Area Coordinators
Katherine Borst Jones, woodwinds
Bruce Henniss, brass
Juliet White-Smith, strings
Susan Powell, percussion
At Ohio State, students majoring in a brass, woodwind, percussion or string instrument are guided through a rigorous course of study in technique, performance practice, pedagogy and repertoire development by our artist faculty. Performance majors may earn the BA, BM, MM and DMA degrees, preparing them for employment in orchestras, chamber groups and commercial music. Education majors may earn the BME, MME or PhD to prepare them for performance as well as teaching in the schools, private teaching and teaching in higher education.
In addition to the required curricular studies, there are a number of elective courses available, such as the health-focused Alexander Technique class and a Performance Enhancement course. For reed players, reed-making and reed research is ongoing in a dedicated reed-making facility.
Our full-time faculty members maintain active performance careers. They bring experience from a number of national symphonies and bands, including the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New Sousa Band, to name a few. They are leaders in instrument societies such as the National Flute Association, International Clarinet Society, and the Percussive Arts Society International.
All students perform in the school's large performing Ensembles as well as in the numerous small ensembles of varying combinations, from studio choirs to jazz combos and from early music ensembles to Composer's Workshop. Student chamber music performance is a vital component of study and Ohio State groups have performed in numerous conferences and competitions. For brass players, the renowned Ohio State Marching Band (TBDBITL) also provides musical and leadership opportunities for students seeking this unique challenge.
Students in the individual studios have had the opportunity to participate in national and international conventions such as the Midwest Clinic, International Double Reed Society, International Clarinet Association, International Trumpet Guild, National Flute Association Conventions, among others.
Graduates of the Ohio State School of Music have embarked upon exciting endeavors world-wide. They are teaching in colleges and universities and performing in major ensembles including military bands, chamber ensembles and orchestras. Several have won Fulbright Scholarships and many have taken top prizes in performance competitions. Those who have earned graduate degrees have applied their experiences as graduate teaching associates to the demands of the job world in building successful careers.
Want to learn more?
Future undergraduate and graduate students, explore our degree programs, application and audition details and more, in the navigation menu.
High school students, learn about outreach programs, admissions visit days, request an appointment with our admissions coordinator, and more at Undergraduate Admissions.
Questions?
- Future undergraduate students — contact Tanya Sparks, admissions coordinator, at sparks.348@osu.edu.
- Future graduate students — contact Graduate Studies at mus-grad@osu.edu.