Why Oberlin Conservatory?
Why We Chose Oberlin
We asked conservatory students why they chose Oberlin. Here’s what they had to say.
Why Grace Chose Oberlin
"I came to Oberlin because of the opportunities. I wanted to go to a school that would push me...”
Why Peyton Chose Oberlin
“…the drive to connect with the community is something Oberlin has really pulled out of me.”
Why Milei Chose Oberlin
“…at Oberlin I’m able to find myself and find my sound, I feel very prepared to enter a bigger space.”
Oberlin Bloggers
The Oberlin Blogs give you an unfiltered perspective of the student experience at Oberlin Conservatory.
Hot Takes on Conservatory Life
I knew when I was looking at colleges that I wanted the institution to be either undergrad only, or undergrad-focused. I didn’t realize just how much this would actually mean in my development until I got to school.
Rebekah Grande ’27
Buffalo, New York
Winter Term in Southeast Asia
Winter Term is one of my favorite parts about Oberlin. For a month in January, all students get off of school to pursue any project that they want, which could be in Oberlin, at home, or abroad, related to their major, or completely different from anything they’ve ever done before.
Ilana McNamara ’24
Omaha, Nebraska
Practicing Performing
Performance opportunities can take shape in a number of ways at Oberlin: departmental recitals, studio recitals, ad hoc recitals, student composer recitals, first- and second-year juries, junior recitals, senior recitals, ChamberFest, opera performances, large ensemble concerts…I think that’s all of them?
Ben Smith ’24
Monroe, Georgia
The Oberlin Experience
You’ll begin performing in your first semester at Oberlin Conservatory. As an undergraduate-focused program, the Conservatory offers full access to roles, ensembles, and stage time—without competing with graduate students. That means opportunities to perform in fully staged operas, appear as a soloist within ensembles, and work closely with visiting artists throughout the year. Students also collaborate regularly on new work by peers, faculty, and guest artists, ensuring that creative ideas move quickly from rehearsal to performance. These videos offer a closer look at daily life as an Oberlin Conservatory student.
Oberlin Orchestra performs “Kikimora, Op. 63” by Anatol Liadov
Inside Oberlin Opera Theater
Oberlin Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble
Oberlin News Highlights
Award-Winning Poiesis Quartet Brings Commissioning Project to Campus
March 9, 2026
The Poiesis Quartet—First Prize winners at the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition, Grand Prize winners of the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and winners of the 2024 Concert Artists Guild Competition—return to Oberlin to present a program of five newly commissioned works by emerging QTPOC composers.
Linda May Han Oh Brings Jazz to Finney Chapel
March 6, 2026
Grammy-winning bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh to perform with her quintet as part of Oberlin’s Artist Recital Series on March 19, presenting The Glass Hours, a program blending jazz, improvisation, and genre-crossing influences. Centered on themes of time, identity, and human connection, the concert highlights Oh’s bold, expressive approach to contemporary jazz.
International Contemporary Ensemble Residency
February 24, 2026
Pioneering composer, musicologist, and trombonist George Lewis returns to campus in collaboration with the International Contemporary Ensemble's residency. Co-founded by conservatory alums, the ensemble is a multidisciplinary collective of musicians, digital media artists, producers, and educators, committed to building and innovating collaborative environments.
Spend Some Time With Us!
We’ve developed a variety of events to help you explore life at Oberlin and picture yourself here. Schedule an in-person campus visit, ask questions at a webinar, and engage with current students.
Conservatory Academics
At Oberlin, you’ll build a strong musical foundation through coursework in music history, theory, and aural skills, as well as electives in improvisation, community engagement, pedagogy, and arts management. Interested in studying more across campus? Explore minor offerings in academic departments in the college and across eight interdisciplinary programs to connect your musical study to other fields.
Double Degree
Oberlin is one of the few conservatories to offer the option of earning both a BM degree and a BA or BS degree within one integrated College and Conservatory in five years. Join more than 200 students who pursue rigorous academic study and musical practice together, bringing their work across disciplines into conversation through our renowned double degree program.
How you’ll spend your time as a Conservatory student
Ensembles, private study, and specific electives for your major
Classes like music theory, aural skills, keyboard proficiency, and music history
32 credits in the College of Arts and Sciences—about one course per semester
After Oberlin
Our alumni earn top honors in major national and international competitions across the musical spectrum. They perform in the world’s foremost concert halls and opera houses and with highly acclaimed orchestras. They excel as conductors, soloists, composers, producers, theoreticians, entrepreneurs, historians, and educators. The stories below highlight achievements of Oberlin graduates in wide-ranging careers.
Sullivan Fortner '08 Wins Second GRAMMY
Recognized at 2025 GRAMMY Awards for Best Jazz Performance.
Alum is the Youngest Tenured Member of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Drew Dansby ’24 was named a section cellist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), beginning in the 2023-2024 season at the age of 22.
Courtney Bryan ’04 Wins Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship
Composer-pianist’s artistry reveals wide-ranging influences; honor is the 14th for an Oberlin graduate.
Obie Pride
Get some digital swag to celebrate your admission to Oberlin!
Download GIFs, add social media lenses and filters, and hear playlists put together for you by a number of Obies—including President Ambar.
What’s Next?
Engage With Us
We are thrilled to open our doors to you through a series of virtual and in-person experiences.
Next Steps
After exploring the stories and videos below, we encourage you to:
Double Degree? Connect with the College, too.
