Week Nine Highlights: Oberlin College Music Department
Oberlin College's prestigious Oberlin Conservatory offers a wealth of opportunities for students to explore and develop their musical talents. Here's a guide to help you make the most of your time at the Conservatory.
Practice Spaces
The Conservatory boasts an impressive array of facilities, including 150 practice rooms with windows and extensive resources like over 240 Steinway pianos and 32 organs. These practice rooms provide a conducive environment for students to hone their skills[1]. Typically, conservatory students have access to these practice spaces, which may be available 24/7 with proper ID and permission, allowing students to practice according to their schedules.
Borrowing Instruments
Oberlin is known for its rich collection of instruments. While specific details about borrowing instruments might not be readily available online, students often have access to a variety of instruments for their studies, especially in programs like historical performance and contemporary music. For precise information on borrowing instruments, it would be best to contact Oberlin Conservatory's administration or the specific department related to your instrument of interest.
General Information
The official website of Oberlin Conservatory is a good starting point for learning about their facilities, programs, and resources available to students. Reach out to the conservatory's admissions or student services department for detailed inquiries about practice spaces and instrument borrowing policies.
Ensembles and Performances
Whether or not students formally study music, there are opportunities to play or experience music at Oberlin. Many ensembles at the Conservatory are open to college students, although some may require an audition and faculty consent to participate. Conservatory students perform in two fully-staged opera productions each year and various solo and ensemble settings.
Exciting events are organized by student groups like the Oberlin Jazz Society, Oberlin College Black Musicians Guild, Latinx Music Union, and Modern Music Guild. Guest musicians are brought to Oberlin each year for short residencies and free performances.
All students can access free tickets to every concert on the 2025-2026 Artist Recital Series. During Orientation, there will be a visit to the Academic, Community, and Music Resource Fair, where students can learn about private lessons, conservatory ensembles, and practice space or instrument borrowing.
Welcome to the Oberlin Conservatory
Bill Quillen, the Dean of the Oberlin Conservatory, extends a warm welcome to students joining the Conservatory this fall. Oberlin Conservatory alumni, including innovative performers like Rhiannon Giddens '00, Jeremy Denk '90, Steven Isserlis '80, Chris Eldridge '04, Courtney Bryan '04, and Sullivan Fortner '08, often return to campus to share their experiences and guidance with current students.
The Oberlin Conservatory welcomes conservatory, Double Degree, and college students. The Conservatory does not specify a particular college major for music studies. Whether you're a music major or simply passionate about music, Oberlin Conservatory invites you to explore music and make your own discoveries throughout your time at the Conservatory.
[1] Source: Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, 2022. Accessed 15th May 2023. https://music.oberlin.edu/conservatory/facilities/
To supplement your musical growth, online education platforms like Coursera or MasterClass offer additional learning opportunities in music theory and performance, complementing the education-and-self-development you receive at Oberlin College's Conservatory.
After hours of practice and study, unwind with a movie or a series streamed on online entertainment platforms like Netflix or Hulu for a break from entertainment and music, allowing you to recharge whilst maintaining a well-rounded lifestyle during your time at the Conservatory.
