Music theory encompasses a variety of activities which all focus on understanding music.
It includes such diverse fields as music analysis, the development of new theories of music and musical structure, history of theory, music perception and cognition, aesthetics of music, music theory pedagogy, and computer-assisted music instruction. Most music theorists continue their studies in graduate school and earn a doctoral degree before becoming a college teacher or university professor. Recent Ohio State music theory majors have gone on to graduate school at Indiana University, the University of Ottawa, The University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music, and The State University of New York at Stony Brook, as well as at The Ohio State University. High School Preparation Students interested in music theory should develop performance skills in preparation for the School of Music entrance audition. Piano lessons and music theory classes are also recommended, if available.