Keyboard Auditions

Notes for Keyboard Applicants:

  • Applicants must submit a screening audition for review via the Audition and Screening Dropbox on your Applicant Portal.
  • Screening recordings and recorded auditions must be audio/video recordings. Audio only recordings will not be accepted.
  • Screening deadline: December 4.
  • Final audition recordings deadline: February 1. Recordings submitted may not be those used for screening, even in circumstances where the repertoire performed is the same. In addition to submitting a recorded audition, applicants will be required to participate in a virtual meeting with applied faculty in their area of study. 
  • When choosing repertoire to satisfy requirements of your choice, we encourage exploring the works of composers from historically underrepresented groups, or other works that you find personally meaningful or diverse.  Choosing repertoire is an opportunity to showcase works that best reflect your culture, gender or other forms of self-identity. Check the Oberlin Conservatory Library webpage Diversify your Repertoire for ideas to get started.

2024 - 2025 On-Campus Piano Audition Dates

Saturday, February 8, 2025
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Saturday, February 15*, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025

*Professor Dang Thai Son is only available for on-campus auditions on this date. 

Screening Requirements

  • One composition by Bach
  • A sonata-allegro movement from a classical sonata
  • One étude of virtuosity
  • One other piece of the applicant’s choice

Final Audition Requirements

  • One composition by Bach
  • A complete classical sonata (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven)
  • One étude of virtuosity
  • One composition from the romantic period
  • One composition by a 20th or 21st century composer

Notes

All screenings and final auditions must be performed from memory. Please include a piece that is meaningful to you for personal or cultural reasons. For example, we encourage applicants to choose a work written by an underrepresented composer in accordance to Oberlin's commitment to equality, diversity, and social justice. The repertoire on the screening can, but need not be identical to that of the final audition recordings. If submitting the same repertoire, recordings submitted may not be the same as those used for screening.

 

2024 - 2025 On-Campus Organ Audition Dates

Saturday, February 15, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025

Screening Requirements:

  • Ten minutes of music of the applicant's choice

Multiple excerpts of works are allowed. Works may be repeated in the final audition.

Requests to waive the screening requirement may be submitted by applicants who have previously played for the organ faculty or attended the Oberlin Summer Organ Academy. 

Final Audition Requirements:

    Bachelor of Music in Organ
    • Three or four contrasting pieces of organ literature that demonstrate the applicant's technical and musical skills
    • Sight-reading of a four-part hymn harmonization

    At least one piece should be chosen from the works of J.S. Bach. Works by women and other minority-represented composers are encouraged. Admission to the organ program for pianists with limited organ background will be considered on a case by case basis. These applicants may include a partial audition on the piano. 

    Master of Music in Historical Performance Organ
    • Three or four contrasting pieces of organ literature that demonstrate the applicant's technical and musical skills. One work must be a major prelude and fugue or trio sonata of Johann Sebastian Bach, and one work must be from the pre-Bach era. The remaining selections may be freely chosen. 
    • Sight-reading
    Artist Diploma in Organ
    • Applicants should submit a 60-minute program of contrasting organ literature, from which the faculty will choose selections to be heard. The audition will take place on the Fisk organ in Finney Chapel. 

    Auditions and Interview Overview