Small Ensembles

Conservatory and double-degree students wishing to enroll in APST 800 Chamber Music, APST 805 Contemporary Chamber Music, or APST 810 Piano Ensemble must complete a Chamber Music Request Form - Each Semester.

• Please see Small Chamber Music Deadlines for instructions and a link to the Chamber Music Form.
• This form is due the first week of classes; generally, the 2nd or 3rd day of classes!
• In most cases, students will not be able to register during their preliminary pre-registration window the semester before or during the summer, as groups are still pending. 
• Final assignments and CRNs will be sent via email (and/or posted outside CBIB-126), and consent entered on OberView/Banner Self-Serve just one day prior to the add/drop deadline.
• Students are expected to register themselves prior to the add/drop deadline.
• How do I find my consent and CRN #?

Two Chamber Groups

In rare cases, some students are placed in two small chamber groups. The system will not allow online registration for two small groups, so a "Duplicate" override will be entered as consent in order to allow students to register for two different sections of the same course.

Contact: Brittany Workman, CBIB-126 440-775-8198
Faculty Coordinator: Kirsten Docter

An annual audition (held the first week of classes during the fall semester) is required for all non-jazz majors, both conservatory and arts and science students, interested in playing in Oberlin Jazz Small Ensembles.

Audition sign-up sheets and audition/placement results are posted outside Kohl Building, 200-A. Students will meet and play for faculty in a relaxed setting. Students who successfully pass the audition will be placed into the pool of students eligible to participate in small jazz ensembles.

Jazz majors are automatically placed into the pool of students who form the small jazz ensembles. Students form their own ensembles based on criteria established by the Division of Jazz Studies. Jazz majors are required to register for any participating ensemble that is required for their major.

All students who intend to participate in small jazz ensembles must attend the ensemble formation meeting at 12:15 p.m., in the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse on the Friday of the first full week of classes.

Groups that meet the criteria are assigned to a faculty sponsor and receive a weekly coaching time. Students are notified by the Division of Jazz Studies of their consent just prior to the registration deadline and must register for credit.

Two Jazz Groups

In rare cases, some students are placed in two small jazz groups. The system will not allow online registration for two small groups, so a "Duplicate" override will be entered as consent in order to allow students to register for two different sections of the same course.

Final placement results and CRNs will be posted (and/or sent via email), and consent entered on OberView prior to the add/drop deadline. Students are expected to register prior to the add/drop deadline.

How do I find my consent and CRN #?

Signups and information for Small Jazz Ensemble Auditions are available outside Kohl Bldg., 200-A.

Note: Small Jazz Ensemble auditions are only offered in the fall for non-jazz majors. Jazz majors will be assigned to groups in both the fall and spring.

Contact Julie Baker , Kohl Building, 200-A, x56633

Oberlin Arts & Sciences Chamber Collective is a chamber ensemble practicum course led by members of the Verona Quartet. This course (APST 826) offers Arts & Sciences students the chance to sharpen their individual and collaborative music skills through multifaceted chamber music settings including Small Ensembles (one player per part).

Small Ensembles rehearse together weekly, receive one-on-one instruction with a member of the Verona Quartet and join fellow ensembles for the regular performance class. Performance classes give students the opportunity to share works in progress and take part in discussion groups on topics ranging from score study to conflict resolution. The semester culminates in a final performance of each Small Ensemble.

Acceptance is based on audition and course availability. All orchestral instruments and pianists are welcome to apply; placement is contingent on the availability of repertoire and instrumental composition of the group of students auditioning in a given semester. Placement is not guaranteed even if you have been in the class previously.

Audition Requirements: In order to be eligible for ASCC, we ask that you please submit a brief three-five minute audio/visual clip of your individual playing via Google Form.

If you have been approved for the course, you will receive consent to register. You may apply with a pre-formed ensemble and every effort will be made to retain your ensemble preference. However, all pre-formed groups are subject to alteration depending on the instrumentation of the registered student body. Clips should demonstrate your individual playing; smartphone recordings are acceptable. For further questions, please contact one of the members of the Verona Quartet.

Requirements

• To receive credit for small ensembles, you must register for the course for 2 credits in OberView/Banner Self-Serve.
• Students will receive an e-mail and online consent one day prior to the add/drop deadline. A faculty signature is not required. It is the student’s responsibility to register by the add/drop deadline.
• All students must register for ensemble credit to meet their graduation requirements (0 or 1 credit is not an option). Please contact the Office of the Associate Deans if you need an overload in order to accommodate your ensemble.
• Check the small ensemble requirements specified for your major in your grid .
• Because of the intensity of individual and group energy devoted to successful chamber music playing, the string faculty strongly suggest that you limit yourself to one group.
• Students typically are assigned to only one small ensemble per semester. In case you commit to two groups, mark your first and second choice, as the committee cannot guarantee an assignment in a second group.
• In rare cases, some students are placed in two small ensemble groups. The system will not allow online registration for two small groups, so a "Duplicate" override will be entered as consent to allow students to register for two different sections of the same course.
• First-year woodwind students must register for Prima Vista fall semester. Please do not register for a small ensemble group.
• First-year string students (except double bass) must register for 1st Year String Chamber Music Seminar (APST 801) fall semester. Please do not register for small ensembles (APST@800/805).
• Ensembles taken for credit must be registered for and graded during the semester of participation.
• How do I find my consent and CRN #?

Chamber Music contact: Kirsten Docter
Jazz Ensemble contact: Julie Baker