David Breitman, Director David Boe James David Christie Kathie Lynn Michael Lynn Michael Manderen Marilyn McDonald Catharina Meints Alison Melville Steven E. Plank Webb Wiggins • Audition Requirements • Oberlin Baroque Orchestra, Conducted by Jeannette Sorrell, to Present Concerts in Oberlin and Cleveland in February • Oberlin's Conservatory of Music Celebrates J.S. Bach's Birthday with an Evening of Organ and Chamber Concerts • Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute Honored • Historical Performance Concert Features Trio Sonatas and Guest Artist Rachel Barton • Oberlin Conservatory Presents Modern Premiere of Royer's French Baroque Opera-Ballet Le Pouvoir de L'Amour Oberlin Senior Wins Marshall Scholarship ‏ Historical Performance Alumni		"Historical performance is a dance where creative leaps of faith, individual expression, and historical documentation learn to be partners with one another. The choreography is wonderfully flexible, the dance itself stimulationg, and the results exhilarating." — Professor Steven Plank The modern premier of Royer's Le Pouvoir de l'Amour (2002) Presented with the support of the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles HISTORY Oberlin Conservatory of Music is a pioneer and leader in the field of historical performance. The Oberlin Baroque Ensemble - composed of historical performance faculty Michael Lynn, Marilyn McDonald, Catharina Meints and Lisa Goode Crawford - was one of the first in the nation to specialize in the performance of early music on historical instruments. Through its teaching and its critically acclaimed concerts and recordings the ensemble has already influenced an entire generation of young performers. CURRICULA 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 keyboard instruments. The degree programs include applied study, music theory, music history, and continuo Members of the Oberlin Baroque Ensemble performing at the Smithsonian Institution. realization at the keyboard, as well as specific courses in historical performance. Students are exposed to the latest thinking in the field, and take advantage of Oberlin's superb music library to pursue their own research. The College's broad range of courses in history, theatre, dance and the visual arts complement and enrich the historical performance program's offerings. Private instruction (principal or secondary) is available in harpsichord, fortepiano, organ, baroque violin, viola da gamba, baroque cello, baroque flute, recorder, and historical oboes. Although some students come to Oberlin already specialized on an early instrument, others come with more traditional musical backgrounds and begin their study of an early instrument in the Conservatory. Winter term is traditionally rich in events of interest to early music students. Recently, these have included an early piano workshop, and introductory courses in baroque violin, viola da gamba, hurdy gurdy, krummhorn, portative organ, and lute. Many of the students in Oberlin's historical performance program participate in the Baroque Performance Institute, an intensive two-week summer program. Some of the world's foremost artists are brought to campus as performers and teachers, augmenting the resident faculty. The Oberlin Collegium Musicum at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Margot Schulman PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES Performance is an important part of the program. Experienced performer-teachers lead students through solo performances and coach ensembles. All students perform in two departmental or studio recitals and present major recitals in their junior and senior years. Many students also accompany other students' recitals or participate in ensembles. Some ensembles accommodate beginners as well as more advanced players. Performance opportunities are provided through: Collegium Musicum Baroque Orchestra Viola da Gamba Consort Renaissance Recorder Ensemble. David Douglass and Robert Mealy of the Kings Noyse rehearse for a performance in Fairchild Chapel. GUEST PERFORMERS Numerous guest performances are scheduled each year. The international early-music circuit's rapidly rising star, soprano Christine Brandes, is our 1998-99 Artist-in-Residence, providing master classes and private coachings and singing with our ensembles. Recent guest ensembles and soloists are The King's Noyse; Apollo's Fire (Cleveland's baroque orchestra); Capriccio Stravagante; Tafelmusik; the New York Baroque Dance Company; countertenor Derek Lee Ragin '80; and lutenist Paul O'Dette. ALUMNI Oberlin's historical performance graduates have distinguished themselves in performance with professional ensembles, among them Ars Musica, Calliope, Capriccio Stravagante, the City Musick, Concerto Castello, the Ensemble for Early Music, Hesperus, the Jongleurs, the New York Renaissance Band, Philharmonia, Sequentia, the Smithsonian Chamber Players, Trio Sonnerie, and the Waverly Consort.