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Prospective Students - Columbus State University

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The Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music

Prospective Students

Welcome to the Schwob School of Music admissions page. We think you will find our music programs offer an extraordinary opportunity for musicians to learn from gifted teachers, and hope you will also find enough information here to clarify our admission process.

The Schwob School of Music is proud to be one of the leading and fastest-growing university-level music programs in the southeast, with a world-class facility and accomplished faculty. The Schwob School has only 250 students and our student-faculty ratio is just 9 to 1. Students enrolled in music, art and theater live in downtown Columbus at the beautiful Riverpark campus - visit the Residence Life webpage for more information on our dorms and truly unique campus environment.

Since 2001 the Schwob School has been housed in the impressive RiverCenter for the Arts, designed to provide students with everything needed to study, rehearse, and perform music. This beautiful building features a 2,000-seat concert hall, a 400-seat recital hall, a 175-seat black box theater, four acoustically isolated large ensemble rooms, and a plethora of pleasant, acoustically isolated practice rooms.

"Welcome to the Schwob School of Music!"
"Welcome to Columbus State University!
"You're gonna love it here!"

Scott HarrisIf you're a prospective student or you're beginning your studies at the Schwob School of Music this year you will hear these words a lot. As the new director of this extraordinary school I've heard them often enough that they have become a sweet musical refrain. People are excited by what they hear and see on the beautiful RiverPark campus.

Many of you are already in-the-know about what makes CSU such a great place to study music. This year we have students from 18 states and 20 countries working with a distinguished faculty and a host of guest artists from around the world. They come to our school because we provide a student-centered, nurturing environment with very high standards, a place where dedicated musicians thrive and grow.

In the column to the right, you'll find a selection of live recordings of CSU faculty, students, and ensembles that represents a small slice of the more than 250 concerts we present each year. Most of these performances took place in Legacy Hall, a concert venue renowned for its superb acoustics. We expect to add more performances from the 2019/20 concert season as they become available—check back often.

The Woodruff Scholars program is a unique opportunity for accomplished students, chosen through audition, to enter the Schwob School of Music on full scholarship, with all academic and living expenses covered and with a stipend for professional development. It is one component of a great history of support from individuals and families who have made an investment in our students and programs. I look forward to meeting our many patrons and thanking them for this legacy of giving, which is an essential part of our work to build for the future.

I hope to see you soon at a Schwob School of Music concert. In the meantime, thank you for exploring our web resources. And if you'd like to know more about our people, programs, and prospects for the future, feel free to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Scott Harris
Director
Schwob School of Music
(706) 507-8419
harris_scott@columbusstate.edu

Please explore what we have to offer by scheduling a tour today!

In addition to applying to the Schwob School, you must apply directly to Columbus State University. For information on admission to CSU, visit the Admissions page

How to Apply

Undergraduate Students

  1. Apply to Columbus State University
  2. Reserve a music audition

Transfer Students

Please follow the steps above to schedule your audition and apply to the university.  Note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit. If you are on a music scholarship at your current institution, you must return a completed Scholarship Release Form (PDF) to the Schwob School of Music before you can be considered for any merit-based scholarship.

Graduate Students

Master of Music in Performance

The Master of Music in Performance degree is designed for an exceptional performer with an undergraduate degree in music. This two-year (four semester) degree requires a total of 36 hours of coursework in the areas of applied study, music theory and history, and large and small ensembles.

Admissions Procedures

  1. Complete CSU Graduate School online application
  2. Complete the Schwob School of Music application (Must have a minimum 2.75 Undergraduate GPA and conferred degree in Music to apply.)
  3. Schedule an audition and review the audition requirements by visiting our Audition Information Page. In addition, please email the appropriate applied teacher directly, so they are aware of your interest in their studio. They will be able to answer questions about the audition process and any available graduate positions.
  4. Download the study guide (PDF) for the music history/music theory/ear training competency exams, which you will take during the week before classes begin. These exams will determine whether or not you will need remedial coursework. These exams are required for all students beginning the Master of Music in Performance degree.

Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required for admission into the Master of Music in Performance degree.

Master of Music in Music Education

The Master of Music in Music Education degree is not accepting applications at this time.

Master of Music in Choral Conducting

Vocal Arts Area

Artist Diploma

Admissions Procedures

  1. Complete the Columbus State University Graduate School Online Application
  2. Complete this Schwob School of Music Artist Diploma Online Application.
  3. Schedule an audition and review the audition requirements by visiting our Audition Information Page. In addition, please email the appropriate applied teacher directly, so they are aware of your interest in their studio. They will be able to answer questions about the audition process and any available graduate positions.
  4. Completion of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in music is required for this post-baccalaureate certificate.

Timeline

Fullest consideration for financial assistance will be given to applicants who have completed the steps above, have been accepted to the Graduate School at Columbus State University, and have successfully completed an audition by March 1. Applicants may finish the process later than March 1, but may not receive full consideration due to limitations on assistantships and/or graduate student positions in a given area.

Ask Cody

Ask Cody