Con admissions hit all-time high

Conservatory admissions reached yet another all-time high this year and landed the biggest applicant pool ever - 1,042.

As of this week, 152 musicians have committed to enrolling next year, exceeding the Conservatory's target goal by 10. Conservatory Director of Admissions Mike Manderen said he expects about five more positive responses to come in.

The Conservatory admitted 33 percent of all applicants, as it did last year.

Manderen said the yield - or percentage of accepted students who choose to attend Oberlin - is 46 percent, higher than his projected yield of 44 percent and a couple percentage points better than last year's yield.

Manderen said next year's class is "fabulous," and includes "phenomenally gifted pianists, virtuoso violinists and excellent horn players." His impression of the class is that it is as "good or better than any recent years."

An entering class which includes 10 new horn students is "a great sign," Manderen said. Traditionally, the horn department has not been one of the stronger Conservatory departments. During the past four years, the Conservatory has had three different horn teachers.

Another notable improvement is in the bassoon department. After not enrolling any bassoonists last year, the Conservatory has enrolled five new bassoonists.

But, said Manderen, "We have good students entering in virtually all departments."