Oboe2008

I'm auditioning at Oberlin this Saturday. Oberlin is my dream school, so I reeeally want to do well, but I'm starting to get nervous.

Can anyone who already auditioned there give me any advice or tell me what to expect?

Thank you very much!

allstar24rk

Hello

I auditioned regionally in MN for the piano program at Oberlin. I don't know how much of this will be the same for you, but I'll tell you what it was like.

I was asked to choose what I wanted to play first, and then we went through the rest of the pieces chronologically. We actually didn't get to my final piece, which was by Ravel. Next I did some sight-reading, then I was asked to play "Happy Birthday" in the key of A major, then F major. Then the auditioner came to the piano and played pitches, intervals, and chords for me to identify. Finally, he asked me questions about my activities during high school and my goals at Oberlin (I talked about how I hoped to enter the double-degree program). Then he left time for me to ask him questions.

So overall it was a relaxed audition that tried to get a full perspective of you as a musician beyond the prepared repertoire (but, obviously, the repertoire still remains the most important aspect of the audition, in my opinion).

Hope this helps. Good luck!

BassDad

My daughter auditioned at Oberlin a few years ago. She also reported that it was a pretty relaxed audition, involving playing her prepared repertoire in the studio of one of the bass teachers for 20-25 minutes followed by a short chat to round out the half hour. There was also a pretty simple theory test in a classroom before the audition itself and an information session for both students and parents.

stringfollies

Any wisdom from a violinist who has auditioned at Oberlin?

nasi

My dd auditioned at Oberlin last weekend on oboe. We checked in early Saturday am and received her audition time. We saw at least 7 oboists there to audition that day. They gave a welcome talk and then a financial aid presentation (mostly for parents). There were plenty of practice rooms. Auditions were scheduled 15 minutes apart. You were to report outside the oboe room 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Only Mr. Klein was there and she felt it was a very relaxed and comfortable audition. She really liked him a lot. The theory test was done on-line from home. They sent a link in an email. Nancy

Oboe2008

Thank you all for your replies! I feel a bit more informed now, and I'm glad to know that the audition is very relaxed.

Nancy, I'll be auditioning on oboe too. I've seen Mr. Klein perform twice (as well as his Geico commercial ), and I'm very excited for the honor of meeting him. Is Oberlin one of your daughter's top choices? Where else has she auditioned?

Again, thanks to you all