Divisions and Departments
Conducting and Ensembles
For students with a strong interest in conducting, Oberlin offers a five-year program combining graduate studies in conducting with an undergraduate major in performance, composition, music education, electronic and...
Learn about the Conducting and Ensembles Division
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
The Contemporary Music Division encompasses three areas: Composition, Jazz Studies and Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA).
Learn about the Contemporary Music Division
Composition
Production, performance, and critique are primary instructional vehicles of the program. In each Composition and TIMARA course, the focus is always on compositional productivity, new compositions being the primary course output, with works being performed...
Learn about the Composition Department
TIMARA
The major in Technology in Music and Related Arts is intended for those students who desire a career where traditional musical skills and understanding are combined with the exploration of the very latest techniques for musical expression. It is expected...
Learn about the TIMARA Department
Jazz Studies
The conservatory incorporated jazz into its curriculum in 1973, and began offering a major in jazz studies in 1989. The program prepares students for careers as professional jazz musicians and for advanced study in jazz. The jazz studies faculty includes...
Historical Performance
The historical performance program offers degree programs leading to the B.Mus., M.M., or Artist's Diploma in performance on historical instruments. Master's students may elect a program combining the study of several historical ...
Learn about the Historical Performance Division
KEYBOARD STUDIES
Keyboard Studies encompasses organ and harpsichord as well as piano.
Organ
Long recognized as one of the world's leading centers for organ instruction, Oberlin has graduated musicians who have become professors of music, church musicians, university organists and scholars-and winners of national and international awards. Oberlin's...
Learn about the Organ Department
Piano
An especially strong keyboard faculty, many opportunities to perform, superb facilities, and an active schedule of master classes and residencies by visiting artists - these are the components that make an Oberlin ...
Musicology
The study of musicology draws on historical investigation and various modes of criticism and analysis in the thoughtful consideration of music as both a liberal and a performance art. Long a part of the Conservatory’s curriculum&mdash...
Learn about the Musicology Division
Music Education
Learn about the Music Education Division
Music Theory
Studies in music theory are part of every program in the conservatory. The music theory program stresses both aural skills and studies in analysis and writing. The level of achievement required in each area is determined by the ...
Learn about the Music Theory Division
Strings
The string curriculum aims to develop students' talents to the highest musical and professional levels. String students have been enormously successful in the musical world. Some hold positions in major orchestras and chamber ...
Learn about the Strings Division
VOCAL STUDIES
The Vocal Studies program encompasses the Voice Department and the Oberlin Opera Theater.
Every year, between 20 and 30 gifted singers enter degree programs in the Conservatory of Music. These students receive instruction from faculty members with impressive performance and academic attainments, and take courses on technique, performance readiness, musicianship, musical style, and linguistic accuracy. All students take weekly private lessons with a major teacher and participate in studio classes. Voice studies students also have a wealth of opportunities to perform with the varied student and professional ensembles, choirs, a cappella groups, and other musical troupes that give recitals and concerts during the academic year.
Voice
Students in the voice department take courses in music theory and aural skills each semester until all requirements are met. You will learn the necessary vocal and musicianship techniques to enhance your performance readiness, style, presentation, and...
Learn about the Voice Department
Opera Theater
The Opera Theater is an important part of the vocal studies program as it provides training in all aspects of opera theater— staging, costumes, set design, and aural and language skills. Every year, between 20 and 30 gifted singers enter degree...
Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion
The woodwinds, brass, and percussion curricula are both intense and stimulating. The full-time resident faculty includes nationally recognized teacher-performers committed to providing careful, rigorous instruction. Highly...
