Frequently Asked Questions:
Will I be able to get a job in my field after earning a bachelor's degree in music?
What are the possible career paths for a musician?
What background do I need to have in order to enter a degree program in music?
What will the audition be like?
How different will studying music at the college level be compared to my high school experiences?
What should I do in high school to get ready for majoring in music?
Can I pursue a double major with music and another non-music major?
Yes, although to be perfectly honest the answer to this question really depends upon the specific degree program you select! There are more full time jobs available for music educators and music therapists with bachelor's degrees than there are positions for performance degree graduates, for example. Recent music therapy and music education graduates of the School of Music have done very well landing positions in their field. Students who elect to complete degrees in music fields such as music theory, history, composition and performance often go on to advanced study at the graduate level in order to be ready for these highly competitive fields. The School of Music is proud that many of its students have gone on to successfully complete graduate degrees from the most prestigious programs in the country. Graduates of the School of Music are currently employed by major orchestras, opera companies, universities, school systems, clinical institutions, military bands, and a wide variety of other careers in music.
Careers in music can cover a lot of territory. Performers may be actively employed by opera companies, orchestras, chamber ensembles, as free-lance musicians or private studio teachers. Composers may be found pursuing their work as university faculty members, composer-in-residence, or working in such industries as film, recording, and computer game companies. Individuals with music degrees can be found as teachers, music therapists, executive directors of arts organizations, university faculty, business owners, and community arts leaders. The possibilities are endless - as with any rewarding endeavor, there is always room for individuals who are commited, talented, imaginative, creative, and energetic.
Students who want to enter a degree program in music will need to be able to demonstrate through an audition process that they possess the aptitude, talent, and skills needed for college level music study. More....
Auditions for prospective undergraduate students planning to major in music at Ohio University typically last approximately fifteen minutes and will be performed for performance division faculty. See the audition information web pages for specific requirements for your instrument or voice. Faculty will be evaluating auditioning students for musicianship, talent, and additional skills which may include sight reading and aural acuity. The entire School of Music audition process involves the performance assessment, a music theory fundamentals test, and an interview for prospective music education and therapy majors. School of Music faculty welcome inquiries from prospective students and will answer any specific questions you may have about the audition process.
Students entering university level music study will usually find that the intensity and focus of their work increases dramatically compared to their high school experiences. For most music majors the higher level of work and the opportunity to focus on musical development is simultaneously challenging and rewarding. For some students, however, the intense focus of the music major curriculum quickly produces the realization that what was "fun" in high school requires a level of commitment that they prefer to devote to another career path.
Incoming freshmen may declare only one major. Once a student is attending Ohio University, it is possible to declare a second major. Students must be admissable to both programs and meet the degree requirements of both majors. The School of Music advises students who are considering two majors to apply as a music major, as the professional core coursework for music degree programs(music theory, applied study, keyboard skills, aural skills) begins in first quarter of study. In addition, talent-based scholarships recommended by the School of Music may only be granted to students pursuing a music degree. Students interested in earning two degrees should also expect that their undergraduate studies will take longer than four years and understand that following two programs of study will require considerable planning in order to meet the requirements of each degree.