When I applied to Oberlin, I knew very little about the school except that it was a small liberal arts college with a phenomenal music conservatory. That was enough to get me to apply and as I did more research - discovering that the college was phenomenal,too, and that a $5 million gift for a new jazz building had just been announced - it became clear quickly that this was the right place for me. I came here as a college student hoping to profit from the conservatory without having to enroll, and although I was indeed able to do this, I ended up transferring into the double-degree program. In this post, I'm going to attempt to enumerate the various ways in which college kids can benefit from the conservatory; I am a jazz musician, and as such can only give personal testimonial to that aspect of the program, but I will try and relay pertinent anecdotes from other divisions of the conservatory as well. This post should be thought of as a supplement to the information available directly from the conservatory, rather than as the definitive account of the musical happenings at Oberlin.
From the outset, it's important to note that the conservatory and its faculty are first and foremost obligated to meet the needs of its students. It has been my experience that faculty members are always happy to meet with college students, but the extent to which they can adopt non-conservatory students depends on the size of the studio in a given year. I was fortunate during my freshman year that two freshman jazz drummers left the program; the jazz studio is relatively small in size and so this was a palpable loss and created a void that I was able to opportunistically fill. I first had to audition in order to be able to sign up for small ensembles, and upon being approved was easily able to find musicians willing to subject themselves to my playing. I was also able to sit in on a jazz performance class taught by members of the jazz faculty, which I credit as one of the most helpful learning experiences I've had at Oberlin in terms of getting up to speed as a jazz drummer. In this class I was introduced to Billy Hart, the jazz drum set professor, and after hearing me play he graciously offered to give me lessons, which I took for half credit during spring semester.
Billy Hart with The Bad Plus (from left, Dave King, Hart, Ethan Iverson, and Reid Anderson) at NightTown in Cleveland, September 2007. After the show I interviewed Iverson for The Grape, which was great fun.
My experience is neither unique nor commonplace. Trying to study with a conservatory professor is like trying to take an upper-level seminar in a subject that isn't your major: if the instructor has room and if you demonstrate your willingness to learn and work at a high level, you stand a good chance of getting in. You aren't guaranteed a spot, but you also aren't summarily dismissed.
At the beginning of each school year, students interested in taking lessons and playing in ensembles must audition in front of the division faculty, and they are placed according to ability and availability. Conservatory students also teach secondary lessons, and anyone who is unable to study with a faculty member can receive a weekly half-hour lesson from a conservatory student. As the students giving lessons are themselves receiving instruction from the faculty, a lot of college musicians wind up following a regimen of study identical to that administered to conservatory students. Additionally, studying with someone your own age can be a lot less intimidating than studying with someone who's performed with the New York Philharmonic, and as such the lessons may wind up being more fruitful.
Classes in the conservatory are generally available to college students; you need to speak with the professor first and they will usually let you into the course if you can meet the prerequisites. But be wary: I was able to get into a 200-level music history class my first semester, but had to drop it almost immediately when I realized I was in over my head. Some courses are harder to get into than others depending on the program and the year. For example, the "Studio Techniques" class in the Technology In Music And Related Arts (TIMARA) division is one of the most coveted courses in the school, so don't expect to get into that without a sterling resume of relevant work and a fair share of tenacity.
Hanging out in Hales Studio A, the main jazz rehearsal space. It does the trick, but we're eager for the new building to open.
Oberlin is overflowing with musical ensembles. There are over 400 conservatory-sanctioned concerts each year, not to mention innumerable student bands, a capella groups, folk singers, chamber groups, a steel drum band, et cetera. I can say with complete certainty that anyone possessing even a modicum of musical ability will find a group willing to welcome them with open arms. It is understandably harder to get placed in some of the large ensembles like the Oberlin Orchestra or the Contemporary Music Ensemble, though certainly not impossible and probably a bit easier than getting lessons with a professor. Conservatory ensembles require an audition, and it is usually the same as your lesson placement audition. The auditions are based on merit and not on your status as a college or conservatory student: after all, the ensemble directors are the ones listening to your audition and they want their orchestra to sound as good as it can. If you're someone with a lot to offer musically, they'll take notice.
Even if you choose not to participate in any ensembles and take no lessons, you still stand to benefit from the music at Oberlin simply by being immersed in Oberlin's musical culture. Some of the most important learning I've done at Oberlin has been from watching my peers perform. Concerts are one of the main recreational activities on campus; student bands perform in Wilder Bowl on Fridays when the weather's nice; every party has a band or a DJ; aloof voice majors stroll through Tappan Square humming themes from Schubert's "Die Winterreise." Not only is there music everywhere, but it's very good music. I went to a party at a certain small liberal arts college in my home state of Maine (rhymes with "toad in"), and listened to what I was told was the only student band on campus, and they were abysmal. At Oberlin, you get to see live music that people in the real world would pay a $15 cover charge and two-drink minimum to hear.
My practice room at the beginning of the semester. (Add about 40 empty coffee cups, scraps of paper, two large stacks of books, and a bunch of Ginger Chew wrappers to get an idea of how it looked at the end.)
The confluence of music and academics at Oberlin really does make it one of a kind. I looked at several liberal arts schools purported to have good music programs and none of them even began to approach what Oberlin has available in terms of material and intellectual facilities. (200 Steinways, 150 practice rooms, and a TIMARA lab are readily available for all students, not to mention the world-class faculty.) It is difficult to adequately discuss what opportunities are available for college musicians in the conservatory because of the variance in performers' backgrounds. I've tried to cover my bases but if you have any questions please ask me and I'll do my best to give you an answer specific to your circumstances. Also, I would encourage you to get in contact with some of the faculty in the conservatory dean's office, who are infinitely more knowledgeable about this subject than I and who can direct you towards more pertinent information.
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Hey Will, I'm considering Oberlin and I've been looking at your blog. I'm a saxophonist, pianist, a guitarist and just an all around dedicated musician. However, I will most likely major in English/German. The music scene you describe here sounds great, but as someone outside of the conservatory I'd want to make sure I could get some instruction and play in the wind ensemble at the very least. I was hoping you could just tell me some more about the opportunities I'd have to play music at Oberlin. Specifically, if you happen to know how competitive the wind ensemble is, or anything about the saxophone teacher(s). As someone in the jazz program, how hard would you say it would be to play sax in a jazz ensemble or combo? Thanks alot. I like the blog.
Posted by: Ben Sandman on November 7, 2008 3:25 PM
Hi Ben, thanks for writing. I asked a friend of mine who plays in the wind ensemble, and unfortunately she said that being a college saxophonist will put you at an unusual disadvantage, in that the wind ensemble is one of only two conservatory ensembles that require saxophonists. (The other is the Contemporary Music Ensemble.) As such, positions in both ensembles get filled up by the saxophone studio pretty quickly. But if you're playing classical saxophone at a very high level it's not outside the realm of possibility. The classical saxophone professor is Paul Cohen and if you contact him via e-mail I'm sure he'll be able to help further.
As far as jazz goes, it's quite a bit easier to get into a combo (provided you've got the chops), and most groups are always willing to throw another horn in the mix. The oberlin jazz ensemble might be tougher to get a seat in, but also well within the realm of possibility. And I don't know if you'd be able to get for-credit lessons with Gary Bartz, but from what I've seen and heard of him (and if he's anything like the other jazz faculty members here) he'd be more than happy to toss some wisdom your way if you showed up at his studio with a sax in hand.
Posted by: Will on November 7, 2008 3:26 PM
Hi Will! Thanks so much for writing this blog, it definantly helped me get a better understanding of the music scene at Oberlin. I'm a junior at an arts high school in Toledo, OH, and am starting to consider colleges and look into visiting. I'm a flutist, and I am the director of two flute choirs, a chamber winds ensemble, and also play in and help lead my jazz band (plus a wind ensemble and a studio orchestra...I'm a busy kid!). I know I definantly want to major in flute performance and maybe also major in Music Education. What I want to know more about is the jazz program at Oberlin. Is the program mostly big bands, or do you also have (smaller) combos? Right now I play in a combo, with a drummer, vibes player, trumpter, bassist, guitarist, and violinist. I'm used to smaller groups, and have never played in a big band. Most groups around Toledo don't want a flutist, because I don't double on saxophone, nor do I want to. Would there be a place for me at Oberlin in the jazz program? Its not something I want to give up! Also-can I person play in both a jazz ensemble and a classical ensemble? Is there a limit to how many ensembles you can play in? Do Oberlin students ever just get together outside of class and jam? Do Oberlin students ever create their own groups outside of class and gig? Thanks in advance for answering all my questions (I have a lot of them!) I'd just like to know from a student who is in the jazz program what you think of it. Thanks again! -Katelyn
Posted by: Katelyn on November 7, 2008 3:27 PM
Hey Katelyn, thanks for all the great questions. The jazz program at Oberlin only has one big band in the traditional sense, the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble. Students are then able to form combos on their own, which meet weekly for a coached rehearsal. The fact that we can make our own combos is one of the nicer parts of Oberlin's jazz program, and I think we all kind of take it for granted. At NEC or SUNY Purchase or other jazz programs comparable to Oberlin, combos are assigned by the faculty based on an audition, and you have no control over the songs you play. Totally lame. If you are proficient on your instrument you should be able to get into a combo no problem. You'll have to audition, of course, and demonstrate your abilities as an improviser, but once approved you have free reign to join any group that wants a flute. There are only two people I know of in the jazz program who play flute, and both double on other instruments, so it's definitely not a competitive instrument. There's no limit to how many ensembles you can play in, but you can only register for credit for one ensemble, and each coached ensemble must have at least two members signed up for credit. (This keeps the number of coached small ensembles at around 20 a semester.) Oberlin students jam all the time; the most readily available jazz jam is at Professor Beers every Thursday afternoon, though there are others. And Oberlin students definitely form groups outside of class and gig -- this fall, a band I'm in, "Like Bells", is performing at the Grog Shop and (tentatively) the Agora Ballroom, two of Cleveland's largest rock music venues. Jazz groups also have performed in Cleveland (the Bop Stop and Night Town are the two big jazz venues in Cleveland though obviously there are other places that hire bands) but, as with everywhere else in this crazy mixed-up world, jazz gigs are considerably harder to get than rock/pop gigs. Hopefully that's helpful, sorry it's all one big muddled paragraph. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.
Posted by: Will on November 7, 2008 3:29 PM
Wow. I can't imagine a better source of information for what I want to know right now about Oberlin and music. Thank you. I'm a senior, right now trying to narrow down my list of colleges. I've been really into Oberlin lately, but reading about the music scene and conservatory opportunities makes me want to drop all the other LACs on my list and apply to Oberlin early decision. This blog was great for me because I am also a jazz drummer. I've gotten really into jazz this past year and play in a quartet. I use a book by Billy Hart and the fact that he teaches at Oberlin and you study under him gives me the chills. Although I have no intentions of applying to any conservatories, I thought for a second about the double degree because it's so unique. I decided against it because I'm too into so many other things (languages, science--these are good at Oberlin too, yes?) that take up my time. My question is the same as Ben's, if I keep up my chops and go to Oberlin will I be able to take classes, take lessons with...Billy Hart?!, and get involved in bands? Two more questions: I've been looking at that college in Maine that rhymes with "toad in" as well; I'm into the outdoors and love the location. Is the difference in the student body between this school and Oberlin huge? And, do you see a outdoorsy crowd at Oberlin? are they able to fulfill their desire to do things outside? Thanks a bunch! -Greg
Posted by: Greg S on November 17, 2008 6:41 PM
Hey Greg, glad this was helpful! Again, it's hard to predict exactly what you will and won't be able to do here, but I'll do my best. If you continue to pursue music with at least a passing degree of seriousness then you will have no trouble finding people to play with. Rock bands are very easy to get together, so I wouldn't anticipate any trouble there. As far as classes go, most of the intro-level music courses are open to college students, and you can pursue it more if you get consent from the professor (which is not hard to obtain). Courses in jazz theory and jazz history will definitely be available for you to take and you might find them very helpful.
As far as lessons with Billy, that's a much trickier thing. As I said, I was able to get lessons with him as a college student, but it was very much through blind luck on my part--he happened to be at a performance I was in with a jazz combo, and offered to give me secondary lessons based on that. (He also had one student drop out and one student transfer, so he had more time than usual to take on extra students). By and large he's very busy, and he's also not here too often -- maybe seven weeks a semester, for three days a week, and he teaches and coaches ensembles non-stop during that time. But even though for-credit formal lessons (insofar as he gives "formal" lessons--they're usually more like conversations) might be hard to secure, he's always happy to have students and non-students stop by his studio when he's here and so you'd definitely have ample opportunity to pick his brain.
With Bowdoin, I can only relay what little anecdotal experience I have from hanging out there, which should be regarded for exactly what it is--hearsay. Bowdoin seems to me to be very "preppy", which Oberlin decidedly is not, and there are about 1/3 as many students. I can't speak to the academics there, having never sat in on a class, but it's almost certain that Bowdoin, like Oberlin or Bates or Grinnell or any of the other "top" liberal arts colleges (whatever that means), is very strong academically. It's a gorgeous campus and I can write for hours about how beautiful I think Maine is, but I definitely think Oberlin has more going on in just about every possible way.
The best thing for you to do is visit both and see for yourself, but the way I see it is that at all the schools in this level you're going to get superlative academic quality, so the deciding factors then become the less "tangible" elements. In terms of available resources, campus size (a pleasantly moderate size of 800 kids per class versus something like 200 at bowdoin), music, art, culture, the co-op system, etc. etc., I think Oberlin wins handily. But again, I don't go to Bowdoin and never really considered going there, so this is all circumstantial. My friends there would just as readily list off reasons why Bowdoin is a better choice. (But I bet most of the reasons would have something to do with their dining hall, which, while awesome, should not be the sole persuasive factor in college decisions...)
And as for outdoors-- Yes, Oberlin is by and large very "outdoorsy." Regrettably, you won't find an equivalent for New England's beautiful mountainous landscape out here in the midwest (Kentucky's got some good hikes, but it's at least 4 hours' drive...granted, that's also how long it takes to get to the White mountains or Katahdin from Brunswick), but there's a special kind of beauty to rural flatlands that deserves mention, and we have an outing club that goes on long camping trips over school breaks, usually at least partially if not fully financed by the college. Lake Erie is right nearby which affords some outdoor recreational opportunities, and cycling trips all across northeastern Ohio are common if that's your thing. Do keep in mind that your schoolwork will likely take up a considerable chunk of your waking hours, which will make outdoor excursions difficult at any college, let alone Oberlin.
So that's been a very long answer to your questions, and I hope it was at least partially helpful. Feel free to ask for more specifics if there's something I still haven't satisfactorily covered.
Posted by: Will on November 17, 2008 6:43 PM
Hi Will, I have been reading your very helpful blog, and you seem to have been in a position very similar to mine when you entered Oberlin. I want to pursue neuroscience, but I also want to play music. I have two simple questions, hopefully you can answer them-- I already play two instruments, oboe and bass guitar, and I would like to continue to pursue them. Would I have time to adequately pursue both of them or would I probably have to focus on one, do you think? Also, is bass guitar accepted among the jazz players there? That leads me to my next question-I also want to start playing upright bass, and I may be able to start before I go to college, but if I can't, how supportive is Oberlin for starting a new instrument, in other words, could I get an instrument from them, could I get a teacher to give me the basics? Thanks so much for any insight you may have.
Posted by: Alex on December 15, 2008 5:59 PM
Hey Alex, thanks for writing. How much time you have to pursue music is pretty variable; obviously, neuroscience is a demanding major and will take up a lot of your time. It's certainly possible to pursue both instruments along with your college degree, but it won't be with the same depth that you might have if you just focused on one. But yes, I suspect you'd have time to pursue both to an adequate degree.
As far as bass guitar vs. upright, all the jazz majors here play upright and most also are able to play electric. (I suspect a lot of them got their start on electric before switching to upright.) It's unorthodox to have electric bass in a small ensemble, but it's not unheard of either. With the jazz groups, everyone's pretty easy-going, and the prevailing sentiment is that if it sounds good, it is good. Amplification requirements be damned. And of course a good electric bass player is a highly valuable commodity on the student band circuit, so you'd have no shortage of opportunities there.
Oberlin will be very supportive of the switch from electric to upright. There are basses available though I am not sure just how available they are. You'd want to audition for secondary lessons during orientation, and then your student teacher would be able to hook you up with a usable instrument.
Hope that helps!
Posted by: Will on December 15, 2008 8:31 PM
Hi,
well I'm in my junior year going on to my senior and I've been searching for colleges. I have an idea of what I want to pursue which is meshing my two talents together-writing and my knowlege of music. Currently I go to an IB school and am taking music higher level, I play the flute and sing. but I do not want to pursue either of the two seriously, would I still be able to get into oberlin and study music even if i dont play? Oberlin sounds like an amazing school, but I dont want to go there and feel left out because I only want to study music theory and not becoming an instrumentalist, also I wouldn't want to take the spot from someone who does.
any suggestions?
thanks
-Kathy
Posted by: Kathy on April 19, 2009 8:14 PM
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for writing. It sounds like you're a good fit for the College Music major, which includes theoretical work, musicology, and ethnomusicology but not performance.
It would also be possible for you to declare an individual major in any of those three areas (music theory, musicology, or ethnomusicology). As someone who declared an individual major (albeit in the conservatory, not the college), I can speak very highly of it as a great resource here at Oberlin and one worth pursuing, especially if you have a fairly specific understanding of what you want to study here.
More info on the IM: http://new.oberlin.edu/dotAsset/832179.pdf
More info on the College Music major: http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/departments/musical_studies/requirements.dot
Posted by: Will on April 19, 2009 10:04 PM
Hi Will,
I'm Julia and will be entering the college class of 2013 next year. First of all, Thanks for the post! I've been hunting for answers to this question for a while, and this helps a lot. I know you may not be able to help me with this question, but I'm a serious violin player and was wondering about chamber music opportunities for college students. String quartets, and what not. Do you know anything about this or know anyone that might be able to help me? Thanks!
Julia
Posted by: Julia Ruby on April 28, 2009 8:14 PM
Hi Julia,
I asked around and if you're playing at a high level you should have little problem finding a chamber group to join. Auditions are held during orientation or the first week of classes, just like for lessons, but of course many chamber ensembles are formed outside of the auspices of the conservatory as well. Keep your ear to the ground when you get here and I'm sure you'll find all the information you need.
best,
will
Posted by: Will on May 2, 2009 5:33 PM
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