The most successful musicians are not necessarily those with the most native talent. Instead, the most successful musicians are the ones willing to invest the hours of practice. Growing as a musician requires discipline, patience and passion. If that sounds like you, then consider majoring in Music at Lipscomb University.
Lipscomb's Music Department is nationally recognized, and it's located in the heart of Music City USA. Here, you can expand your musical horizons, develop your abilities and grow as a musician and a person. Even better, you can learn in a faith-based Christian environment, where music is just another way that we bring praise and glory to God.
Why Study Music at Lipscomb?
Lipscomb University's Department of Music offers some of the most popular majors on campus, due in large part to the quality and versatility of our faculty. Six of our seven full-time faculty hold the terminal degree in their fields, and each hails from a different institution. They bring a wide range of experience and expertise with them. They are masters of many different instruments and musical styles.
Many of our private instructors are professional musicians in the Nashville community. Some are members of the Nashville Symphony, and others are studio musicians in Nashville's thriving recording industry.
Our faculty are dedicated musicians, but they are supportive and accessible, too. Small classes and a nurturing Christian environment enable close personal relationships between students and faculty.
Lipscomb University's Department of Music is the first in the nation to require music majors to sit for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. The department is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
The Music Department's popularity is also partly due to our prime location in Nashville. Students can attend concerts every night of the week, enjoying many different kinds of musical styles and making friends and connections in the music industry. While the Music Department does not offer music business courses, students can take courses in music business at the Contemporary Music Center at Martha's Vineyard. These courses count as electives.
Scholarships & Departmental Awards
Music scholarships are offered in amounts of up to $3,000 per year. All music majors and minors may audition for scholarships. These awards are based solely on the audition, and are not tied to any other academic scholarships. All scholarship recipients participate in the appropriate ensemble or class.
Several departmental awards are given as well. These are the Freshman Music Award, Sophomore Music Award, Music Teaching Award, Music Performance Award, Music Service Award, MTNA STAR Award and the SAI College Honor Award.
Clubs & Organizations
The Lipscomb University A Cappella Singers are devoted to performing the highest quality of sacred and secular a cappella choral literature. Each year they perform a combined Christmas concert with the Concert Band, a spring concert, several shorter concerts hosted by area congregations and at least one major tour.
The Opera Workshop provides opportunity for Lipscomb University music majors to experience operatic performances: music, dramatization and staging.
The Early Music Consort provides one of Nashville's most unique musical offerings, combining Medieval and Renaissance music with ethnic styles from around the world. It's open to all Lipscomb students by audition.
The University Concert Band is dedicated to performing high-quality literature ranging from old favorites to the avant-garde. The Concert Band schedules two concerts each semester and also performs in combination with the choral groups for special events.
The Jazz Band brings "America's classical music" to the Lipscomb University campus in four concerts each year.
The Jazz Vocal Ensemble is a mixed quintet group that covers jazz, blues and popular standards. The Lipscomb jazz groups are open to all interested students.
Sigma Alpha Iota is the national women's music fraternity. All Lipscomb women who enjoy music are encouraged to pledge.
Music Chapel meets Fridays at 10:00 a.m. as one of Lipscomb's "breakout chapels." Open to students from all majors, it is dedicated exclusively to singing and embraces a broad spectrum of classical, gospel and contemporary hymns.
Internships in Music
Students can gain internship experience during Lipscomb in London, a summer study-abroad experience. They can also apply for the Contemporary Music Center at Martha's Vineyard. In addition, music education majors have done internships with the campus school by serving as accompanists.
Careers in Music
The Lipscomb University Department of Music prepares students for careers as choral directors, band directors and general music teachers. The curriculum also offers excellent preparation for graduate studies leading to careers in classical performance, private studio teaching and college-level teaching.
Meet Our Alumni
Ursula Hicks Crosslin -- pursuing a Master's degree in piano pedagogy and musicology at Ohio State, where she is serving as a TA.
Jill Hortman -- has a private piano teaching studio in Colorado Springs. Katie Shaner Eubank -- actively performing in regional symphonies in Florida.
Eun Kwang Lee -- has a company in Escondido CA, writing and producing music for radio ads.
Shana Clark Kirk -- completed Masters of Music in piano pedagogy at University of Denver, has a private studio in Denver, works as a product specialist for Yamaha and served as a president of Denver Music Teachers' Association.
Graduate Study
Students have attended graduate school at Ohio State University, Florida State University, Southern Methodist University, University of Denver, Middle Tennessee State University, Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, University of Oklahoma, New England Conservatory of Music, DePaul University, University of Georgia, University of Ohio and University of Kentucky.
Coursework
Students majoring in Music must choose an emphasis from the following:
Vocal Performance
Instrumental Performance
Theory/Composition
Each track has its own set of required courses.
Please consult your course catalog for specific requirements.
"In the past fifteen years, all of our music majors that have wanted to go to graduate schools have been accepted by desirable universities. Most of our graduates receive several job opportunities from which to choose. Every year we have more calls for our students to fill teaching positions. Lipscomb is an excellent school for the music student to attend, because in addition to the Department of Music's own award-winning Artist series and Faculty and Friends Series, there are numerous concerts to attend in the area, including those presented by the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Opera and Nashville Ballet."
Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
About Lipscomb
