<p>Hello CC! I'm a freshman looking to transfer, and Oberlin came up when I was researching voice programs. I looked at the audition requirements and it asks for two contrasting selections in Italian, English, German etc. My main question is this: the voice department is probably looking for Art Song/Arias, correct(i.e. you couldn't use a "legit" music theatre piece)? I have art songs prepared anyway, and would most likely use them, but I want to consider all my options.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I hope someone better qualified to answer will chime in. I’ll give you this, from a parent of a conservatory prospect who started but didn’t follow through with an application: the conservatory is a helpful resource here. In particular, the admission office is there for you. If they cannot answer your questions directly, they can put you in touch with the vocal professors who will be evaluating your audition – the ones you will be studying with if you enroll – or they will find out the answer from those professors. You’ll be working very closely with these people during your years as a conservatory student. You will want to have artistic compatibility with them – and they’ll want a rapport with you – so this audition is much more than a time to showcase tour talent. It is not American Idol. The pieces you select matter, so don’t leave it to chance or guess or rely on potentially bad information about the mindset of the vocal professors who will be deciding whether you’re one of the handful of people they want to invest in for the next few years. The conservatory admission office – which manages the application process but does not perform the evaluative or decision making function that the college admission office performs – is your resource. I think that’s why you don’t see very much conservatory activity here on CC: the conservatory admission office is there for you to get this type of question answered. Good luck!</p>
<p>The Conservatory provides training in classical voice. Classical voice at Oberlin does not include musical theater. It is safer to audition with art songs, but do carefully read the audition requirements.</p>