Oberlin Conservatory Headlines

Annual Honors Banquet Recognizes Student Achievements

May 17, 2012

The annual Conservatory of Music Honors and Awards Banquet, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments by conservatory students, was held this Tuesday evening. Several conservatory students received awards for demonstrating excellence in their areas of undergraduate study as well as in performance, music education, graduate study, and professional development.

Annual Honors Banquet Recognizes Student Achievements

May 17, 2012

This past Tuesday, conservatory students, faculty, and administrators gathered for the Honors & Awards Banquet. The annual tradition distinguishes certain students for demonstrating excellence in their areas of undergraduate study as well as in performance, music education, graduate study, and professional development. “Without question, the reason to be at Oberlin is the students,” Dean of the Conservatory David H. Stull says.

Student and Faculty Team Present at Professional Music Theory Conference

May 15, 2012

by Marina Kifferstein ’12

Assistant Professor of Music Theory Sigrun Heinzelmann and her student, Amy Hess ’12, will be presenting a paper at the Twenty-Third Annual Conference of Music Theory Midwest on May 18–19, 2012. Hosted by the University of Michigan, the professional conference features a selection of music theory presentations by scholars in the field. Acceptance at this conference is based on a blind, peer-review process and is highly competitive. Most of the selected papers come from university professors and graduate students; Hess is the only undergraduate who will present at this year’s conference.

Alexander Malikov ’12 to be Featured on Performance Today

May 11, 2012

by Marina Kifferstein '12

Beginning May 14, senior pianist Alexander Malikov ’12 will be featured as Young Artist in Residence on the highly acclaimed radio show, Performance Today. The Minnesota based program, which was created by National Public Radio and is now produced by American Public Media, is America’s most popular classical music radio show.

Sullivan Fortner ’08 Awarded Prestigious Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship

May 09, 2012

by Marina Kifferstein ’12

Jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner ’08 has been awarded the prestigious Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship by the Leonore Annenberg Fund for the Performing and Visual Arts. The Fund offers awards each year to exceptionally talented young artists who have completed their formal training and “possess the potential to become the cultural and community leaders of the next generation.”

Children’s Concert Series Continues Decades-Long Tradition of Engagement, Education

May 09, 2012

“They got it right, and on the first try, too," says the harshest of critics, a child who attended this year's Children's Concert. Sponsored by the music education department, the series celebrates nearly three decades of engaging and educating area school children in the culture of the concert hall.

Oberlin Jazz Ensemble Travels to Creative Arts High School in Camden, NJ

May 08, 2012

by Matt Gold ’13

Camden, New Jersey, is a difficult city in which to lead a school music program. Connections through Oberlin's Music in America initiative provided the opportunity for the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble to teach and perform at Camden's Creative and Performing Arts High School in April. OJE will perform much of the same repertoire on its free concert in Finney Chapel on May 12 at 8 p.m.

Professor John Knight Retires after 34 Years of “Extraordinary Service”

May 08, 2012

by Marina Kifferstein ’12

“I think of Oberlin as Camelot in the cornfields,” John Knight says, “and I’m very grateful and thankful for the beautiful collection of memories I have received here.” Professor Knight directs his final concert with College Community Winds on Thursday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. The concert, held in Finney Chapel, will feature works by Mussorgsky and Elgar, among others, and is free; no tickets are required.

Musicology Department Wins Two Fulbrights, Hands Hall Prize Down through Generations

May 07, 2012

Andrew Willens ’12

“There’s this interesting circularity,” Charles McGuire, professor of musicology, says about the fact that he and his advisee are both winners of a 2012 Fulbright. The mentorship also manifests itself in the awarding of the department's prestigious Hall Prize to student and Fulbright winner Rachel Dickstein, which McGuire himself earned as a conservatory student.

Jazz Students Tap Local Gigs

May 04, 2012

Andrew Willens '11

There are enough local gigs to play weekly outside of Oberlin, jazz students say, if you work hard enough. But, they add, “don’t underestimate the amount of opportunities you have in Oberlin.”