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May 04, 2026
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[PRELIMINARY] Course Catalog 2026-2027
Performance Major: Organ Concentration
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The performance major: organ concentration consists of a minimum of 160 credits, a private study committee examination requirement, and a performance requirement.
Note: No credit with a grade lower than D may be counted toward the requirements of the concentration.
 View the catalog page for the keyboard studies division.
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Summary of Requirements
Course Requirements Non-Course Requirements Note(s) on Requirements
- Although it is not a requirement, first-year organ concentrators are encouraged to study piano or harpsichord as a secondary applied study.
- Depending on the skill level of the student, APST 221 and APST 222 may be taken during the first or second year. MLIT 213 and MLIT 214 should be taken in either the third or fourth year. These courses are offered in alternate years.
- By the end of the second year, the student chooses to focus on either performance or sacred music. APST 223 is only required of the sacred music focus and is an additional supplement and corequisite to their principal private study courses for one semester in preparation for the senior recital. All other organ students take an additional two credits of free elective courses.
- Two performances on a divisional, studio recital, or honors recital are expected before the junior recital may be scheduled.
Selection of Focus
At the conclusion of the sophomore year, organ students should choose a focus in either sacred music or organ performance, the principal difference being that the student with a focus in sacred music will begin preparation for a “sacred music project” to be presented as part of the senior recital. The scope of the project will be determined in consultation with the principal private study teacher and other faculty ad hoc. The student with a focus in organ performance must present performances on four of Oberlin’s major concert instruments as part of the junior and senior recitals. Miscellaneous
At the discretion of the principal private study teacher, performance majors with a concentration in organ are expected and encouraged to secure a position as an organist in the Oberlin/Cleveland greater area. International students in their first year of study may accept positions only with institutions affiliated with the organ department. Detailed Concentration Requirements
Performance Major: Organ Concentration Course Lists
Performance Major: Organ Concentration Non-Course Requirements
First Major Committee Examination
The first major committee examination will consist of approximately 8-10 minutes of solo music prepared with the principal private study teacher to be performed on the Warner Concert Hall Flentrop organ for the organ faculty at the end of the first year. Memorization is optional. The skills committee consists of a prepared hymn (chosen by the student in consultation with the principal private study teacher) with both a modulation and transposition. A 4-part open score will be provided to the student one week in advance of the examination to be condensed and read at the keyboard. A short piece of organ music will be provided at the committee to be read at sight. Evaluation is Pass/No Pass with comments provided by the faculty. Second Major Committee Examination
The second major committee examination will consist of approximately 8-12 minutes of solo music prepared with the principal private study teacher to be performed on the Warner Concert Hall Flentrop organ for the organ faculty at the end of the second year. Memorization is optional. The skills committee consists of melodic harmonization prepared in advance of the committee, a hymn to be read at sight and transposed with a modulation to the new key, an improvisation that will demonstrate the tonal resources of the pre-selected organ, and a self-learned composition (chosen by the student) of 6-10 minutes. Evaluation is Pass/No Pass with comments provided by the faculty. Third Major Committee Examination
The third major committee examination will consist of a self-learned composition chosen by the faculty and assigned to the student approximately two weeks prior to the committee. In addition, the student must sightread a trio and improvise in a style or genre chosen by the student upon the designated organ (5-10 minutes). Evaluation is graded with comments provided by the faculty. Performance Requirement
Return to the summary of requirements. While not required, each student is expected to complete two performances of a work from memory (6-10 minutes) in two departmental recitals on the Finney Chapel organ, typically during the first two years of study. Junior Recital
Note: Two performances on a divisional, studio recital, or honors recital are expected before the junior recital may be scheduled. - Administered in either semester of the junior year.
- Consists of a performance on two of Oberlin’s major concert instruments for a minimum of 25 minutes. Memorization is optional.
Senior Recital
- Administered in either semester of the senior year.
- Consists of a performance on two of Oberlin’s major concert instruments (contrasting from the junior recital) for a minimum of 50 minutes. Memorization is optional.
- Students with a focus in sacred music will present a musical project to be determined in consultation with the principal private study teacher (e.g., ensemble performance, hymn arranging, choral works, etc.) in place of half of the senior recital.
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