The Ohio State University School of Music

Bachelor of Music in Composition — Curriculum

Bachelor of Music in Composition — Curriculum

This degree information is only applicable to students who have enrolled in the Bachelor of Music in Composition program for Autumn 2026 or earlier.

Composition Major Requirements and Sample Schedule

The Ohio State University Composition Studio is a collection of artist/scholars that pursue creativity, curiosity and community through the study of music composition. Our pedagogy centers around developing an understanding and control of the craft of composing by studying and applying both historical and current compositional trends and techniques through extensive listening, discussion, debate and diligent work.

Bachelor of Music in Composition

General Education (GE) Requirements

Every student at Ohio State will take General Education courses. Although these GE courses are meant to provide a broad baseline of learning, oftentimes the courses supplement the student’s major or program. 

University Requirement — Civic Literacy

The State of Ohio requires that all bachelor’s degrees must include a course that covers the major concepts, documents, and movements in American history and government. This course may overlap with a GE FOUNDATIONS requirement.

GE Embedded Literacies 

  • Advanced Writing — MUSIC 3364, Musical Citizenship
  • Data Analysis — MUSIC 3364, Musical Citizenship
  • Technology — MUSIC, European Music Traditions, and MUSIC 3340, Global Music Histories

Major Courses

Major Instrument

Music 2201.xx – Applied Music, Principal (4 credits)1
Music 3403.xx – Applied Music, Principal (4 credits)1

 

1 Two 2-credit registrations required in different semesters

Core Music Theory

Music 2121 – Intensive Theory 1 (5 credits) OR 2221 – Music Theory 1 (3 credits)
Music 2222 – Theory 2 (3 credits)
Music 3421 – Theory 3 (3 credits)
Music 3422 – Theory 4 (3 credits)
 

Core Aural Training

Music 2224 – Aural Training 1 (1 credit)
Music 2225 – Aural Training 2 (1 credit)
Music 3424 – Aural Training 3 (1 credit)
Music 3425 – Aural Training 4 (1 credit)
 

Core Musicology

Music 2244 – African-American Musical Traditions (3 credits)
Music 2249 – European Music Traditions (3 credits)
Music 3340 – Global Music Histories (3 credits)
Music 3364 – Musical Citizenship (3 credits)1
 

1 Can satisfy 3 credits in the citizenship thematic pathway

Advanced Theory and Composition

Music 4524 – Orchestration I (2 credits)
Music 4531 – Elementary Studies in Counterpoint (2 credits)
Music 5625 – Orchestration II (2 credits)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (8 credits)1
Music 5635 – Composition II, lessons (4 credits)2
Music 4679.02 – Composition Senior Project, lessons (4 credits)2
Music 5637.01 – Composition with Electronic Media I (3 credits) OR 5636.01 – Introduction to Electronic Music Synthesis (3 credits) 
Music 5623 – Theory and Analysis: 20th Century (2 credits)
Music 5630 – Composers Seminar (4 credits)2

 

1 Four 2-credit registrations required in different semesters

2 Two 2-credit registrations required in different semesters

Minor Applied

Voice, Brass, Harp, Percussion, String, Woodwind Principals

Music 2261.01 – Keyboard Skills 1 (1 credit)
Music 2262.01 – Keyboard Skills 2 (1 credit)
Music 2263.01 – Keyboard Skills 3 (1 credit)
Music 2264.01 – Keyboard Skills 4 (1 credit)
 

Piano Principals

Music 2200.xx – Applied Secondary (4 credits) OR 226x.xx – Methods (4 credits)1

1 Four 1-credit registrations required. Can be a mix of 2200.xx and 226x.xx

Conducting

Conducting

Music 2261.11 – Basic Conducting Lab-Instrumental OR Music 2261.12 – Basic Conducting Lab-Choral (1 credit)

Ensembles

Music 2203.xx – 2208.xx, 2215.xx, or 3312 (6 credits)1

 

1 Six registrations required in different semesters

Music Electives

Music 4000+ Electives (2 credits)

Sample Four-Year Schedule

Year 1

Autumn Semester

Music 2201.xx – Applied Music, Principal (2 credits)
Music 2221 – Music Theory 1 (3 credits) OR Music 2121 – Intensive Theory 1 (5 credits)
Music 2224 – Aural Training 1 (1 credit)
Music 2261.011 – Keyboard Skills 1 (1 credit)
Ensemble2 (1 credit)
ArtsSci 1100.11 – Arts and Sciences Survey: Music (1 credit)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (2 credits)
Writing and Information Literacy GE (3 credits)
Total: 14–16 credit hours

Spring Semester

Music 2201.xx – Applied Music, Principal (2 credits)
Music 2222 – Theory 2 (3 credits)
Music 2225 – Aural Training 2 (1 credit)
Music 2261.021 – Keyboard Skills 2 (1 credit)
Ensemble2 (1 credit)
Musicology Core3 (3 credits)
Music 2293 – Individual Studies: Composition (2 credits)
GenEd 1201 – GE Launch Seminar (1 credit)
Foundational GE4 (3 credits)
Total: 17 credit hours

 

1 Piano principals take four semesters of Music 2200.xx – Applied Secondary or Music 226x.xx – Methods.
2 Choose one from Music 2203.xx – 2208.xx, Music 2215.xx, or Music 3312. 
3 Choose from Music 2244 – African-American Musical Traditions (AU), 2249 – European Music Traditions (SP), 3340 – Global Music Histories (SP), or 3364 – Musical Citizenship (AU/SP) – 3364 can fulfill 3 credits in GE Citizenship Theme.
4 Choose one course from the GE list to fulfill a foundational GE requirement.