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
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
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.
Oberlin Orchestra performs Symphony No. 1: Ballet for Orchestra by Cindy McTee
Inside Oberlin Opera Theater
Oberlin Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble
Oberlin News Highlights
The Making of a World Premiere: Paul Desenne’s Double Flute Concerto Has its Day in Oberlin
NOVEMBER 1, 2023
Flute professor Alexa Still and fourth-year student Dylan Masariego share solo spot with the Oberlin Orchestra, under the direction of Raphael Jiménez
Students, Faculty Participate in Detroit's Resonate Symposium
APRIL 14, 2023
Weiss' work with the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble over the last three decades has expanded the repertoire heard on the Conservatory's stages, and inspired young musicians to champion the work of living composers. In recent years, Weiss has focused on amplifying the voices of underrepresented composers. He believes this work squares beautifully with the purpose of the Resonate project.
Oberlin Jazz Faculty and Students Participate in Launch of Ideastream's JazzNEO
MARCH 1, 2024
Saxophonist Chris Coles, an Oberlin Conservatory Jazz Division faculty member and small ensemble coach, performed with three Conservatory Jazz Studies students for a capacity audience at Cleveland’s premiere jazz venue, the Bop Stop.
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
There are now eight distinctive courses of study that draw upon interdisciplinary resources through the conservatory and college, charting 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.
Oberlin Faculty, Alums Win 2024 Grammy Awards
Oberlin had a big night at Music’s Biggest Night, the 2024 Grammy Awards. Multiple musicians receive awards in the classical and opera categories.
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.
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.
