By Susan Gager

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Thirty years ago, music students at Oregon State University could pay for college tuition with 200 hours of work on campus. Today, it would take nearly 800 hours.

While some music programs are studying to stay afloat, the Oregon State University program is pumping theirs up by attracting rising stars.

"Well I definitely want to do something in music. That's not a question. I've got to do something in music to just live at all," said OSU vocalist Ian Scott.

Scott came to Oregon State to polish his vocal talent. The sophomore auditioned at other schools but says it was the scholarship OSU offered him that made the biggest difference. The money that makes those scholarships available though is becoming harder to come by.

"We have seen a drop in scholarship availability and some of that is because the scholarship funds are tied to the stock market," said OSU Chamber Choir Conductor Steven Zielke.

Zeilke says the drop also comes at a time when many music programs are finding themselves on the chopping block. To that end, the school has launched an aggresive fundraising effort called the Orange and Black Vocal Scholarship Program.

"If we're not able to make a scholarship offer which is competitive with other schools, we often lose those students, even if they're interested in becoming a Beaver," he said.

The theory behind the push is without top level talent, the music department loses relevance because simply bringing in kids without financial support is setting them up for failure.

"We have students here that put in 20 hours a week, 30 hours a week, try to carry a full load, try to become outstanding musicians, and you're talking about mission impossible," said OSU Music Department Chair Marlan Carlson.

Oregon State University hopes to complete their fundraising over the next couple of months.