School of Music

Return to: College of Entertainment and the Arts

Lipscomb University’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 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.

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. Many ensembles are open to 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

• 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., B.S.
• Music, Commercial, 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, Instrumental Performance, B.M.
• Music, Piano Performance, B.M.
• Music, Vocal Performance, B.M.

• Music, B.S.

• Music (General) Minor
• Music Industry Studies, Minor
• Music Minor (Commercial)
• Worship Arts Minor

Return to: College of Entertainment and the Arts