Oberlin Conservatory Welcomes First Class in Recording Arts and Production

This fall, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the world’s premier undergraduate-focused music conservatory, proudly welcomed the first class of students to its newly established Recording Arts and Production major. This innovative program offers students unparalleled hands-on opportunities to engage with the technical and creative sides of audio production, recording a multitude of musical styles in one of the finest music environments in the world.

The Recording Arts and Production major draws upon the conservatory’s vast resources, including more than 500 live performances annually and state-of-the-art recording facilities. Led by expert faculty, students gain both the technical expertise and aesthetic understanding needed to succeed in today’s diverse and dynamic music industry.

“This program demonstrates our commitment to expanding the aperture of today’s conservatory education,” says Dean of the Conservatory William Quillen. “We are preparing students for fulfilling and relevant careers across the professional music landscape. This has been a hallmark of Oberlin’s education throughout our 158-year history, and it is more crucial today than ever before.”

Andrew Tripp, Associate Professor and Chair of Recording Arts and Production, says the program has been enthusiastically received by both students and faculty. “We’re thrilled with the reception to the program and couldn’t be happier to have successfully launched this fall. Our inaugural class is off to a great start, and we have several exciting projects lined up in the coming months.”

Among those educational projects is a multitrack archival recording of Omar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera by Oberlin alum Rhiannon Giddens ’00 and Michael Abels, taking place this December at Oberlin’s Finney Chapel. In January, celebrated musician Jacob Jolliff, who has toured with world-famous banjo player Béla Fleck, will come to campus to record a mandolin concerto written by Oberlin composition faculty member Jesse Jones.

“Our goal is to not only provide students with the technical skills needed for a career in audio production,” says Tripp, “but also to teach them what it means to be a true partner in the creative process. The number of high-level events produced by the conservatory each year is staggering, and when paired with our world-class facilities, it makes Oberlin the ideal place to learn and explore.”

The Recording Arts and Production major builds on Oberlin’s longstanding tradition of innovation and excellence in music education, equipping students with the tools and experiences they need to thrive in the evolving landscape of professional music production.

About Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Founded in 1865, Oberlin Conservatory of Music is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant performance opportunities. The conservatory offers more than 500 performances annually, many of which are free and open to the public. Its distinguished alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning composers, Grammy Award-winning musicians, and leaders across the music industry.

For more information, visit the Recording Arts and Production website. The application for new and transfer students is available now and due December 1.