<p>Next year we start the college search for my D. Oberlin seems like a good fit in many ways. She plays an instrument but will not be applying to the conservatory (she is a science/English kid - bit of an unusual combination). Do students in arts and sciences have the chance to get involved in music ensembles, take music lessons etc. I'm sure she won't be able to compete skill-wise with someone at the conservatory, but she would like to continue with music as a part of her life. No rush to answer, but thanks for your input.</p>
<p>I have a son who is in both the con and the college, in the double degree program. I think it is not that easy to study formally under a con professor as a student from the college. We found this to be true most the places we looked that had strong music programs or conservatories. On the other hand, Oberlin has a vibrant musical scene with many ensembles, formal and non, and an incredible number of performances to choose from, especially for such a small place. I think a significant portion of college students are involved in music in one way or another. So it might be the ideal place for a non-music major to stay involved in music.</p>
<p>Thanks, that is very helpful. I’m guessing we’ll be out to look at Oberlin later in the year!</p>
<p>Our S is also considering Oberlin, but is concerned about availability of music opportunities for non-Conservatory students. There are some other CC threads on this topic and what I have gleaned from them is this: If you just want to go to concerts and listen to music, Oberlin is a great place. But if you are not in the conservatory and you want to perform music, take music classes or take music lessons, it may not be so great. </p>
<p>I do not believe that Convervatory music ensembles are open to liberal arts students. In recent years, they have created an orchestra just for liberal arts students (conducted by a Conservatory student). However, my S plays jazz and, as far as I know, there are no jazz ensembles set aside for liberal arts students. Regarding music lessons – except in unusual circumstances, liberal arts students cannot take lessons from Conservatory professors; they can take lessons from Conservatory students. Regarding music courses – Conservatory students get top priority in registering for music classes, so liberal arts students may get shut out of many of them. There are, however, a few sections of the introductory music courses reserved for liberal arts students. Majoring or minoring in music is not an option for liberal arts students. </p>
<p>I’m sure that there are plenty of opportunities for amateur musicians to jam together informally, create their own bands etc. But I don’t think they should expect any musical guidance or support from the college.</p>
<p>It is also possible to major in music through the college; there are courses in music history geared for such students at the introductory level, and those students can also take music theory courses. Check the catalog and blogs, e.g., <a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/community/music_theater_arts/music_opportuni.shtml[/url]”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/community/music_theater_arts/music_opportuni.shtml</a>
Students from the college can audition for study at the conservatory - some will be able to study with faculty, others with conservatory students who have advanced skills.
There are also some opportunities for non-jazz studies students to perform in the jazz ensembles, if they audition successfully.</p>
<p>The door is not shut at all. It’s possible:</p>
<p>[Oberlin</a> Blogs | Blog Entry: “Opportunities for College Musicians”](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/applying/opportunities_f.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/applying/opportunities_f.shtml)</p>
<p>Thanks, this is all very helpful. I think for my daughter if she can take lessons even from a con student and maybe play in an ensemble or a pit orchestra that would be enough. I was afraid that she might be shut out from any music opportunities at Oberlin.</p>
<p>one great thing about Oberlin for any musician, in the con or not, is that there are a large number of practice rooms and performance venues available, loads of recitals and concerts, and music of all kinds all around. A college student who makes an effort will find lots of opportunities.</p>
<p>I read the blog on “Opportunities for College Musicians” and it does appear that a student in the college who is a good, but not great, jazz musician could get into one of the jazz combos at the conservatory. So, I stand corrected on that. In addition, there is a music major at the college, known as “Musical Studies.” However, one of the requirements of the major is to participate in at least two of several listed music ensembles – which are audition-based and do not appear to encompass jazz groups. So, even to be a music major in the college, you must have achieved a fairly high level of proficiency on at least one instrument.</p>
<p>That is quite typical of music majors (B.A. as well as B.Mus.) anywhere - music majors generally must have some basic proficiency on piano and also participate in some kind of ensemble (which could include chorus or, for ethnomusicology, gamelan, at some colleges). If anything, there are more opportunities at Oberlin that at virtually any other liberal arts college because of the size of the faculty and the plentiful practice rooms and other facilities.</p>
<p>in re: Steverino’s post #4, it’s what Mark Twain said: "Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. "</p>
<p>“I do not believe that Convervatory music ensembles are open to liberal arts students.”
- not true; one can audition</p>
<p>“as far as I know, there are no jazz ensembles set aside for liberal arts students.”
-self-corected - see post #9</p>
<p>“Regarding music lessons – except in unusual circumstances, liberal arts students cannot take lessons from Conservatory professors”
- not true; see post #5</p>
<p>“Majoring or minoring in music is not an option for liberal arts students.”
- self-corected - see post #9 </p>
<p>“But I don’t think they should expect any musical guidance or support from the college.”
- not true; see other posts from other non-Con musicians</p>
<p>There are definitely opportunities but you will need to be pro-active about them if you want to be involved right away. Especially at the beginning of the year, I think even during orientation, there are auditions and tests to get into conservatory classes so look out for those or they might pass you by. My experience with conservatory student teachers was good and ensembles might not be perfect but still provide a nice opportunity to play with less commitment than con ones require.</p>
<p>someone linked to this thread, which I missed before, so I thought I’d restate here what I wrote there.</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind about lessons from conservatory students: conservatory students are pretty darned good. D1 played an instrument, well but not conservatory level, and she took lessons there from a conservatory student who had prior teaching experience and was reportedly the best instrument teacher D1 ever had.</p>
<p>One other avenue is ethnomusicology, I was a 4 yr member of the Gamelan and also took a yr of lessons on the Japanese shakuhachi from a visiting fulbright. Though it wasn’t my instrument from HS (flute), it was music making for me!</p>
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<p>This was my experience with piano lessons my first semester, playing in a student-taught gamelan ExCo, and even with informal clarinet lessons from a friend – the student teachers are really extraordinary.</p>
<p>I’m in the College and was concerned about disappearing within a very deep talent pool, but there are abundant opportunities for people at all levels to make all kinds of music, and I’ve never gotten the impression that musicians who aren’t Conservatory caliber are looked down on. The only thing that’s restricted my ability to play music at Oberlin is lack of spare time…</p>