Large Ensembles
Oberlin Conservatory new and returning students have several large vocal and instrumental ensembles with which they can rehearse and perform, and earn credit. Many require auditions and faculty consent for placement in an ensemble. Some ensembles only require a student to register.
Most students will register for ensembles during orientation, needing to save two credits of space in their schedule when pre-registering. Conservatory students required to perform with large ensembles for their major (Oberlin Orchestra/Contemporary Music Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra/Sinfonietta) will be pre-registered during the summer.
Completion of music theory and aural skills is not a requirement of Conservatory or College of Arts and Sciences students prior to audition and/or registration for a large or small ensemble.
Additional information about dress codes, practice rooms, keys, and locker assignments is available on the Conservatory Policies and Procedures page.
New and returning student auditions for the Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble, Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, and Oberlin Sinfonietta will be held on the following schedule:
New Strings students submit a recorded audition in the fall and a live audition in the spring, usually during the first week of classes.
New Winds and Brass submit a recorded audition in the fall.
Returning Strings students audition each fall, usually during the first week of classes.
Returning Winds and Brass Students audition at the end of each semester.
All auditioning students can expect to receive email communications over the summer months that contain audition information. This will include day, time, location, specific instructions, and musical excerpts.
New students are introduced to music opportunities during Orientation. Check your Orientation schedule for details. Students can meet faculty and student groups and learn about applied study programs, as well as large and small ensemble opportunities.
Advanced student musicians from the College of Arts and Sciences are welcome to audition for any of the conservatory’s large instrumental ensembles, including the Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, Oberlin Sinfonietta, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble.
Contact: Roy Fuccio, or call (440-775-6694)
The Oberlin College Choir (OCC) is made up of both voice majors and talented singers from both the College of Arts and Sciences and other majors within the Conservatory. The choir performs a wide variety of a cappella and accompanied music. OCC is required for voice majors during their first two years. Auditions take place during Orientation and the weekend before classes begin. Audition information and a sign-up form is available at OCC Audition Sign Up.
Contact: Gregory Ristow, Bibbins 219, x58068
Oberlin Collegium Musicum, an early music choir, has openings for singers in all voice parts. Auditions will take place in Professor Plank's office, Kohl 310. To schedule a time, please email Professor Plank.
Please use your Oberlin email to access audition and course information at Collegium Musicum auditions.
Contact: Steven Plank, Kohl 310, x58237
APST-750 Djembe Orchestra I (Fall Semester) provides the fundamentals and basic concepts and techniques of Mandé music. The traditional rhythmic structure of Djembe and Dununs will be studied to further develop skills within modern day Black American Music, fusion, and orchestral music. Culture, geography, history, and folkloric philosophy will be explored through song, music, performance, practicum, and academic discourse. This course will be taught from a traditional West African and world view perspective in the context of social, occupational, and religious function. Students will immerse themselves in a physical, cultural, and spiritual exploration of these traditional styles of drumming from the regions of Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.
APST-751 Djembe Orchestra 2 (Spring Semester) is an expansion of the fundamentals and basic concepts and techniques of Mandé music. The traditional rhythmic structure of Djembe and Dununs will be studied to further develop skills within modern day Black American Music, fusion, and orchestral music. Culture, geography, history, and folkloric philosophy will be explored through song, music, performance, practicum, and academic discourse. This course will be taught from a traditional West African and world view perspective in the context of social, occupational, and religious function. Students will immerse themselves in a physical, cultural, and spiritual exploration of these traditional styles of drumming from the regions of Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. Students will be tasked with learning new ways of experiencing themselves through music and with creating their own rhythms through which they will assert their history and voice in a culturally aware and diverse music practice. (Pre-Requisite: APST-750.)
APST-750/751 Djembe Orchestra is offered as Applied Studies through the Jazz Studies division.
Contact: Julie Baker, Kohl 200-A, x56633
Instructor: Weedie Braimah
This annual audition is required for all conservatory and arts and science students interested in playing with the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble (OJE), a.k.a. Big Band. Audition sign-up sheets, and audition/placement results are posted outside Kohl 200-A. Students will meet and play for faculty in a relaxed setting.
The personnel of the OJE is established by the director of the group based on the needs of the ensemble and the fulfillment of curricular requirements for jazz majors.
Students are notified by the jazz studies division of their consent just prior to the registration deadline and must register for credit. Please Note: Jazz majors must register for at least one jazz ensemble each semester.
Jazz Division majors are required to participate in the placement rehearsal/audition for Oberlin Jazz Ensemble, which takes place the first week of the fall semester.
Non-jazz majors must pre-audition to attend the OJE placement audition. The audition (held only once each year during the fall semester) is held the first week of the fall semester.
All non-jazz majors who have successfully passed the pre-audition must attend the first rehearsal of the fall semester (or the first rehearsal of the spring semester if participating in the spring). Priority is given to those students fulfilling their jazz requirements. Other seats of the ensemble are filled based on the needs of the group.
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Jazz Large & Small Ensemble Auditions — Use your Oberlin email to access audition information. Signups and placement results for jazz and non-jazz majors are posted outside the Kohl Building 200-A.
Contact: Julie Baker, Kohl 200-A, x56633
Auditions are not required to participate in Musical Union. Conservatory and College of Arts and Sciences students may register online without consent prior to the add/drop deadline. Individual times will be scheduled for placement during the first week of classes. Rehearsals begin the second week of classes.
Contact: Gregory Ristow, Bibbins 219, x58068
Performers interested in playing piano with a large ensemble should contact piano chair Alvin Chow.
Performers interested in playing piano in a small ensemble group should visit our Small Ensembles section for details.
For information on secondary piano lessons, explore Secondary Lessons webpage or contact Andrea McAlister.
If you are participating in any of these ensembles, you must register, add, or drop before the add/drop deadline via OberView/Banner Self-Serve. Some ensembles require consent from the instructor. While you may be “consented,” or “added to a list,” students are not automatically registered for any course in the Conservatory, except for incoming Conservatory students who will be pre-registered prior to their first semester only, if applicable.
Please confirm your registration on OberView/Banner Self-Serve. You may print a copy of your schedule prior to the add/drop deadline and see your instructor. If you experience problems, contact the Office of the Registrar .