school of music

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世界杯2022预选赛录像回放 ’s school of music educates students in a christian liberal arts community for professional careers. the school is dedicated to preparing students to perform healthily, function with contextual competency, and perform collaboratively with an entrepreneurial mindset fit for the contemporary musical landscape. the school serves to advance musical culture on campus and in the nashville community and to graduate self-reliant musicians.

recognizing that music is an integral part of a liberal arts education, the school of music seeks to provide:

• innovative instruction for students pursuing careers in traditional and non-traditional music fields,
• engaging opportunities for each university student to participate in rich and varied musical experiences,
• enriching events for the university and larger community to experience music through concerts and collaborative workshops, and
• valuable resources for church music ministries.

the 世界杯2022预选赛录像回放 school of music is an accredited institutional member of the national association of schools of music, offering programs in both classical and commercial music.​

distinctives of the school of music

the school of music’s mentor-based program offers small class sizes, instruction with artists-in-residence and nationally renowned scholars and performers, and professional internships.

applied music classes and private lessons are taught by full-time faculty or by private instructors selected from the wealth of talent available in nashville, including members of the nashville symphony orchestra and musicians involved in live or studio performance.

private lessons are open to all university students as space allows. many ensembles are open to qualified students through audition or instructor permission.

the music degree

the b.a. in music is designed for those seeking something outside traditional performance or commercial degrees. the degree includes our standard musicianship core and a flexible elective plan that may include a variety of music courses (such as composition or production) or areas of outside interest (such as film or creative writing). customized capstone projects are based on student interests and range from traditional recitals and film compositions to research projects and commercial eps. while a strong musicianship core is important, the degree emphasis is flexibility.

the commercial music - production degree

the b.m in commercial music (production) is designed to prepare students for a professional career in music production. production majors will learn the language of music through the music theory sequence, as well as specific classes in audio engineering and production, preparing students with the ability to create music on a laptop, in our on-campus studio, as well as our commercial facility, the sound emporium.  in addition, students will broaden their skills with ensemble performances, private lessons on their primary instrument, one-on-one production lessons, and classes such as studio arranging and improvisation; the business of songwriting and production and music entrepreneurship, all taught and mentored by seasoned professionals who are currently active in the industry.  each production major in this program will complete two internships working for leaders in the field within the nashville community as well as a capstone project featuring their individual work.

the commercial music - songwriting degree

the b.m in commercial music (songwriting) is designed to prepare students for a professional career as a singer/songwriter. students engage with a variety of courses to build a variety of skills: songwriting and creativity through classes like lyric writing lab and private one-on-one instruction with active nashville songwriting faculty; business acumen through classes like business of songwriting & production with our active nashville industry professionals; deeper questions of personal development in our small classes and attentive full-time faculty through classes like identity & artistry; and music theory and musicianship from active studio and live musicians through core music classes, private lessons on a primary instrument or voice, and group performance in commercial ensembles. each major in this program also completes two internships and a final project which features their individual work.

the music education degree (instrumental, vocal/general)

the b.m. in music education is designed to equip student educators for today’s k-12 classroom, combining modern evidence based curriculum with hands-on learning opportunities. students gain classroom learning experiences beginning their sophomore year, with increased classroom teaching time during their junior and senior years before beginning their student teaching. in addition to their education classes and performance ensembles, students will take courses in theory, piano, aural skills, music history, conducting, pedagogy, and instrumental and choral methods. music education students receive private lessons throughout the duration of their degree and perform a senior recital. the b.m. in music education leads to k-12 licensure in tennessee, which is transferable to other states. this degree plan may be completed in four years or five (with student teaching fall semester fifth year).

the performance degree

the b.m. degree in performance is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in performance, prepare for graduate study, perform in studio sessions, or who plan to be independent studio teachers. this program offers the flexibility in courses for those interested in classical music to pursue a more traditional track; students interested in commercial performance may take courses in songwriting, production, and entrepreneurship; or students may create their own hybrid degree. there are many elective courses available in pedagogy, theory, entrepreneurship, music history, music literature, production, and songwriting. the academic advisor will mentor students through these choices to help each student achieve their career goals. 

the worship arts degree

the b.a. in worship arts is an interdisciplinary degree designed to prepare students who are interested in careers in worship leadership and related fields. the college of bible and ministry  and the school of music have joined together to develop a course of study designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to craft and lead powerful, authentic times of worship. this preparation includes courses in music, biblical studies, historical and theological aspects of worship as well as related courses in arranging, songwriting and the use of technology in worship. elective hours can be used for additional courses in bible, commercial music, audio or video production or other areas of interest.

the music industry studies degree 

“music industry” is shorthand for the complicated and constantly evolving web of diverse companies and individuals that coexist in an ecosystem that has evolved to manage the intellectual property rights, performances, and ancillary products that flow from the work of songwriters and musical artists. lipscomb’s music industry studies degree offers a broad and deep examination of the most important aspects of the modern music industry from a uniquely musical perspective. students will study music publishing, record label functions, contracts and negotiations, music licensing, artist development, live music and venue management, marketing for the music industry, and more through experiential, mentor-based classes, internships, and practicums that are designed to be relevant both for those seeking to work as industry professionals and independent artists and songwriters seeking to support their own work.

the music/science degree

the b.s. degree in music is paired with math/science courses that prepare students for a professional program in the sciences. the degree prepares students for the mcat exam at the end of the junior year. students may choose music elective hours in commercial music, worship arts, music ensembles, or advanced studies in performance.

career opportunities

the school of music provides formal preparation for the following careers:

• teacher in public or private school settings, k-12
• composer/arranger
• independent music teacher
• studio musician
• music producer
• worship minister
• orchestral musician
• music editor
• music publisher
• music consultant
• music critic
• professional singer/songwriter
• graduate studies
• strong liberal arts foundation for professional study in medicine and law and for anyone planning to use music in their chosen profession or for their personal enjoyment.

school admission and curriculum requirements

• audition or performance/work assessment for admission to program
• theory and piano placement exams prior to first registration
• jury examinations at the end of each semester of applied lesson instruction
• ensemble participation for all music majors
• upper-division hearing to assess major area at the end of the sophomore year
• piano proficiency for all majors (per degree program)
• junior and senior recitals or projects (per degree program) for all majors
• minimum grade of “c” in all music courses

program of study requirements

• music industry studies, b.a.
• music, b.a.
• worship arts, b.a.

• music education (instrumental), b.m.
• music education (vocal/general music), b.m.
• music, commercial (songwriting or production), b.m.
• music, performance, b.m.

• music, b.s.

• music (general) minor
• music industry studies, minor
• worship arts minor

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