School of Music

Brown Bannister, Director, School of Music
Ben Blasko, Director of Instrumental Studies
Donna M. King, Assistant Professor
Jerome A. Reed, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Piano
Gary Wilson, Professor, Director of Choral Studies

The School of Music is committed to creating a world class collaborative program for a community of highly innovative and adaptive musicians: the program is musically diverse, equipping young artists with a broad range of contemporary skills, allowing them to build a sustainable career while serving and loving the world with their gifts.

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 Lipscomb University 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 small, mentor-based program offers small class sizes, time with Artists-in-Residence, and professional internships and mentorships.

The School of Music offers testing and support through the diploma level for students interested in beginning or continuing certification through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exam system.

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 leading live or studio musicians.

Private lessons are open to all university students. Most ensembles are open to all qualified students through audition or instructor permission.

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

The School of Music partners with the School of Hospitality and Entertainment Management to offer a Music Industry Studies degree that approaches the industry as Nashville does: as part of a comprehensive entertainment experience. Coursework includes specialized music industry content, business skills, basic music knowledge, and internships and entertainment studies to bring these together in practical, real-world experience.

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

Theory and piano placement exams prior to first registration
Audition or performance/work assessment for admission to program, or first-year assessment
Attendance at concerts and recitals (8 semesters of Recital Seminar)
Jury examinations at the end of each semester of applied lesson instruction
Upper-division hearing at the end of the sophomore year
Junior and senior recitals or projects (per degree program) for all majors
Ensemble participation for all music majors (8 semesters)
Piano or guitar proficiency for all majors (per degree program)
Minimum grade of “C” in all music courses

Program of Study Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Science

Music, B.S.

Non-Degree