BM Music – Performance (orchestral instruments) at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Music performance is a degree program focused on the mastery of performance skills. Ohio State offers three tracks within the Bachelor of Music in music performance: orchestral instruments, piano and voice. Guided by faculty with active performance careers, orchestral instrument students (string, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments) pursue rigorous study of technique, performance practice, pedagogy and repertoire development. These students also perform in both the school’s large performing ensembles and in numerous small chamber ensembles. Offered at: Columbus.

Faculty: Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Core courses: - Music Theory - Music Aural Training - Music History - World Music - Large and small ensembles - Keyboard Skills - Conducting Required major courses: - Music Lessons - Advanced theory courses - Junior and senior recitals - Pedagogy

Career pathways

Students in music performance have a variety of career opportunities. Those interested in pursuing a professional career as a performer often continue directly into graduate study upon completion of the undergraduate degree. The same is true of students interested in securing a position as an applied music professor at a college or university.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the Arts and Sciences college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. After applying to the university, students planning to pursue a music major must complete a separate School of Music application and schedule an audition. Transfer students and students already at Ohio State must also complete these steps before entering the program. Find a step-by-step application guide at music.osu.edu/apply.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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