Mar 29, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

Piano Major (B.Mus.)


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Major code BM5100

College of Fine Arts  
School of Music   
Glidden Hall 440
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4244
music@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/music

Chris Fisher, contact person
fisherc@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance is rooted in applied music study and offers a wide array of performance opportunities and stimulating coursework. The degree program promotes high performance and academic standards and is designed for students demonstrating exceptional potential, technical aptitude, and an ability to interpret advanced repertoire. Students entering this degree track should be ready to commit to the rigorous preparation necessary to fully develop their artistic talents and abilities.

This degree track allows students to gain experience with both solo repertoire and ensemble playing, and includes the study of piano literature, piano pedagogy, and accompanying.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

All undergraduates, whether prospective freshmen or transfer students, are required to audition for admission to the degree programs offered by the School of Music. In general, students may not pursue coursework in the major until they have successfully auditioned and been admitted to a music degree program.

Students auditioning for the BM in Piano Performance are required to perform one composition from each of the following categories:  

  • Baroque: A prelude and fugue or other major work by J.S. Bach  
  • Classical: The first movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or composer of similar difficulty (excluding Mozart Sonata, K. 545, Beethoven Sonatas, Op. 49, Nos. 1 and 2, and Op. 79)  
  • One contrasting selection from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century 

Students will also be assigned a quick-study piece roughly one week prior to the audition. All repertoire must be performed from memory, with the exception of this quick-study piece and any contemporary works of particular complexity. 

Change of Program Policy

Students currently attending Ohio University who wish to declare a major in music are required to audition for admission to the School of Music before they may declare the major.

External Transfer Admission

All undergraduates, whether prospective freshmen or transfer students, are required to audition for admission to the degree programs offered by the School of Music. In general, students may not pursue coursework in the major until they have successfully auditioned and been admitted to a music degree program.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

The program is a preprofessional course of study that prepares students to pursue advanced graduate degree programs in performance, to engage in professional performance activities, or to establish private teaching studios. The discipline and critical insights gained from pursuing a professional degree in music can also have implications for other career options. 

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements


Ohio University requires completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for conferral of a bachelor’s degree. However, the Bachelor of Music degree with major in piano requires a minimum of 123 hours. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – Universitywide  page.

Aural Skills, Music Theory, and Music History and Literature


Complete the following courses during freshman and sophomore years:

Music Theory


Complete the following courses:

Music History and Literature


Complete the following course:

Music History and Literature


Complete the following courses:

Ensemble


Complete 8 semesters of large ensemble for 1 hour each semester. Music majors must perform in a large ensemble every semester in residence. See School of Music Undergraduate Handbook for ensembles appropriate to the principal instrument and major.

Performance Lab


Complete 6 semesters of the following course:

Applied Piano


Complete 8 semesters of the following course for 4 hours each semester:

Keyboard Proficiency


Students are required to pass the Keyboard Skills Proficiency (KSP) exam.

Music Theory or Music History and Literature Electives


Complete two courses from the following:

Conducting and Chamber Music Literature


Complete the following courses:

Accompanying


Complete 2 semesters of the following course:

Keyboard Repertoire


Complete the following courses:

Piano Pedagogy


Complete the following courses:

Recital


Both of the following courses are required for the completion of the program. 

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