About

The Oberlin Conservatory of Music Summer Programs offer a suite of intensive, instrument- and discipline-specific workshops for serious high school musicians, held each summer on Oberlin's campus in Ohio. Oberlin Conservatory is widely regarded as one of the premier conservatories in the United States, and its summer offerings bring high school students into direct contact with its faculty, facilities, and musical culture — a meaningful preview for any student considering conservatory study.

Programs run from five days to two weeks depending on the track, and span a range of disciplines. The Baroque Performance Institute (June 18–July 2), now in its 54th year, is the flagship — a two-week immersion in baroque instruments and voice open to players ages 15 and up, with approximately 10 half-tuition scholarship spots reserved for high school students. The Flute Boot Camp (June 24–28) admits 12 advanced high school flutists for a week of private lessons, master classes, technical workshops, and an optional concert. The Trumpet Workshop (June 21–25) is open to high school players ages 15 and up alongside college and adult participants, with a focus on fundamentals and solo repertoire. The Organ Academy (July 12–18) is designed for students considering undergraduate organ study and includes lessons, master classes, harpsichord, improvisation, and college audition preparation. The Sonic Arts Workshop is a 10-day program for advanced high school composers interested in electroacoustic music, taught by TIMARA faculty; participants may earn one Oberlin credit upon completion. The Young Composers Workshop (July 19–26) is the most selective offering — just 10 high school composers are admitted, each commissioned to write a work for an Oberlin student ensemble, which they then rehearse, workshop, and have premiered and professionally recorded during the week.

Costs vary by program and format. Residential fees for most programs run approximately $1,450–$1,900 for housing and meals; the Sonic Arts Workshop is $1,700 residential. Commuter options are available for most tracks at lower cost. The BPI includes half-tuition scholarships for high school students; other programs do not advertise scholarship support on their primary pages.

Selectivity varies significantly by track. The Young Composers Workshop (10 spots) and Flute Boot Camp (12 spots) are the most selective. The BPI, Trumpet Workshop, and Organ Academy are competitive but not as tightly constrained. Admission to all tracks requires an application and in most cases evidence of serious prior training.

For a serious high school musician — particularly one drawn to Oberlin for undergraduate study — these programs offer something most summer music camps cannot: direct immersion in a working conservatory environment taught by its own faculty.