<p>Thanks for your kind words, but by no means consider me anywhere close to being an expert. I’d settle for being considered a moderately informed layman. Much of the information I provide is already here; whatever skill I possess is knowing what’s available as knowledge and background, both here and elsewhere. It’s a composite of collective wisdom. At best, I might be an effective editor, or the librarian.</p>
<p>Two years of theory and ear training is typically the minimum requirement of a BM, although some specific disciplines may require more. You may wish to do more, in specific areas of interest, as a number of students do even if they’ve met their degree requirements. Counterpoint and an intro level or two of composition would most likely be very useful.</p>
<p>Don’t make yourself too crazy about the level of comparison in equating these courses with conservatory level equivalents. Some of the links I gave you discuss some theory program overviews. Ohio State is a solid program, and you should get a strong foundation, particularly if you can access the courses for music majors (or minors), rather than theory geared to a very basic intro course(s) for non-majors. Without knowing the institutional policies for access, and actual course descriptions, there may or may not be a difference. Take a look, and see what’s available.</p>
<p>Music history can be done as a self study. My son had read two or three of the standard college level texts before finishing high school on his own, but he’s the type that reads full orchestral scores just for fun. A History of Western Music - 7th Edition! (Burkholder/Grout et al) is a pretty standard college text, some might call it definitive.</p>
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<p>If you have a serious interest in music, and plans of incorporating it as a career path, I could see no reason how it could not be beneficial, regardless of whether or not you enter a formal training program down the road. It appears it will cost you time and books. As I said earlier, seems like a no-brainer.</p>