Applying and Auditions
Application Procedures
Applicants for admission to the graduate program of the School of Music must meet both the general admission criteria established by the Graduate School and the music admission criteria established by the School of Music. These procedures can be downloaded from the following document:
Application Procedures (86 KB)
Graduate School — Admissions
General Admission Criteria
Please submit the following materials to the OSU Graduate Admission Office:
(U.S. Applicants)
Graduate Admissions Office
The Ohio State University
P.O. Box 182004
Columbus, OH 43218-2004
(International Applicants)
Graduate Admissions Office
The Ohio State University
P.O. Box 182083
Columbus, OH 43218-2083
- Application and application fee submitted online. Please indicate the “Department” as Music and the “Area of Specialization” as Music Education, Musicology, Music Theory, Composition, Conducting, Performance, or Pedagogy (for the latter two, also specify the voice or instrument). Fellowship applicants should see the application deadlines under “Funding Opportunities.”
- Two original official transcripts from each college or university attended. Graduate study in music requires an acceptable undergraduate degree in music with distribution of courses appropriate to the graduate major chosen. One set of the transcripts should be sent to the OSU Graduate Admissions Office; the other to the School of Music Graduate Studies Office (see below).
- A minimum score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer) or 79 (internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This requirement applies only to an applicant from a country where the first language is not English, unless a college degree was earned in an English-speaking country.
Please submit the following materials to the School of Music Graduate Studies Office:
Graduate Studies in Music
310 Weigel Hall
The Ohio State University
1866 College Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
- Three letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant's academic program or professional performance. Letters of recommendation that support a fellowship nomination must be submitted on official academic or business letterhead and cannot be sent via e-mail or fax.
- An autobiographical statement describing the applicant's educational and professional goals and objectives. Music Education requires a professional résumé in addition to the autobiographical statement.
- A curriculum vitae or résumé, no longer than two pages.
School of Music Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission criteria, the School of Music requires the following for admission to graduate study:
- Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory majors (masters and doctoral) are required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
- Performance majors (M.M. and D.M.A.) and Pedagogy majors (M.A.) must present an audition before the appropriate performance faculty. Please see the bottom of this page for information on audition dates and how to schedule an audition.
- Composition majors (M.M. and D.M.A.) must submit examples (scores and/or tapes) of their compositions.
- Conducting majors (M.M. and D.M.A.) must submit a résumé, repertoire list, and an audition tape. They must also schedule with the advising professor a personal interview, a conducting interview, and a keyboard proficiency test. Students may matriculate in the graduate conducting programs only during autumn quarter. Applicants to graduate programs in conducting may arrange an audition by contacting Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt at (614) 292-9926 or by e-amil.
- Musicology majors (M.A. and Ph.D.) must submit papers demonstrating their writing skills, and are encouraged to appear for an interview with the Musicology faculty. Please contact Dr. Lois Rosow to schedule an interview.
- Music Theory majors (M.A. and Ph.D.) must submit examples of theory or analysis papers.
- Music Education majors (M.A.) are required to submit a videotape demonstrating musicianship on their principal instrument or voice (not conducting). Repertoire is the choice of the applicant and may be accompanied or unaccompanied. The videotape must have been produced within the past five years, and must be labeled with date and a list of its contents. In addition to the autobiographical statement, please submit a professional résumé.
- Music Education majors (Ph.D.) must show evidence of successful teaching experience, submit papers demonstrating their writing skills, and appear for an interview with the Music Education faculty. Please call the Music Education Area at (614) 292-7940 to schedule an interview.
Audition Information
Download detailed audition requirements below:
Brass Pedagogy - Master of Arts (M.A.)
Brass Performance - Master of Music (M.M.)
Brass Performance - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Conducting - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Choral - Master of Music (M.M.)
Instrumental Conducting - Master of Music (M.M.)
Percussion Pedagogy - Master of Arts (M.A.)
Percussion Performance - Master of Music (M.M.)
Percussion Performance - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Piano Pedagogy - Master of Arts (M.A.)
Piano Performance - Master of Music (M.M.)
Piano Performance - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
String Pedagogy - Master of Arts (M.A.)
String Performance - Master of Music (M.M.)
String Performance - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Vocal Performance - Master of Music (M.M.)
Vocal Pedagogy - Master of Arts (M.A.)
Vocal Performance - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Woodwind Pedagogy - Master of Arts (M.A.)
Woodwind Performance - Master of Music (M.M.)
Woodwind Performance - Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Diagnostic Examinations in Music History and Music Theory
All graduate students are required to take diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory at the beginning of their program. These tests assess undergraduate knowledge of music history and theory. They are administered during the week before autumn quarter classes, and early in winter, spring, and summer quarters.
