Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Oberlin Conservatory opens a world of possibilities: mentorship from esteemed faculty, exposure to transformative programs and visiting artists, access to exemplary facilities, and countless opportunities to perform—on campus and beyond!
With a focus on the undergraduate musician, you'll expand your artistic flexibility and increase your exposure through music spanning a world of styles.
Facts at a Glance
6:1 student/faculty ratio
540 conservatory students
180+ double-degree students
42 areas of private study
Latest Oberlin Conservatory of Music News
Finding the Joy with Seckou Keita
November 20, 2024
Nicknamed the “Hendrix of the kora,” Seckou Keita is today’s most influential and inspiring performer on the instrument, and is considered a leader of the newest generation of African traditional musicians, fusing traditional forms and instruments with those of other cultures.
Richard Miller Classical Voice Competition for High School Students returns in November
October 31, 2024
Oberlin Conservatory is proud to announce the return of the Richard Miller Classical Voice Competition for High School Students, a festival aimed at encouraging and supporting high school students in the pursuit of a career in classical vocal music. The festival is named in honor of Richard Miller, a member of the voice faculty at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for more than 40 years.
Oberlin Opera Theater's Fall 2024 Production of "Cendrillon" Takes us to the Fairylands
October 30, 2024
This fall, the Oberlin Opera Theater is set to transport audiences to a world of enchantment with its production of Jules Massenet's Cendrillon. This beloved opera weaves a tale of love, magic, and transformation.
Oberlin Conservatory Welcomes First Class in Recording Arts and Production
October 23, 2024
This newly established major offers students hands-on opportunities to engage with the technical and creative sides of audio production.
Oberlin College and Conservatory Adds 7 New Majors
October 15, 2024
New programs build on established successes, bolster resources to position graduates for meaningful careers.
Omar Tells His Story
October 11, 2024
This December, Oberlin will present a concert version of Rhiannon Giddens’ award-winning opera, both at Finney Chapel in Oberlin and the Maltz Performing Arts Center in Cleveland. Surrounding it are all kinds of cross-disciplinary events for campus and community.
Upcoming Events
Areas of Study
With majors ranging from historical performance to electronic music, and more than 40 areas of private study, Oberlin Conservatory transforms talented undergraduate musicians into disciplined professionals.
Give to Oberlin Conservatory
A student reviews a music score in a quiet area of the conservatory library.
Photo credit: William Rieter
Double Degree Program
We’re the only major music school in the country that shares a seamless campus with a liberal arts college. This allows you to earn bachelor’s degrees from both the conservatory and the college in five years or fewer.
On Stage
Performance is an integral part of Oberlin life. Each year, students, faculty, and guest artists present 500 concerts spanning five centuries of music. With more than two dozen large ensembles and a robust small-ensemble culture, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to perform in a variety of styles on campus—and around the world.
Professional Development
Hone your intellectual and artistic passions—and put them into practice. The offices of Conservatory Professional Development and Creativity & Leadership present on-campus workshops and programs developed to bring your career into focus and offer guidance every step of the way.
Conservatory Complex
The conservatory boasts exceptional facilities: nine concert halls, 150 practice rooms, more than 240 Steinway pianos, and an incredible 32 organs for practice and performance. You’ll have access to important instrument collections, seven electronic music studios, and one of the nation’s top conservatory libraries, including Special Collections that are prized by music researchers around the globe and play an integral role in teaching and learning at Oberlin.
Oberlin Conservatory of Music Faculty
Our internationally renowned faculty are dedicated teachers and communicative artists. They spend generous hours teaching lessons, coaching ensembles, and providing caring mentorship. Individual instruction is tailored to the needs of each student.
I think that there’s a new understanding that we are all humans and we can do our best work if we take care of ourselves and if we take care of each other, and I am happy to be teaching from that perspective.
Life After Oberlin
Oberlin fosters a culture of risk-taking that leads to high achievement. Our alumni earn top honors in major national and international competitions across the musical spectrum. They excel as performing artists and as conductors, composers, producers, theoreticians, entrepreneurs, historians, and educators. Think one person can change the world? So do they:
- Claire Chase ’01, flutist and entrepreneur
- Jeremy Denk ’90, pianist
- Rhiannon Giddens ’00, singer-songwriter
- Steven Isserlis ’80, cellist
- Edward Parks ’06, baritone
- Du Yun ’01, composer
Oberlin’s annual Commencement/Reunion Weekend ceremony signals the start of life after Oberlin.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko