Catalog HOME General Information College of Arts and Science Conservatory of Music   General Guidelines   Facilities   Instrument Collection   Degrees & Diploma   Requirements for Graduation   Academic Advising & Standing   Enrollment   Grading   Major & Minor Study   Transfer of Credit   Advanced Credit   Concerts & Recitals   Miscellaneous Information   Summer Programs Double-Degree Program Registrars Office Arts and Sciences Division of Keyboard Studies Organ Department David Boe, Professor of Organ and Harpsichord; Chair James David Christie, Professor of Organ Major Study: Performance (Organ) Course Requirements Recommended Course Distribution Hrs.   Fresh Soph Junior Senior 32 Principal Private Study (Organ) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 8 Ensemble electives1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 MLIT 213, 214 (Organ Literature, History and Design)2 - - - - 3 3 - - 2 APST 214 (Keyboard Skills I) - - - - 2 - - - 2 APST 215 (Keyboard Skills II) or APST 216 (Improvisation at the Organ)3 - - - - - 2 - - 12 MUTH 130 or 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 - - 13 Music History electives4 4 3 3 3 - - - - 24 Liberal Arts electives 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 15 Free electives - 1 1 1 - - 6 6 124   16 16 16 16 16 16 14 14 Non-Course Requirements Private Study Committe Exams: First Major Committee - X - - - - - - Second Major Committee - - - X - - - - Third Major Committee - - - - X - - - Performance Requirement: Junior Recital5, 6 - - - - (X) (X) - - Senior Recital6 - - - - - - (X) (X) 1 Organ majors must satisfactorily complete eight semesters of ensemble, of which two must be in singing groups. In the remaining six semesters students may choose to participate in any of the ensembles listed in the catalog as part of the Conservatory curriculum. In addition, if qualified, they may elect to count the following courses toward the ensemble requirement: APST 204 (Interpretation of Art Song); MLIT 220 (The Lied); and MLIT 221 (The Mélodie). 2 Because MLIT 213, 214 is offered in alternate years only, it must be taken in either the junior or senior year. 3 Two semesters of keyboard skills are required; organ majors may elect to take APST 216 (Improvisation at the Organ) in place of APST 215 (Keyboard Skills II). 4 Three courses in music history beyond MHST 101 are required. 5 Two performances on a divisional or studio recital, or on an honors recital are required before the junior recital. 6 The junior and senior recitals may be performed during the first or the second semester, or during Winter Term. Major Status. Sophomore Major Status is attained upon completion of: The First Major Committee Examination. Junior Major Status is attained upon completion of: Principal Private Study IV (Organ) and the Second Major Committee Examination. Senior Major Status is attained upon completion of: Principal Private Study VI (Organ), the Third Major Committee Examination, and the Junior Recital. 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. Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I (MUTH 130 or 131) 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 course work is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required. First Private Study Committee Examination. This examination will consist of approximately 10 minutes of solo music, prepared with the major teacher, to be performed from memory for the organ faculty at the end of the freshman year. In addition, two hymns are to be played: one chosen and prepared by the student; one to be read at sight. Total duration of this exam: 15 minutes. Transfer students with two or more semesters of organ credit will not be required to take this examination. No grades are given for this exam; it is advisory in nature. Comments will be offered by the faculty. Second Private Study Committee Examination. This examination, to be played for the organ faculty at the end of the sophomore year, will consist of the following items: 1. A piece of approximately 12 minutes duration, prepared with the major teacher, to be performed from memory. 2. A self-chosen and self-learned piece of approximately six minutes duration, which may be played from score. (Both pieces should take no longer than 18 minutes to play.) 3. Sight reading of a chorale harmonization and a trio. This examination will be graded pass/fail and must be passed in order for the student to continue as an organ performance major. Total duration: 25 minutes. Third Private Study Committee Examination. This examination, to be played for the organ faculty at the end of the first semester of the junior year, or at the end of the fifth semester of study, will consist of three parts: 1. A piece chosen by the faculty and announced two weeks before the examination date; this music is to be self-prepared, without help from the major teacher or others. 2. More advanced sight reading of chorale harmonizations and trios. 3. Transposition of a hymn harmonization up or down by a half or whole step. This examination will be graded, and comments will be written by the faculty. Students who do not receive an average grade of B- or better on this examination will be required to repeat it at the end of the following semester. Total duration: 20 minutes. Junior Recital. This will consist of solo pieces performed from memory. The maximum length shall be 35 minutes. Minimum length shall be 25 minutes. The junior recital may be performed during the first or second semester, or during Winter Term. Senior Recital. This will consist of at least 50 minutes of solo repertoire and may be played from score. In addition, ensemble pieces may be included. The senior recital may be performed during the first or second semester, or during Winter Term. Secondary Study. Although it is not a requirement, freshman organ majors are encouraged to study piano or harpsichord as a secondary applied study. 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 RHET 111-119 series. Minor Study: Performance (Organ) Course Requirements. Completion of at least six semesters of Secondary Private Study (Organ). Non-Course Requirements First Minor Committee Examination after two semesters of Secondary Private Study (Organ). Second Minor Committee Examination after four semesters of Secondary Private Study (Organ). One departmental recital appearance. Eligibility The student must be in a Bachelor's Degree Program in the Conservatory. The student must be recommended by his or her private study teacher.