General. The Conservatory provides pre-professional training
in music performance, composition, music education, music technology,
music theory, and music history. Students may earn one or more of
the following undergraduate and graduate degrees: Bachelor of Music,
Performance Diploma, Artist Diploma, Master of Music, Master of Music
in Teaching, or Master of Music Education.
These programs are designed to develop the sensitivity, understanding
and insights, as well as the knowledge, skills, and technical competence
essential to professional musicians. Conservatory graduates pursue
music careers as performers, conductors, composers, directors, music
theorists, historians, and educators. They are employed in major symphony
orchestras, opera houses and companies, regional and municipal orchestras,
jazz groups, youth orchestras, chamber music ensembles, major film
studios, churches, primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities,
conservatories of music, and as free-lance artists, both in the United
States and abroad.
General Information
The Conservatory of Music was founded in 1865 as a private music school.
Two years later it became part of Oberlin College. It currently has
an annual enrollment of over 550 music students.
Relation to the College of Arts and Sciences. The Conservatory
of Music and the College of Arts and Sciences share the same campus.
As a result, Conservatory students may take courses in both the College
of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory and can simultaneously pursue
majors in both divisions, earning a Bachelor of Music degree and a
Bachelor of Arts degree within a five-year program.
Many College of Arts and Sciences students pursue Conservatory courses,
study music, and perform in Conservatory ensembles.
Concerts and Recitals. The Conservatory offers an extraordinary
array of performances; over four hundred concerts and recitals are
presented annually. In 2002-2003 there were 67 recitals by faculty
and guest artists, 220 Senior and Junior recitals, and 104 concerts
by student ensembles and other groups. The Conservatory also presents
an annual series of faculty chamber music concerts.
Artist Recital Series. The Oberlin Artist Recital Series has,
over the past century, brought to Oberlin an impressive array of internationally
acclaimed solo performers, outstanding chamber ensembles, and major
orchestras. Celebrating its 125th season, the Artist Recital Series
continues to offer rich musical experiences to the Oberlin community.