News
Academic by Day, Actor by Night: Afia Ofori-Mensa in 'Simply Simone'
September 14, 2017
Hillary Hempstead
Afia Ofori-Mensa deactivated her personal Facebook account, hoping to recover time she spent on the site to writing a book manuscript. Instead, Ofori-Mensa found herself playing a young Nina Simone in a production of 'Simply Simone: The Music of Nina Simone' at Karamu House in Cleveland.
![Production of Simply Simone at Karamu House Four women singing on stage at Karamu House in a production of Simply Simone](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/simplysimone.png?itok=92tRsVYg)
Jamey Haddad’s World Ensemble Under One Sun Debuts on Oberlin Music
September 12, 2017
By Erich Burnett
Oberlin Conservatory faculty member Jamey Haddad and his longtime musician friend Billy Drewes release their first recording together with Oberlin Music Label.
![album cover for Under One Sun](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/under_one_sun_cover_screen_shot_for_web.png?itok=aADkS9iE)
Obies Helping Obies
September 12, 2017
Amanda Nagy
The revamped academic advising model launched this fall aims to transform the first-year experience.
![PAL rock painting Painted rock in Tappan Square](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/pal_rock-dana_hamdan.jpg?itok=5pO-mKV8)
Oberlin Orchestra Welcomes New Students—and Everyone Else—to Experience Music at the Conservatory
September 11, 2017
By Erich Burnett
Raphael Jiménez, associate professor of conducting and director of Oberlin Orchestras, invites students and community members to an introductory concert to kick off the 2017-2018 large ensemble performance season at Oberlin.
![So May I Introduce to You... flyer announcing orchestra concert](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/9.15_smiity_concert-1_copy.png?itok=_GdmNWUq)
Oh SNATS!
September 8, 2017
Conservatory Communications Staff
Voice major Theodora Nestorova launches a campus group for singers.
![Theodora Nestorova.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/nestorova_for_web.jpg?itok=2FZn_apu)
Northeast Ohio’s Music Community Unites for Harvey Relief September 8
September 7, 2017
by Cathy Partlow Strauss
Oberlin Conservatory students, alumni, and faculty will join with musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra and students from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Credo Music for "Help After Harvey: A Benefit Concert for the American Red Cross."
![Severance hall stage](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/20170831-houston-banner-v1_copy.jpg?itok=z0MR5F6U)
Professor of Conducting Robert Spano Leads Fall Convocation Series
September 6, 2017
Communications Staff
Robert Spano '84 will talk about the "State of the Art" in a discussion moderated by Conservatory Dean Andrea Kalyn.
![Robert Spano ’84 Robert Spano ’84](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/robert_spano-atlanta_angela_morris3_2_0.jpg?itok=Mb3mc0-l)
Sept. 10 Faculty Concert to Include André Previn Premiere
September 6, 2017
By Erich Burnett
The first Faculty Chamber Series performance of the 2017-18 season includes the world premiere of a piece by pianist and composer André Previn called "Montfort." The concert will be streamed live.
![poster highlighting score for oboe and piano music](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/img_8312.jpg?itok=GNYCARmm)
President Ambar Responds to DACA Announcement
September 5, 2017
Communications Staff
President Ambar sent a message to the campus community in response to the announced phase-out of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
PACE Program Reenvisions Music Education for the 21st Century
September 1, 2017
By Jody Kerchner
Oberlin Conservatory’s new Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement or PACE division prepares students for vibrant, diverse, and meaningful careers in the continually shifting musical landscape of the 21st century.
![Oberlin Music at Grafton singing practice with Oberlin faculty](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/jody_kerchner_prison1_by_walter_novak.jpg?itok=mJQq5Mjw)