite for 275 except for those students who are at an advanced level of performing ability on a woodwind instrument and who have successfully completed an audition/interview with the instructor. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12.

Mr. J. Knight

276, 277. Brass Instrument Class 2 hours

First (276) and Second (277) Semester. Includes performance fundamentals on and instructional methods and materials for at least three brass instruments. Prerequisite: APST 276 is a prerequisite for 277 except for those students who are at an advanced level of performing ability on a brass instrument and who have successfully completed an audition/interview with the instructor. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12.

Mr. J. Knight

280. Prima Vista Group Reading (Woodwind Quintet) 1 hour

First Semester. A discovery workshop for woodwind and horn students to develop reading ability and ensemble flexibility. Note: One semester will count toward small ensemble requirement of wind/brass students. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10 ( 2 per instrument.)

Mr. Debost

282. Viola Orchestral Repertoire Class 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A continuing study of those excerpts often required for orchestral auditions. Four to seven pieces will be covered per semester. Note: May be repeated for credit. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 6.

Mr. Slowik

284. Orchestra Repertoire for Violin 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Repertoire will be chosen from works most frequently encountered at orchestral auditions. Emphasis will be on bowing styles and general techniques used in orchestral playing at the professional level. An attempt will be made to coordinate the repertoire with that of the Oberlin orchestras. Two simulated orchestral auditions will be required. Notes: May be repeated for credit. CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.

Mr. Fulkerson

285. Orchestra Repertoire for Double Bass 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Concentrated study and preparation of orchestral literature requested at professional orchestra auditions. Repertoire scheduled to be performed by the Oberlin orchestras may be incorporated into the coursework. A simulated professional audition with adjudication will be required at the end of each semester. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.

Mr. Sperl

(These courses may be repeated for credit.)

A student may elect to take a large ensemble (Musical Union, Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, Oberlin Wind Ensemble, Opera Chorus, Collegium Musicum, Oberlin College Community Strings, College-Community Winds, Oberlin Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Ensemble for Percussionists) for "0" credit if: the student's schedule is at 17 hours before the large ensemble credit is added; approval is given by the student's Conservatory advisor(s); final approval is given by the assistant dean.

600. Performance Ensembles (Artist Diploma) 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Students are assigned by the major teacher to various performing groups in consultation with the conductors or supervisors of these groups. Open only to students enrolled in the Artist Diploma program.

Staff

700. Musical Union 1 hour

First and Second Semester. An organization dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of large choral masterworks. Two major concerts are presented yearly. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 100. Open to all members of the College community.

Mr. Floyd

701. Oberlin College Choir 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A large select ensemble which performs a broad spectrum of a cappella and accompanied choral literature from all periods. Presents on-campus concerts and off-campus performance tours. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 60.

Mr. Floyd

703. Chamber Choir 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A chamber vocal ensemble of 16 to 20 experienced singers. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 24.

Mr. Floyd

704. Opera Chorus 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Participation and performance in the Opera Chorus of a major Opera Theater production. Since not all operas contain substantial chorus material, credit will be available only for those operas providing significant choruses. Notes: Credit availability will be determined by the Opera Theater director, conductor, and choral director. CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 30.

Mr. Field

710. Oberlin Orchestra 1-2 hours

First and Second Semester. A full symphony orchestra dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of primarily large-scaled masterworks. Normally, five orchestral programs and one opera production yearly. Notes: Students may elect the two-credit option following consultation with advisor. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 110.

Staff

711. Oberlin Chamber Orchestra 1-2 hours

First and Second Semester. A chamber orchestra dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of appropriately scaled masterworks. Normally, five chamber orchestra programs and one opera production yearly. Note: Students may elect the two-credit option following consultation with advisor. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 75.

Staff

712. Trombone Choir 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Trombone Choir provides trombone majors and secondary students an opportunity to perform original music and transcriptions. The purpose of this ensemble is to apply our foundational work in lessons and to perfect sound, pitch, and ensemble playing. During the Baroque Period, the trombone was referred to as the voice of an angel. Our goal is to sound like the voice of an angel. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 25.

Mr. DeSano

714. Trumpet Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Coaching in section playing in standard orchestral repertoire and of works written for trumpet ensemble. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 16.

Staff

720. Oberlin Wind Ensemble 1-2 hours

First and Second Semester. An ensemble that performs literature of widely varying styles and periods. Repertory also varies in size from unconducted quartets up to large scale symphonic works. Three concerts are given each semester. Note: Students may elect the two-credit option following consultation with advisor. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 50.

Mr. Weiss

722. College-Community Winds 1 hour

First and Second Semester. An organization specializing in reading, preparing, and performing music written for band. One concert presented each semester. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 75. Open to all members of the college, conservatory and community.

Mr. J. Knight

723. Contemporary Music Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A select group performing three concerts each semester that focuses on recent works by composers of very diverse styles and background with occasional masterworks from the twentieth century. Faculty and student composers are presented each year. Frequently the ensemble works directly with composers invited to campus. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 50.

Mr. Weiss

725. Oberlin College Community Strings 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Preparation and performance of selected repertoire for string orchestra. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 50. Open by audition to all members of the college, conservatory and town communities.

Mr. Highfill

730. Collegium Musicum 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque music. Two major concerts yearly. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 40.

Mr. Plank

750. Javanese Gamelan 1 hour

Second Semester. Beginning instruction in an ensemble of bronze gongs and keyed instruments from central Java in Indonesia. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12.

Mr. R. Knight

751. Performing the Music of India 1 hour

Next offered 2003-2004.

Registration procedures for APST 800, 805, 806, 810. Students wishing to enroll for APST 800, 805, 806, or 810 must fill out a chamber music form available from the Associate Dean's Office, at the beginning of the semester. Students add APST 800, 805, 806, 810 to their schedules only after being assigned to an ensemble. Assignments are made by the Associate Dean's Office in consultation with faculty.

800. Chamber Music 1 hour

First and Second Semester. See registration procedures above. Since it may not be possible to assign all students to a faculty coach, priority in placement in a group is given to upperclass students who need to complete an ensemble requirement. Individual ensembles may be offered for CR/NE only at the discretion of the ensemble coach. Consent of dean required. Enrollment Limit: 15.

Staff

802. Orchestral Repertoire for Woodwinds 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A study of works from the standard repertoire with emphasis on concepts of style and ensemble. Notes: May be repeated for credit a maximum of two times. One semester may be used toward the small ensemble requirement for woodwind students. Consent of instructor required. Priority will be given to third, fourth and fifth-year students. Enrollment Limit: 12 (3 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 3 bassoons).

Staff

804. Orchestral Repertoire for Brasses 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A study of works from the standard repertoire with emphasis on concepts of style and ensemble. Note: May be repeated for credit a maximum of three times. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Enrollment limited to a maximum of two standard symphony orchestra brass sections, with priority given to third-, fourth-, and fifth-year students.

Mr. DeSano

805. Contemporary Chamber Music 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Same as APST 800, except that the repertoire covered is limited to 20th-century music of such composers as Schoenberg, Berg, Webern, Stravinsky, Bartok, Hindemith, and living composers. Note: Registration and credit procedures are the same as for APST 800. Consent of dean required.

Staff

806. Advanced String Quartet Seminar 2 hours

First and Second Semester. A performance class designed around a body of repertoire by the same composer. Examples include Beethoven Op.18, 59 or late quartets; Brahms quartets; Dvorák Quartets, etc. Each string quartet will receive one coaching and participate in the weekly two-hour class meetings. The class will focus on performance issues e.g., strokes, intonation and sound, and will culminate in performances of the complete works. Prerequisite: One semester of previous work together required. Note: Registration and credit procedures are the same as APST 800. Consent of dean required. Enrollment Limit: 12 (three quartets).

Staff

810. Piano Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. See registration procedures above. Since it may not be possible to assign all students to a faculty coach, priority is given in placement in an ensemble to upperclass students. Consent of dean required. Enrollment Limit: 5 per section.

Staff

812. Double Bass Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Preparation and performance of ensemble repertoire for Double Bass (duos, trios, quartets, etc.). Consent of instructor required.

Mr. Haigh

814. Harp Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Includes a variety of activities and topics designed to address many aspects of career preparation, such as group study of orchestral excerpts, harp ensemble repertoire, stage presentation, performance techniques, practice and tuning skills, harp maintenance, and pedagogy. All harp majors are required to attend harp ensemble during each year of study at Oberlin, whether taking the class for credit or auditing. Consent of instructor required.

Ms. Kondonassis

815. Guitar Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. This course will cover ensemble repertoire for guitarists (trios, quartets, etc.). Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 8. Open to guitar majors.

Mr. Aron

816. Horn Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Coaching in section playing from quartet to octet in standard orchestral repertoire, and one recital each semester of works written for horn ensemble. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 16.

Mr. Pandolfi

820. Ensembles for Harpists 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Harp students taking this course will be assigned by the major teacher to various performing groups of the school in consultation with the conductors of those groups and in accordance with their needs. Hours according to meeting times of the various ensembles. Note: CR/NE grading.

Ms. Kondonassis

821. Ensemble for Percussionists 1-2 hours

First and Second Semester. Percussion students taking this course will be assigned by the major teacher to various performing groups of the school in consultation with the conductors of those groups and in accordance with their needs. Hours according to meeting times of the various ensembles. Notes: Students may elect the two-credit option in consultation with advisor. CR/NE grading.

Mr. Rosen

822. Ensembles for Guitarists 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Includes the assignment of guitarists to chamber music groups or to larger ensembles as needed. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 8.

Mr. Aron

825. Oberlin Percussion Group 1 hour

First and Second Semester. Percussion majors taking this course will develop skills in finding the right sound, applying techniques learned, nurturing a keen sense of ensemble playing, and gaining valuable performing experience outside of Oberlin. The major objective of this course is to premiere new works. The group rehearses a minimum of four hours per week.

Mr. Rosen

830. Mandinka Ensemble 1 hour

First Semester. Beginning instruction in one of the world's major musical traditions, the Mandinka of West Africa. Instruments are the 21-string kora (bridge harp), xylophone, drums, and voice. Prerequisite: Prior experience on any instrument or voice preferred but not required.
Enrollment Limit: 12.

Mr. R. Knight

841. Viola da Gamba Consort 1 hour

First and Second Semester. A survey of sixteenth and seventeenth century consort literature for three to seven viols. First semester open to players with some experience. Second semester open to students who have completed the Winter Term beginning gamba class, as well as to advanced players. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.

Ms. Meints

843. Baroque Ensemble 1 hour

First and Second Semester. The class is designed for players of historical instruments: e.g., baroque flute, baroque violin, baroque recorder, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and for singers. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. Students add APST 843 to their schedules only after being assigned to an ensemble. Admission by audition. Enrollment Limit: 30.

Staff

844. Renaissance Recorder Ensemble 1-2 hours

First and Second Semester. Study of performance on Renaissance recorders. Repertoire is chosen from a different area of concentration each semester. Notes: The one-hour credit option requires one coached rehearsal per week as well as outside practice and rehearsal. The two-hour credit option requires an additional one-hour per week for preparation of a performance/research project involving source materials related to the music or playing of Renaissance recorders. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.

Ms. Melville

Classroom Applied Studies

Classroom Applied Studies (100 Level)

Classroom Applied Studies (200 Level)

Classroom Applied Studies (300 Level)

Classroom Applied Studies (400 Level)

Classroom Applied Studies (500 Level)

Classroom Applied Studies (600 Level)

Ensembles