Join Our Studio
The OSU Trombone Studio is part of the Greenwood School of Music (GSM). If you are a trombonist interested in becoming a music major or if you want to know about playing opportunities as a non-music major, please start by contacting professor Paul Compton. He can answer all your questions about our program and how to apply. There are many exciting things happening at OSU and we hope that you will strongly consider applying.
Undergraduate Students
If you are interested in becoming an undergraduate music major, we presently offer four degree options. Our Instrumental Music Education degree is the best path to becoming a public school music educator. Completing our Music Education program certifies you to teach all levels of public school music. We have a number of former students teaching in Oklahoma and Texas as well as a number of other states. We also offer a Music Performance degree for students interested in pursuing careers performing in symphony orchestras, military bands, chamber ensembles, and various freelance playing. This degree is also a great foundation for students interested in eventually becoming college professors. Our Music Industry program is geared to students who have an interest in music technology, publishing, production, and live entertainment. Finally, the Bachelor of Arts in Music is a degree where you can study music but also have a number of hours in a secondary area. This is a great degree for students who love music but are also considering going to law school, medical school or pursuing an MBA. If you have a very strong interest in music and another area, this might be a good degree for you.
Students interested in being part of the Greenwood School of Music must first be accepted by the University. All students interested in becoming a music major must perform an audition. It is not necessary at the time of the audition to know for certain which music degree you want to pursue. Audition materials generally consist of contrasting solos, etudes or orchestral excerpts. Students interested in jazz may also play jazz etudes, transcriptions, and improvisation.
We also have opportunities for students to pursue a minor in music or a minor in jazz. The minor in music is open to anyone that isn’t a music major. Students pursuing this minor take many of the same courses that music majors take in the first three semesters. This includes lessons, ensembles, music theory, and music history. The jazz minor is open to both music majors and non-music majors. Courses include jazz ensembles, jazz lessons, jazz theory, jazz improvisation, and jazz arranging.
Out-of-State students can apply for non-resident tuition waivers through the Greenwood School of Music. The Cowboy Marching Band (CMB) has a number of waivers for music education students and non-music majors. The GSM also has additional waivers for students who chose not to participate in CMB, but participate in other GSM ensembles. In addition to waivers, the GSM has scholarships available. Consideration for scholarships and waivers is based on the student’s entrance audition. The GSM also has a limited number of endowed scholarships for returning students, voted on by the GSM Faculty.
For best consideration, students are encouraged to apply and audition early, but acceptance is rolling and students can apply anytime. Official audition days typically take place in February, but in some cases, auditions can be done by appointment or via Skype.
Graduate Students
If you are interested in becoming a graduate student, we presently offer the Master of Music Degree in applied performance or conducting. If you are interested in being considered for this program please apply to the OSU Graduate College and contact Dr. Andrew Parker, our graduate music coordinator. You must also schedule an audition. To be considered for acceptance as a graduate trombone performance major, you must perform approximately 20 minutes of solo pieces, orchestral excerpts, and etudes.
The Greenwood School of Music has very competitive graduate teaching assistantships which come with a tuition waiver for degree courses and a stipend.
Studio Successes
Students from the trombone studio have had very good results auditioning for MM and DMA programs. Former students have gone on the study at the Manhattan School of Music, Franz Liszt Academy of Music, University of Illinois, CalArts, Southern Methodist University, New England Conservatory, Yale, Indiana University, Northwestern, San Francisco Conservatory, Juilliard, University of North Texas, University of Michigan, University of Miami, University of Iowa, University of Colorado, Boston University, Lynn Conservatory, and Texas Tech University.
Come join us and prepare for an incredible future in music!
