Oberlin Summer Song Makers

As the heartbeat of culture, song, the special and interdisciplinary union of poetry and music, touches on the central nature of the Humanities which considers the fundamental question of who we are. 

Song is foundational to every human experience. It inspires understanding, preserves cultural legacies, and touches on all seven liberal arts as established by the ancient Greeks. Practicing, discussing, collaborating, and passing on this art form and the ways of performing it help us to understand the stories that define our humanity both geographically and generationally. 

Song is the vehicle, the humanities are the structure, and deeper more creative musical artists are the result. 

Why Oberlin and why Summer Song Makers?

• Learn from faculty who are global thought leaders in the field of Western classical art song.
   
• We are the only song program in the nation that embraces the chamber music aspect of art song and leans into the humanities by utilizing the special opportunities that Oberlin’s campus can provide:
   
• A side-by-side approach to teaching and performance that places process above immediate results.
   
• Oberlin’s facilities are unsurpassed for a school of its size, and boasts one of the nation’s most extensive college library collections, and one of the finest college art museums in the country.
   
• 150 individual practice rooms, and access to 4 performance spaces during the program makes this campus the ideal learning: Stull Recital Hall, Kulas Recital Hall, Warner Concert hall, and the Birenbaum cabaret space; faculty offices and large rehearsal spaces for chamber music.
   
• As the very first institution to earn the designation in 1877 as an ‘All Steinway School’ Oberlin holds the longest continuous relationship with Steinway.  
   
• The ‘small town’ setting in the charming Oberlin is the secret sauce to the success of the Conservatory and College, allowing its students to experiment, learn, grow, fail - safely -en route to later success without pressures or distractions.
   
• In the area, Oberlin is a short drive away from: The Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Blossom Music festival - the summer home of the  world renowned Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Art Museum: one of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation, recognized for its award-winning open access program and free of charge to all.

Who may apply for OSSM in 2027, ages 18 and up: 

• Singers 
• Pianists 
• Singer/pianist duos
• Pre-formed chamber ensembles

Do I have to audition in person?

No.  The application is completely digital, submitted through YAP Tracker.
You do not need to be a paying subscriber to YAP Tracker to use the application form, although you will need an account (guest accounts are available HERE).

You can find the application here:

APPLICATION

What will I experience at OSSM?

• At least three lessons for singers and pianists; Pre-formed instrumental Chamber groups will receive extra coaching in their ensemble 
• All musicians will participate in at least two performances
• All musicians will participate in at least one major masterclass (usually more)
• All musicians will receive a range of daily coaching which will include private sessions, smaller group classes or senior masterclass sessions
• Lectures and discussions in poetry and song history

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

It is free to apply to OSSM, and all auditions are through video submission and close at midnight on January 15th.

Applicants must submit:

1. A fully completed application submitted through YAP Tracker
2. Unedited audition videos.  See below for requirements for each instrument type: 

FOR SINGERS:

• A completed application
• 3 contrasting art songs recorded with a pianist, preferably in three languages; one piece of vocal chamber repertoire with strings is acceptable but not required. A total of three complete unedited selections.

FOR PIANISTS:

• A completed application
• 3 contrasting art songs recorded with a singer, and one piece of instrumental or vocal chamber repertoire (duo sonatas and other chamber forms with two or more players are acceptable) with strings OR a solo piano piece. A total of four complete unedited selections.
• Pianists who have an interest in working on historical keyboards for part of the time should indicate this preference on the application

FOR STRING QUARTETS - pre-formed ensembles only:

• One completed application for the whole group
• Two complete, contrasting string quartet movements from two different pieces; A total of two unedited submissions. Mov'ts of Vocal Chamber pieces with a singer are acceptable but not required.
• Attending String quartets will play both within their pre-formed group and with singers and pianists

FOR DUOS (voice and piano)

DUO applications (voice and piano) will be accepted. Each member of the duo must submit a separate application, but the videos may be the same. Please state on the application if you are applying as a duo. Please note that even if you are applying as a duo, both members must be accepted into the program on their own merit, and while you will work together for a significant period of the time, there will be opportunities to collaborate with others during the program, as our goals are for all of our performers to create musical, intellectual, and collegial connections between each discipline.

AUDITORS
Wish to come to Oberlin to see what OSSM is all about but you are not sure you want to participate directly?  Auditors can attend the daily masterclass &  lecture sessions for $50 each requested day.

OSSM Participant Performances at Oberlin are always free for everyone.  

Interested in auditing? Please email: 
summersong@oberlin.edu

Sample daily schedule: 

APPLICATION

NO APPLICATION FEE

Tuition: $2,500

Room & Board: $2,000 for all meals and housing

A range of competitive scholarships/work study are available.  
Students who are alumni of the following programs (SVA, Young Arts, and Oberlin), or who are Canadian may have access to funding to cover the cost of attending.  Links are provided below for those resources. Please also ask at your present institution about possible summer program funding.

$500 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT DUE FEBRUARY 15
BALANCE DUE: MARCH 15

Please feel free to email: 

summersong@oberlin.edu

Wish to gift a scholarship to a deserving student so they can study here for less (or free?)?  Click HERE. 

In the top red section, select the "Other" button, and designate your donation by typing in:  "Oberlin Summer Song Makers." 

Thank you!