School of Music

Wendy K. Matthews, Professor and Director
Susan Shirel, Associate Professor, Assistant Director of Academics, and Director of Vocal Studies
Brown Bannister, Artist-in-Residence
Don Chaffer, Lecturer, Artist-in-Residence, and Program Coordinator for Songwriting
Ronda DePriest, Professor of Music, Director of Athletic Band, and Program Coordinator for Instrumental Music Education
Randy Gill, Professor, Program Coordinator for Worship Arts
Donna King, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Advising and Musicianship Cores, University Carillonist
Jerome A. Reed, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Piano, Program Coordinator for Performance
John J. Thompson, Lecturer/Visiting Professor, Program Coordinator for Music Industry Studies

The School of Music cultivates artistic excellence and professional readiness in a Christ-centered liberal arts environment, awarding Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science degrees. As a cornerstone of the George Shinn College of Entertaiment & the Arts, where rich musical tradition meets cutting-edge innovation, the next generation of artists, producers and creators shape the sound of tomorrow within our classrooms and studios. Because we are one School of Music, we are intentional about bringing down walls and barriers and doing our best work in collaboration with each other. We can prepare you to succeed as a producer, singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, session musician, recording artist, conductor, composer or teacher - and help you discover how to faithfully impact your community. 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 commercial 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.

Lipscomb University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, offering programs across many genres.

Distinctives of the School of Music

The School of Music’s mentor-based program offers small class sizes, instruction with nationally renowned scholars and performers, Artists-in-Residence, 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, involved in live or studio performance.

Private lessons are open to all university students as space allows. Ensembles are open to qualified students through audition or instructor permission.

The B.A. 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 psychology, english, biology, environmental science). Customized capstone projects are based on student interests and range from traditional recitals to research projects and senior project such as commercial EPs. Rooted in strong musicianship, the program offers flexible degree pathways to shape diverse professional futures.

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 foundation of music through the musicianship core 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, Business of Songwriting, Production, and Music Entrepreneurship. Each production major in this program will complete an internship 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 professional careers as singer/songwriters. Students engage in a range of courses to develop diverse skills, including Business of Songwriting & Production; Identity & Artistry; core musicianship courses, private lessons on a primary instrument or voice, and performance in commercial ensembles. Each major in this program also completes an internship and a final project featuring their individual work.

The Music Education Degree (Instrumental, Vocal/General)

The B.M. in Music Education is designed to equip students for today’s K-12 classroom, combining modern evidence-based curriculum with hands-on learning opportunities. Beginning in the sophomore year, students participate in field experiences with increasing teaching responsibilities that prepare them for the final semester of student teaching. In addition to their education classes and performance ensembles, students will take courses in our musicianship core, 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.

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 partnered to offer a curriculum that equips students to design and lead meaningful worship experiences. 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 B.A. in Music Industry Studies examines the structures, practices, and legal frameworks of the contemporary music industry, providing an in-depth exploration of its most important aspects from a uniquely musical perspective that includes aspects of performing. Coursework covers music publishing; record-label operations; contracts and negotiation; music licensing; artist development; live music and venue management; and industry marketing. Learning experiences include experiential, internships, and practicums. The curriculum serves students pursuing professional roles in the industry as well as independent artists and songwriters managing 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:

Composer/Arranger
Graduate studies
Independent music teacher
Music consultant
Music critic
Music editor
Music librarian
Music producer
Music publisher
Orchestral musician
Professional singer/Songwriter
Studio musician
Teacher in public or private school settings, K-12
Tour manager
Worship minister
Strong liberal arts foundation for professional study in music therapy, 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 of classes
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

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Science

Music, B.S.

Non-Degree