A few questions about college auditions/schools! (Flute)

BassDad
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:25:46 +0000

Oberlin College and Oberlin Conservatory are separate entities for admissions purposes, although they share a campus, dormitories and most other services. You can apply to either, or to both if you wish to be part of the Double Degree program. The College makes admissions decisions based on the usual academic criteria, although it takes a holistic approach rather than being completely numbers driven. Conservatory admission is very much based on an audition. I have heard members of the Conservatory admissions department say that the audition is about 80% of the decision, with the other 20% being an assessment of your ability to keep up in the electives you will take from the College - roughly one per semester. The College grants BA degrees and the Conservatory mostly grants BM degrees. The Double Degree program results in one of each (with the BA in a non-musical subject) and generally requires five years to complete.

It is possible to get a BA in Music through the College, but you cannot declare a music major on entrance. You need to do well in a couple of music classes first year, then audition toward the end of first year or at the start of second year. This audition will not be as hard as the one to get into the Conservatory, but neither will it be a piece of cake - particularly on a highly competitive instrument like flute.