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.
Why Bebe Chose Oberlin
"...Faculty here really give me a supportive sense of community and will provide me resources, tutelage, and anything and everything that I would need to find my distinct musical voice."
Why Tyreek Chose Oberlin
"I chose Oberlin because I wanted the opportunity to better my craft and study with masters of music..."
Why Genevieve Chose Oberlin
"How my psychology degree has informed my vocal performance has been so helpful"
Oberlin Bloggers
The Oberlin Blogs are produced by a team of current students who offer a variety of unfiltered perspectives about the Oberlin experience.
Ensembles and Improvisation
For TIMARA majors like me, you typically don’t see us playing in orchestra concerts (unless the TIMARA major in question is a double major in performance). We are, however, still required to participate in 2 ensembles to complete our degree, and there are so many options to fulfill that requirement.
Claire O’Brocta ’22
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
And… the Juries Are Out!
Although they’re stressful no matter how you slice it, I wanted to share what made my jury this year special and why it will always be a performance I’ll remember.
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
Oberlin Musicians Inspire Hope Through United Nations Performance at Carnegie Hall
DECEMBER 3, 2022
December 2 concert signals launch of partnership to improve worldwide access to education and arts training.
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 Opera Theater Presents World Premiere of "Alice Tierney"
JANUARY 11, 2023
"Alice Tierney" excavates the stories we tell about the past, and gives students a unique Winter Term opportunity to develop an opera from the ground up, as well as the opportunity to take the show on the road.
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 produces nearly 500 hundred concerts every year. These include student recitals in every area of study; chamber music, orchestral, choral, and opera performances; new music ensemble and composer forum concerts; performances by small and large jazz ensembles and improvisation groups; as well as recitals featuring faculty and guest artists.
Webcasts
Oberlin Conservatory streams hundreds of concerts every year—from student ensemble performances to faculty recitals. 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, Oberlin Backstage Pass, and YouTube.
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.
Conducting at Oberlin
Oberlin's conducting program has produced distinguished alumni as well as up-and-coming names including Maurice Cohn '17.
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.”
3 Oberlin Conservatory Alumni Win 2022 Guggenheim Fellowships
Annual awards support research or creative endeavors across a range of disciplines.
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.
