Why Oberlin Conservatory?
Why We Chose Oberlin
We asked conservatory students—and double-degree students—why they chose Oberlin. Here’s what they had to say.
“Pursuing musical performance and TIMARA”
Rachel Gibson ’20
Percussion performance and TIMARA
“Fostering individuality”
Birsa Chatterjee ’19
Jazz Performance, saxophone and voice
“A great place to focus”
Olivia Cosio ’18
Voice
Oberlin Bloggers
The Oberlin Blogs are produced by a team of current students who offer a variety of unfiltered perspectives about the Oberlin experience.
Trying Theater Things
When I was in high school, I was someone who could loosely be described as a theater kid.
Claire O’Brocta ’22
Buffalo, New York
Weekend in My Life: Oberlin Isn’t Dead!
As a prospective student, I was worried about student life here, especially on the weekends.
Ilana McNamara ’24
Omaha, Nebraska
My First In-Person Oberlin Orchestra Concert
While adjusting to Oberlin last year—a new place with new people and new experiences—the reality that my class’s first year was unlike any other didn’t faze me.
Ben Smith ’24
Monroe, Georgia
The Oberlin Experience
From day one on campus, Oberlin students perform in ensembles large and small, they earn roles in fully staged operas, and they learn from and collaborate with a host of esteemed guest artists who visit campus throughout the year. These videos and others may help you form a more complete picture of your life as an Oberlin Conservatory student.
Ensembles at Oberlin
Inside Oberlin Opera Theater
Oberlin Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble
Oberlin News Highlights
$1.6M Gift Supports Endowed Fellowship in Jazz History at Oberlin Conservatory
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
New role made possible by James R. ’58 and Susan Neumann.
The Chopin Whisperer
November 9, 2021
Oberlin professor Dang Thai Son conquered one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions. Now his students are doing the same.
Oberlin Conservatory Collaborates on “Resonate” Commissioning Project
OCTOBER 14, 2021
Seven-way partnership engages seven composers to create works that explore the African diaspora, with all works to be performed in Oberlin and Detroit.
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.
Of all the schools I looked at, Oberlin has the strongest double-degree program by far in terms of its continuity and its flexibility between the college and the conservatory.
Andrew Santiago ’20, flute and physics
Ashley Hale
BA in Economics
BM in Jazz and Classical Trumpet (Independent Major)
Jules Sawhill
BM in Viola Performance
BA in Politics
…as well as a varsity baseball pitcher
Daniel Hautzinger
BM in Piano Performance
BA in History
Oberlin Establishes Minor in African American Music
Interdisciplinary course of study available to all students in the college and conservatory.
It Takes Two
What can you do with a double degree from Oberlin? Just about anything.
Oberlin Establishes Five New Collaborative Programs
Distinctive courses of study draw upon interdisciplinary resources, chart paths toward 21st century careers.
Be There Live!
Oberlin Conservatory streams hundreds of concerts every year, from student recitals and large ensemble performances to concerts featuring faculty and guest artists.
Webcasts
Performances of the Oberlin Orchestra and Contemporary Music Ensemble take place every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Throughout the week, you can hear performances featuring students in our jazz division, the Oberlin Baroque Orchestra, and small ensembles. There are also live-streamed broadcasts of student junior and senior recitals from every department.
Oberlin On Demand
Special programs and previously recorded performances by students, faculty, and guest artists are available on Oberlin Stage Left: On Demand as well as Oberlin Backstage Pass.
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.
Oberlin Alumni Win Grammys at 63rd Annual Awards Ceremony
Winners of this year's Grammy Awards include 10 Oberlin Conservatory alumni across five different classical music categories.
Jazz Trumpeter Theo Croker ’07 Performs at Oberlin
Presented by the Oberlin Jazz Society, concert includes music from the new album “BLK2LIFE // A FUTURE PAST.”
Composer, Instrumentalist, and Educator Katherine Young '03 Earns Guggenheim Fellowship
Award supports completion of suite of electroacoustic pieces developed during the pandemic.
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.
The Conservatory Experience for Accepted StudentsNext Steps
After exploring the stories and videos below, we encourage you to:
Review the Checklist Enroll at Oberlin!Double Degree? Connect with the College, too.
