A few composers are able to support themselves by means of grants, commissions, and other awards, or find work in video and film production studios. High School Preparation Students interested in music composition should develop performance skills in preparation for the School of Music entrance audition. Piano lessons and music theory classes are also recommended, if available. School of Music students should apply for acceptance into the Bachelor of Music degree program in composition at the end of the second year or the beginning of the third year of study. The GEC is a body of courses designed to ensure that each student becomes acquainted with the basic areas of academic study.
Some majors also require completion of a foreign language requirement.
A weekly gathering of people interested in composition, the Composers' Workshop features occasional guest composers and presentations on topics of interest to composers and also produces new music concerts. In fact, Ohio State is consistently ranked among the country s best institutions for overall academic reputation. Offering over 170 majors and more than 11,000 courses, Ohio State allows students to tailor their education to their interests through double majors, minors, and personalized study programs. With hundreds of student activities and organizations, the university also offers a diversity of extracurricular experiences to those who want to be involved. Ohio State s cooperative education programs offer students hands-on experience in their chosen fields.