Auditions and Application

The Secondary Lesson Instructional Link & Contact Info 
* Audition Repertoire & Faculty emails by Instrument
* Some depts wait until 1 day before add/drop for approval - stay tuned to your e-mail! (FAQ Link)
* Questions about your audition/link or when you will receive consent? Please E-Mail the Faculty Sponsors (link) directly.

Info: Practice Rooms, Lockers, Keys & Instrument Rentals FAQ! (Link)

Please DO NOT submit the Online Secondary Lesson Application unless...
you are sure you want lessons for 2 credits AND have enough room in your schedule for 2 credits! 
* New Students - Make sure you have a link to an audio or video performance (your audition requirement) before you begin your application.
* Make sure your T-Number is correct and your official legal or preferred name is entered correctly.

The Online Secondary Lesson Application Link for Fall 2026 is now closed!
* The application for spring 2027 semester will open on January 15th, 2027.
* All new & returning students must fill out the online application each semester, 
however most returning students will not be required to copy & paste another audition link.
* The Spring 2027 Secondary Lesson Application is due Wednesday, February 3rd, 2027.
* Approved students must then register prior to Add/Drop deadline on Wednesday, February 10th, 2027. 
* The secondary lesson general syllabus (link) and student teacher eligibility (link) are listed on the website.
* Lessons w/o credit are only offered through Oberlin's Community Music School.
* Student teachers should not fill out this application or register - please visit the
"For Student Teachers" site for instructions regarding pedagogy & student pay.
 

New students are introduced to music opportunities during Orientation. Students can meet faculty and student groups, and learn about applied study (secondary lessons) programs as well as large and small ensemble opportunities.

Students without previous secondary lesson credit on an instrument who want lessons for 2 credits must submit a  Secondary Lesson Application & Audition (link) prior to the first week of classes in the fall and/or spring semester. Please see the Secondary Audition Instructional Link or Faculty & Staff Contacts (link) if you need additional information regarding the audition process, times, repertoire, and dates. Please look at your schedule to make sure you can add 2 credits before the add/drop deadline - Some students must apply for Overload (link) in order to add secondary lessons to their schedule. All students must individually register online by the add/drop deadline.

Overload (Max Credits): Some students may be at max credits and need to complete a Course Course Overload Form (link) in order to accommodate their secondary lesson(s). Arts and sciences students must apply for the overload through the Academic Advising Resource Center (link) in order to add their lesson above hours; and conservatory and double-degree students must submit an overload form (link) to the Office of the Associate Deans (link) in order to add additional credits above their limit. 

Note: Arts & Sciences students starting their first semester are not permitted to overload (more than 19 credits).

If you have been assigned or already know you wish to take lessons without credit please refer to information about Student-Taught Lessons Without Credit (link). 

Most returning students will not need to reaudition as long as they have been no more than two consecutive semesters away from their lessons. Returning students will, however, need to complete a new Secondary Lesson Application (link) each semester in order to re-activate consent and confirm teacher assignment & faculty sponsor. All students must individually register online by the add/drop deadline.

If you have been assigned or already know you wish to take lessons without credit please refer to information about Student-Taught Lessons Without Credit (link). 

What if I want to change my lessons next semester?

Please visit the Secondary Lesson Application and Audition Link which will have more detailed information about what is required at each audition. If you still have questions, you may contact the Faculty Sponsors (link) for more information regarding audition repertoire.

How do I submit an audition link? Please create a video or audio recording of yourself and then create a link. You can do this by saving your file in your Oberlin Google Drive and making the video available to anyone that has access to the link. Then copy and paste the link within the online application when the link field is prompted. Please contact the Faculty Sponsors (link) if you have difficulty submitting an audition link, have specific question about the audition/placement, or would like to request to audition in person. Some jazz instruments require an in-person audition instead of or in addition to your audition link - please follow their instructions.

General requirements 

• Voice: one classical composition (memorization required - usually and art song or aria).
• Piano: two contrasting works (portions heard; memorization preferred).
• String: one work representative of ability (memorization not required).
• Jazz: one piece that best demonstrates performer’s ability on instrument.
• Comp/Tech: Two original compositions. (If available, submit scores, recordings, and accompanying program/technical notes.)
• Other instruments: two contrasting compositions or movements (memorization not required).

General audition information 

• Auditions last 5-15 minutes depending on the instrument.
• Auditions may include demonstration of skills (scales, sight-reading, harmonization, by ear playing) as requested by auditioners.
• (Jazz) Unaccompanied improvisation on the blues may be requested.

For Beginners: Students without prior experience on an instrument like Voice, Organ, Piano, or Composition are encouraged to register for a beginning APST class before applying for Secondary Lessons (PVST.)

Secondary piano Audition information can be found once the online Secondary Audition Instructional link. 

New students who are BM or DD conservatory non-piano majors should schedule an online audition for piano placement prior to or during Orientation week. Please email Andrea McAlister if you have missed the sign-ups.

Returning BM or DD conservatory non-piano majors interested in secondary lessons or placing out of their piano requirement may submit an audition request during the first week of classes. Please complete the online Secondary lesson application and email Professor Andrea McAlister for more information.

New and returning BM or DD conservatory non-piano majors without prior piano experience who are required to take piano class (APST 110) for their major must email Jeanne Rosecrans to confirm they wish to be placed in APST 110 and do not need to submit a placement audition. Incoming students who are required to take piano will be pre-registered for a section. See your schedule.

New and returning BA arts and sciences students interested in taking secondary piano lessons may submit an Secondary Lesson Application and Audition (link) before/during the first week of classes. Students may be placed into private lessons with student teachers or faculty for credit-bearing lessons. Space is limited. Beginning Piano courses for A&S students are also available.

Repertoire: Students may be asked to sight read, harmonize, and play a few scales and chords. One solo may be prepared that represents your highest level of playing but is not required.

Spring semester: Space is limited during spring semester. Please email Professor Andrea McAlister regarding a spring audition and placement, and secondary piano instruction. If approved please complete the Secondary Lesson Application Form (link)Secondary Lesson Application Form (link).

Additional Information Regarding the Secondary Lesson Application and Audition Instructions:

The Online Secondary Lesson Application link for New and Returning Students will be activated a few weeks prior to the beginning of each semester and will be removed one week prior to the add/drop deadline to allow time for processing and lessons assignments. (Students must use their Obie E-Mails for online access.) New and returning students will be required to submit the application each semester in order to request consent for two credits of secondary lessons. Consent will not rollover each semester. Students are not automatically registered once approved! Students will also have access to the link in OberView during the active application period.

The Online Secondary Audition Instructional link lists repertoire, audition, deadlines, faculty sponsor contacts, and additional requirements for each specific instrument. Most auditions will be submitted within the application using a video link; however, some jazz students may be required to schedule an audition via Zoom, in person, or contact the department/instrument chair for further instructions during the first week of classes. Please review the audition instrument instructions for your instrument prior to submitting your application. 
Deadline: Audition/Application deadlines vary but are generally due by the end of the first week of classes - One week prior to add/drop.

Please Note: Returning Students who have not taken secondary lessons for two consecutive semesters must re-submit a video audition link along with their application. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the Faculty Sponsors (link) of that instrument.

Students approved for secondary lessons for credit will be notified via email of their placement with registration instructions, and must register for lessons just prior to the add/drop deadline. Please note that some departments hold all applications and submit final approvals as late as 1 day just prior to add/drop. Please keep checking your e-mail and save room in your schedule for 2 credits (we do not offer lessons for audit, 0, or 1 credit!)