Majors and Minors

Music Majors

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• Bachelor of Arts in Music

  This program offers broad, flexible coverage of the music field. It is easily combinable with other majors and minors, making the degree an attractive option for liberal arts students who want to pursue many options during their time at Otterbein. The program may qualify student to apply for graduate study in music.

  Students may choose between the following concentrations:

  • General Studies in Music
  • Jazz Studies
  • Music History and Literature
  • Music Theory and Composition

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre (B.F.A.)

  Interdisciplinary major administered jointly by the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance. See this page on the Theatre site for more information.

• Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)

  In addition to the common core of musicianship and general studies, the musician electing a career in school-based teaching must develop competencies in professional education and in specific areas of musicianship. This program leads to Music Multi-Age licensure and prepares you for teaching instrumental and vocal music in the public and private schools, grades preK-12. Students will select either a choral/general emphasis, or an instrumental/general emphasis. The program also may qualify you to apply for graduate study in music or music education.

• Bachelor of Music in Performance

  Students develop the knowledge, skills, concepts and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the musician. To fulfill various professional responsibilities, the musician must exhibit not only technical competence, but also broad knowledge of music and music literature, the ability to integrate music knowledge and skills, sensitivity to musical styles, and an insight into the role of music in intellectual and cultural life. The program may qualify you for graduate school in music performance, or for studio teaching and performing locally, regionally, or nationally.

  This degree curriculum requires intensive energy, preparation, and dedication to the applied music performance area. You may not double major, but may pursue a minor with departmental approval. You may not enroll for more than 18 hours per quarter.

• Music and Business (B.A.)

  Students in this popular program major in Music and choose one of the following concentrations:

  • Arts Administration
  • Business Administration (Department of Business, Accounting and Economics)
  • Audio Production

  It includes an internship in the senior year, which may be at either a nearby or a distant location, according to the student's interests. The program may qualify you to work professionally in the same field in which you completed you internship (or in another related field), or to pursue graduate study in music and business or in another arts degree track.

• Individualized Major

  Otterbein allows to you design a major that meets your unique interests.

Music Minors

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• Arts Administration

  Arts Administration is an interdisciplinary course of study preparing students for work in arts organizations and creative industries. It merges your passion for the arts with the business needs of arts organizations.  

  Arts administrators work for art and cultural organizations such as orchestras, theatres, galleries, museums, arts festivals, arts centers, arts councils, regional arts boards, dance companies, and community arts organizations.

  Responsibilities of an arts administrator may include:

  • Marketing
  • Managing the budget
  • Supervising staff
  • Writing grant proposals to generate income
  • Advising the Board of Directors or senior management
  • Keeping up to date on local, state and federal public policy
  • Managing the facilities and equipment
  • Fundraising
  • Program development and evaluation
  • Recruit participants
  • Negotiate contracts
  • Create arts education activities

  As a field of study, arts administration therefore combines coursework in the arts and humanities with business, policy, and communication.

• Audio Production

  This program is headed by Eric Van Wagner. Eric also runs a successful audio production company in Columbus. He has recorded hundreds of projects, and has run live sound for local and national acts.

• Music

  You can receive a music minor in conjunction with any other degree offered at Otterbein.