Improvisation Minor

The minor consists of a minimum of 20 credits and 1 presentation of work.

View the catalog page for the contemporary music division.

The improvisation minor offers Bachelor of Music students the opportunity to explore improvisation through a broad range of idioms and practices. Students will gain an understanding of improvised music through performance, as well as creative and critical practices, in order to support and strengthen their artistic work. The minor draws on multiple departments in the Conservatory of Music to offer a stylistically diverse program, allowing students to pursue a pathway that both complements and expands their artistic interests.

Summary of Requirements

Course Requirements

Eight Credits of Performative Practice Courses
Eight Credits of Critical and Creative Practice Courses
Four Additional Credits of Performative Practice, Critical and Creative Practice, and/or Approved College Courses

Non-Course Requirements

Presentation of Work

Note(s) on Requirements

Courses must be taken in at least two different areas outside of the student’s major department / division (for APST, department/division home is defined by the instructor of record).
APST 143 is applicable as either a performative practice course or a critical and creative practice course; it may not be counted for both categories.
If a student wishes to count a course that is not listed below toward the minor, they can petition the minor chair(s) for approval to apply the completed or in-progress course toward their minor.
- As a specific example, with approval from the minor chair, up to four credits of improvisation-focused Arts and Sciences coursework may also count toward the minor.
In planning their schedules, students should be aware that some of the courses listed below have prerequisites.

Declaring the Minor

Students wishing to complete the improvisation minor should consult with the minor chair to assure that the minor program is coherent, and complete the Oberlin Conservatory change in major form. The form requires the signature of the minor chair.

Chair
Dana E. Jessen, Associate Professor of Contemporary Music and Improvisation and Director of Professional Development

Detailed Minor Requirements

Improvisation Minor Course Lists

Performative Practice Courses

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Notes:

Private lessons and private readings may count toward this requirement if improvisation is the core focus of study.
Jazz ensemble credit may only count toward the minor if a student is not a jazz composition or jazz performance major and is accepted into a jazz ensemble through audition.

Critical and Creative Practice Courses

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Notes:

Private lessons and private readings may count toward this requirement if improvisatory practice is central to the lessons or area of research.
Jazz composition and jazz performance majors may count either JAZZ 290 or JAZZ 291 toward the minor, but not both.
100- and 200-level courses in composition and TIMARA may only count toward the minor if a student is not a composition or TIMARA major, respectively.

Approved College Courses

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Improvisation Minor Non-Course Requirements

Presentation of Work

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The culminating presentation of work may take the form of a performance, lecture/demo, research presentation, portfolio, or other format approved by the minor chair.