Master of Music in Historical Performance: Baroque Cello/Viola da Gamba Concentration

Procedures for Admission

The graduate program in Historical Performance can be pursued either as a five-year program in combination with an undergraduate degree in a modern instrument, or by persons who hold a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin or another institution. Applicants are admitted based on an audition on their major instrument and a review of their academic record.  Students audition for the five-year program during their junior year, and are expected to present a level comparable to any other applicant for the Master’s program.

Once admitted, students in the two-year Master’s program must demonstrate baccalaureate competence in music history and music theory. Deficiencies must be remedied by taking appropriate undergraduate coursework, or in the case of music history, by either coursework or re-examination.

Placement Exams

Two-year Master of Music: Exams in music history and music theory must be taken during orientation.

Residence

Completion of the two-year Master of Music degree program will typically require full-time residence for four semesters beyond the Bachelor’s degree.

Program Completion

All requirements for the two-year Master of Music degree must be completed within three years from the date of admission. Students are encouraged to attend the summer Baroque Performance Institute and may use the credits earned there toward the degree.

Grading

No credit with a grade lower than B- may be counted toward the requirements of the Master’s Degree.

Degree Requirements

The catalog includes sample grids for the five-year program. For information regarding the curricular requirements for instruments not included in these samples, please contact the Director of the Historical Performance Program.