Recording and Performance Spaces

clean and open recording studio
Clonick Recording Studio
Photo credit: Kevin G. Reeves

Our facilities present students with a range of scenarios from the simple setting of a concert hall to more sophisticated spaces with dedicated control rooms, equipment, and peripheral audio capabilities. 

Clonick Hall

Housed in the Bertram and Judith Kohl Building, Clonick Hall is the conservatory’s premier recording studio. It also hosts recitals, lectures, and multimedia presentations by students, faculty, and guests.

Recording sessions:

  • Contemporary Music Ensemble
  • Sinfonietta
  • Chamber ensembles
  • Special projects and guest artists
  • Oberlin Music label recordings

Recording, livestreaming, and sound reinforcement:

  • Student degree recitals

Finney Chapel

With seating for 1,200, Finney Chapel is the largest performance space on campus. The chapel is noted for its excellent acoustics, and the monumental C.B. Fisk pipe organ makes it a recital destination for organ students and guest artists.

Recording sessions:

  • Oberlin Orchestra

Recording, livestreaming, and sound reinforcement:

  • Oberlin Orchestra
  • Arts & Sciences Orchestra
  • Oberlin Jazz Ensemble

Record and sound reinforcement:

  • Artist Recital Series

Warner Concert Hall

This 496-seat hall adjoins the Conservatory of Music and is used for numerous student and faculty recitals, as well as recording sessions. The hall now features a 44-stop Flentrop organ with 3,400 pipes and a Spanish Baroque organ.

Recording sessions:

  • Oberlin Orchestra

Record, livestream, and sound reinforcement:

  • Contemporary Music Ensemble
  • Sinfonietta
  • Student degree recitals
  • Oberlin Music label recordings

Kulas Recital Hall

Located in the conservatory’s Central Unit, 148-seat Kulas Recital Hall is a popular venue for student, faculty, and guest recitals and master classes.

Record and Livestream:

  • Student degree recitals

Stull Recital Hall

David H. Stull Hall hosts events for up to 120 guests on the top floor of the conservatory’s signature building, Bibbins Hall.

Record, livestream, and sound reinforcement:

  • Student degree recitals

Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse

This flexible performance space for up to 325 people is a relaxed and friendly environment for student groups and traveling artists.

Record and sound reinforcement:

  • Small jazz ensembles
  • Student degree recitals
  • Performance and Improvisation Ensembles

Fairchild Chapel

This 150-seat stone chapel houses two organs, one of which is based on building principles of the early 17th century. It is a favorite venue for the Historical Performance department.

Record and Livestream:

  • Collegium Musicum
  • Student degree recitals

Birenbaum

The William and Helen Birenbaum Innovation and Performance Space—“the Birenbaum”—is a club-like venue in the lower level of the Hotel at Oberlin, accommodating more than 100 guests.

Record, livestream, and sound reinforcement:

  • Student degree recitals

Hall Auditorium

Hall Auditorium is a 501-seat theater used for large-scale opera, dramatic, and dance productions. Following a major renovation project that began in 2016, Hall Auditorium is now part of an interconnected performing arts complex. 

Record:

  • Oberlin Opera