Program Overview

Harp

Study of the harp is centered on the broad experiences of our faculty who provide students with rigorous instruction tailored to their needs and goals as a musician. We seek to develop students’ talents to the highest musical and professional levels through private lessons, a range of performance opportunities, and more. The bachelor of music program in harp encompasses private instruction leading to thorough development in technique, style, musicianship, interpretation, pedagogy, and repertoire coupled with essential opportunities to perform in chamber and improvisational ensembles, contemporary music ensembles, and orchestras. The program includes the weekly harp seminar, harp ensemble, and courses in music theory and music history.

Conservatory student harpist plays with the Oberlin Orchestra during its Chicago concert tour
Conservatory student harpist plays with the Oberlin Orchestra during its Chicago concert tour.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko

Program Facts

  • Program Type: Major
    • Bachelor of Music (BM)
  • Division: Strings

Strings Division Director

Sibbi Bernhardsson,
Professor of Violin

Contact

Diane Evans, Associate Professor of Harp
devans1@oberlin.edu
student harpist
Student harpist performs with Oberlin Musical Union in Finney Chapel.
Photo credit: John Seyfried

Performance Ensemble

Oberlin produces nearly 500 concerts on campus each year—from recitals by students, faculty, and guest artists to concerts by the more than 25 student ensembles. The conservatory and college present performances to satisfy any musical interest covering a multitude of genres from classical to jazz to contemporary; acoustic to electronic to computer-generated; and from time-tested masterworks to music created now.

Performance Ensembles

Winter Term

Oberlin’s four-week winter term in January encourages students to discover the value of self-directed education. You may pursue individual or group projects that are directly linked to your field of study or explore opportunities unrelated to your major. Complete your project on or off campus.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Student Senate, Chess Club, Solarity, the Oberlin Review—these are among the more than 175 student groups and clubs available to you. From politics to faith and identity, and from special interest to sports, Oberlin has an array of clubs eager for new members, new ideas, and new leadership.

Sample Courses

  • APST 814 - Harp Majors Seminar (2 credits)
  • MUTH 314 - Music & Emotion (4 credits)
  • APST 140 - Internalizing Rhythms (1 credit)
  • MHST 301 - Introduction to Music Research and Writing (4 credits)
Curriculum and requirements

Harp Faculty

Conservatory faculty maintain active performance schedules while remaining accessible and committed to their students. Individual instruction is paramount to helping students develop their mechanical, technical, stylistic, psychological, and musical skills.

My goal is to offer students a boost onto the shoulders of harpists and other musicians who have come before, so they may reach high and gain a wider perspective on today’s new horizons. This is an environment that nurtures an explosion of creative and intellectual growth, where students have wide latitude to pursue their passions.

Diane Evans, Associate Professor of Harp

Explore Faculty within Harp

Harp News

View all Harp news

Life After Oberlin

Notable Oberlin Alumni

Trina Struble ’91

Principal Harp of The Cleveland Orchestra

Lynnelle Ediger-Kordzaia ’92

Founder and Director of GreenSpring International Academy of Music

Jennifer Ellis ’10

Harp Instructor at Mills College