As decision day approaches, I thought that this month I would try a different format for my blog. I decided to interview 4 conservatory students of different majors and years, to reflect on why they chose Oberlin and what they’ve been up to since coming here! Let the answers commence:
Tell me a bit about yourself!
Dru - My name is Drucilla Dumas, I’m a classical voice major in the conservatory, and I am a current first-year student. I of course love music, but when I’m not singing, I really love video games, and dressing up to go out with my friends.
Thayer - My name is Thayer Jacobs, I’m a second-year double degree student with piano performance and biology. I am in the studio of Angela Cheng and am thinking about a minor in historical music. I am also interested in Spanish. I love chamber music, piano, and I am in a wonderful church choir.
Keyvar - My name is Keyvar Smith-Herold, and I’m a third-year clarinet performance major here at Oberlin. In my free time I like to go to the pool hall and bowling alley on campus with friends, or when the weather is nice, play football on South Quad.
Sophie - I’m Sophie Leah, a fourth-year double-degree student studying double bass performance and cinema studies!
Why did you choose Oberlin?
Dru - I chose Oberlin because of the generally very accepting energy, and countless facilities and opportunities.
Thayer - I had a lesson with Angela Cheng and had never felt so musically supported and enlightened, even though we had just met at the lesson. I was also drawn to the fact that the conservatory has a liberal arts college connected to it, which made double degree very easy. I wanted to be double degree because I didn’t want to close the door on either my musical or my academic pursuits. I think there is more of a reason to do double degree than not. Why wouldn’t you if you had that opportunity? THAT is the beauty of a liberal arts college.
Keyvar - I initially looked into Oberlin because of Richard Hawkins, my clarinet teacher here whose teaching is known across the country. However, for me what really solidified coming here was visiting the campus. I fell in love with the quaint, small (and very walkable) campus. I liked the idea of being in a place that allows you to easily make a lot of friends and be able to see them often.
Sophie - I chose Oberlin because I’m able to pursue a conservatory-level education without sacrificing my devotion to academics. The double-degree program allows me to keep my doors open as long as I need before deciding my path post-graduation - but you do need to be on top of your varying degree requirements across the two institutions.
How did you meet your best friend at Oberlin?
Dru - I met my best friend at Oberlin before I came here actually, we met at a summer music program two years before I came here.
Thayer - My best friend’s name is Edie, and we met because we were in the same PAL (peer advising leader) group. We had PAL meetings weekly and our first-year seminar together.
Keyvar - I met my best friend at Oberlin through the instagram account meant to connect you with incoming freshmen from your year. From that, we decided to become roommates and we’ve been best friends ever since! A lot of my other friends I’ve met through classes or from being mutuals.
Sophie - I’ve found that the best connections are forged in difficult classes and chamber groups - or by getting late-night Rat (The Rathskeller, "Rat", is a dining hall on campus) dinner after an especially taxing orchestra rehearsal.
What are some things you wish you knew before you came here?
Dru - One thing I really wish I had known before coming here was how inconsistent the weather would be.
Thayer - I wish I knew there wasn’t AC in all of the dorms. I also wish I knew how productive it can be to take a break and to go on walks, spending time away from doing work and in nature/with friends.
Keyvar - One thing I wish I knew before coming here was to look into all of the housing options before coming. I didn’t know about all of the themed housing options, such as the language or identity-based living. Also, Kahn is the newest dorm on campus and it’s much nicer than the other regular first-year dorms.
Sophie - Something that I wish I knew before attending Oberlin is that a multi-faceted dynamic with music is not a bad thing - but it is what you make of it. Erring from the “tradition path” as a performance major is hard, but it’s even harder if you refuse to let yourself discover what it is instead. By making connections across departments and not being scared of advocating for myself, I was able to find my passion for playing in operas and musical theater!
What activities/interests have you been able to pursue outside of your major/the con?
Dru - Along with the hobbies I mentioned before (video games, dressing up to go out with friends), I have performed with the Oberlin Burlesque Company, and love to see live music on campus and around the area.
Thayer - I enjoy the church choir I accompany!
Keyvar - Oberlin has a surprising amount of interests for you to explore. There are all sorts of clubs, co-ops, leagues, and classes for you to try out new things. I’ve been a part of the pool club, an intramural softball league, been to the bike co-op, been to the sweets-co where you bake different treats, and I’ve even taken a bowling class to learn how to bowl! I’ve also started playing pickleball and squash, and have been planning to check out the volleyball club!
Sophie - Aside from my majors, a huge fixture in my Oberlin journey has been my jobs in the Concert Production office! Not only have they made me care more deeply about my own performances, but they also opened my eyes to another path for a career working in music, one that I hope to follow further after I graduate next year.
I hope these little interviews could help you if you are currently thinking about choosing Oberlin! :)
