A conductor stands wit hands raised before a chorus and orchestra made up of students

Classical Music

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Music Scholarships

Music is a diverse, exhilarating field. So put yourself in Nashville — Music City — and get a head start on your musical career. No matter what you want to do with music, our outstanding faculty will be available to support you every step of the way. The size of our program guarantees access to guest artists and excellent resources. We'll connect you to internships and help you network. Scholars, musicians, and entrepreneurs who have a heart for mentoring lead our small classes and ensembles — they’re ready to help you develop your unique gifts and abilities into a career where you can work and serve.

Pursue your passion for music with our Bachelor of Arts degree. We've designed it to be flexible so you can grow in music, however you prefer. You'll get private lessons in your primary performance area and have the option for lessons in another area as well. Our students have freedom when senior recital comes around: standard format or unexpectedly creative.

Prepare yourself to teach others about your passion for music. Our Bachelor of Music in Music Education leads to K-12 licensure in Tennessee — which is transferable to other states. So let us prepare you to teach in vocal/general or instrumental music. Guided by experienced teaching faculty in the College of Education, you'll learn how to plan and install classroom lessons and gain experience working and observing in public schools. You'll practice teaching and rehearsing performance ensembles, too.

Our Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is especially for students who plan to work full-time as a professional performing musician. Our professional faculty will mentor you and work with you in private studio lessons. You'll gain experience as you perform as a soloist and prepare junior and senior recitals. You'll grow during auditions, competitions and workshops. Once you've earned your degree, you'll be ready to open your own teaching studio, start your performance career or move on to graduate study.

Learn to write and compose music in diverse styles for performance with our Bachelor of Music in Composition. You'll get one-on-one private lessons from a faculty mentor. You'll get to prepare your junior and senior recitals and even submit your compositions for competitions or workshops. When you graduate, you'll be ready to start your career as a full-time, professional composer, or move on to graduate study.

If you want to be a health care professional but have dedicated yourself to music, the Bachelor of Science degree in Music is perfect for you. We've designed curriculum that pairs math and science classes with music. You'll have the opportunity to work with science faculty in research projects as you continue in your dedication to music. You'll be well-prepared for the MCAT exam at the end of your junior year.

We offer many ensembles and other opportunities within the School of Music.

Learn More

Program Foundations

We've made sure a mentor-based approach to the teacher-student relationship drives every academic decision:

Our BA curriculum allows a student to major in one music area and to get significant experience in another music field. You’ll be able to work with extra ensembles beyond those required. And you’ll be given the option to take lessons in a second performance medium and take classes in a related music area. The senior recital allows a student the option to create a recital different from the standard.

The BM will prepare you for the rigorous life of a performing musician. You’ll become a scholar in your performance medium. With private lessons, your performance skills and techniques will develop. The junior recital gives you the opportunity to plan, learn and perform a 25-minute program. The senior recital upgrades that opportunity to 50 minutes.

There's a wide variety of learning experiences as you study to become a music educator. We'll teach you to become a scholar as you earn your music education degree. Our ensemble experiences paired with private lessons will teach you to be an outstanding performing musician. And our education classes will prepare you to plan, construct and implement lessons and experiences for your own students.

As a composition major, you'll have access to diverse classes and experiences. Piano literature, solo vocal literature or instrumental chamber literature will be among those classes. You'll gain familiarity with different music styles as you learn choral or instrumental conducting. And you'll also study church music in order to understand that composition style better.

A BS in classical music will give you the option of equally focusing on your music and science classes. Completing about 50 hours of music classes and 50 hours of science/math classes will lead up to graduation. You’ll work closely with faculty in both the arts and sciences to prepare for professions in the health care field.

Concentrations

Capstone Projects

Program Features

All-Steinway school
Fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music
Large access, small program, mentor-based program/approach to teaching
Students can craft a degree program according to their wants and needs
Study abroad always an option
The School of Music’s largest classroom has 22 chairs.
Teaching students can attend regional and national conventions of their professional organizations with faculty mentors.
B.S. students have the opportunity to work with science faculty in research projects.

Admissions Requirements

As a student choosing to pursue either a major or minor in classical music or a worship ministry major at Lipscomb University, you will be required to complete a performance audition and a music theory placement exam. A music scholarship audition may meet this audition requirement, or you may play or sing for the music faculty prior to the end of your first semester.

The theory placement exam is given during the summer when you come for your ADVANCE session. The theory faculty use the exam to determine which beginning theory class (Fundamentals of Music or Music Theory I) will provide the most appropriate placement.

Courses

Music, B.A.

Total hours required: 46

Specific courses required:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3020 - Upper Division Hearing
MU 3403 - History of Church Music
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 4001 - Senior Recital
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4612 - Conducting

Twelve additional hours to be chosen from:

additional ensembles (beyond the 8 required; maximum 8 credit hours)
private lessons on secondary instrument (maximum 4 credit hours)
any regular CMU courses
any regular MU courses except:
- MU 1103 - Fundamentals of Music
- MU 1641 - Class Piano I
- MU 1651 - Class Piano II
- MU 1741 - Class Guitar I

All course prerequisites apply to electives.

Additional Requirements:

8 semester hours of (50-minute) private lessons in one performance area, for credit; minimum 4 hours at 3000 level.

Participation and passing grade in a major ensemble for eight semesters.

MU 1000 - A Cappella Singers

MU 1050 - Wind Ensemble

MU 1080 - Orchestra

MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
- Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Music, B.S.

Total hours required: 49-51

Specific courses required for Music:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3020 - Upper Division Hearing
MU 3403 - History of Church Music
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 4001 - Senior Recital
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4612 - Conducting

15-17 additional hours to be chosen from:

any additional MU or CMU private lessons or ensembles (beyond those required, 10 hours maximum)
any regular CMU courses
any regular MU courses except:
- MU 1103 - Fundamentals of Music
- MU 1641 - Class Piano I
- MU 1651 - Class Piano II
- MU 1741 - Class Guitar I

All course prerequisites apply to electives.

Additional Requirements:

8 semester hours (50-minute) private lessons on major instrument for credit; minimum 4 hours at 3000 level.

Participation and a passing grade in a major ensemble for 8 semesters.

MU 1000 - A Cappella Singers

MU 1050 - Wind Ensemble

MU 1080 - Orchestra
MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
- Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Specific courses required for Science:

BY 1134 - Principles of Biology: Cell and Genetics
BY 1144 - Principles of Biology: Diversity and Ecology
BY 2114 - Cell Biology
BY 3514 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BY 3524 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
CM 1113 - General Chemistry I
CM 1123 - General Chemistry II
CM 1211 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
CM 1221 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
CM 2113 - Organic Chemistry I
CM 2123 - Organic Chemistry II
CM 2211 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CM 2221 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CM 3313 - Biochemistry
MA 1113 - College Algebra and MA 1123 - Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry

MA 1314 - Calculus I and MA 2314 - Calculus II
PH 1214 - Elementary College Physics I and PH 1224 - Elementary College Physics II

PH 2414 - General Physics I and PH 2424 - General Physics II

Note:

The Bachelor of Science degree in music is paired with math/science courses that prepare students for a professional program in the sciences. The degree includes courses in mathematics and science and prepares students for the MCAT exam at the end of the junior year.

Music, B.M., Piano Performance

Total hours required: 79

Specific courses required:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 1202 - Issues for Performers
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2143 - Theory IV
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3011 - Junior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 3112 - Form and Analysis
WA 2303 - The Complete Worship Leader
MU 3403 - History of Church Music
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 4002 - Pedagogy Practicum
MU 4012 - Senior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 4103 - Counterpoint
MU 4113 - Orchestration
MU 4232 - Piano Pedagogy
MU 4423 - Piano Literature
MU 3513 - Solo Vocal Literature or MU 4433 - Instrumental Chamber Literature
MU 4612 - Conducting
MU 4622 - Choral Conducting and Literature or MU 4632 - Instrumental Conducting and Literature

Additional Requirements:

16 semester hours of private lessons in piano; minimum 8 hours at 3000 level.

MU 2211 - Collaborative Piano
- Participation for credit, 8 semesters
MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
- Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Note:

No minor is required.

Music, B.M., Vocal Performance

Total hours required: 76

Specific courses required:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 1202 - Issues for Performers
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2143 - Theory IV
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3011 - Junior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 3112 - Form and Analysis
WA 2303 - The Complete Worship Leader
MU 3403 - History of Church Music
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 3513 - Solo Vocal Literature
MU 4002 - Pedagogy Practicum
MU 4012 - Senior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4103 - Counterpoint
MU 4113 - Orchestration
MU 4202 - Voice Pedagogy
MU 4412 - Diction for Singers I: Latin and Italian
MU 4612 - Conducting
MU 4442 - Diction for Singers II: French and German

Additional Requirements:

16 hours private lessons in voice for credit; minimum 8 hours at 3000 level.
Participation and credit in major vocal ensembles for 8 semesters, including:
- MU 1041 - Opera Workshop (2 semesters)
- MU 1001 - A Cappella Singers
- MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
  - Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Note:

No minor is required.

Music, B.M., Instrumental Performance

Total hours required: 78

Specific courses required:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 1202 - Issues for Performers
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2143 - Theory IV
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3011 - Junior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 3020 - Upper Division Hearing
MU 3112 - Form and Analysis
WA 2303 - The Complete Worship Leader
MU 3403 - History of Church Music
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 4002 - Pedagogy Practicum
MU 4012 - Senior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4103 - Counterpoint
MU 4113 - Orchestration
MU 4433 - Instrumental Chamber Literature
MU 4612 - Conducting
MU 4632 - Instrumental Conducting and Literature

Additional Requirements:

16 hours private lessons on major instrument for credit; minimum 8 hours at 3000 level.

4 hours private lessons on secondary instrument for credit.

Participation in a major instrumental ensemble, 8 semesters, for credit:
- MU 1051 - Wind Ensemble or MU 1081 - Orchestra
- MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
  - Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Note:

No minor is required.

Music Teaching, B.M., Instrumental

General education required of secondary and K-12 teacher education students; Leads to K-12 licensure

Specialized professional education:

MU 2843 - Brass and Percussion Methods
MU 2852 - Woodwind Methods
MU 2881 - String Methods
MU 4224 - Instrumental Methods
MU 4243 - Elementary School Music

Subject matter specialization:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2143 - Theory IV
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3020 - Upper Division Hearing
MU 3112 - Form and Analysis
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 4000 - Senior Recital
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4113 - Orchestration
MU 4612 - Conducting
MU 4632 - Instrumental Conducting and Literature

Additional Requirements:

8 semester hours of one instrument for credit; minimum 4 hours at the 3000 level.

10 semester hours for credit in ensembles; 8 hours in a major instrumental ensemble (MU 1051 or MU 1081), 1 hour in choral ensemble, 1 hour in elective ensemble.
- MU 1051 - Wind Ensemble 8 semester hours or MU 1081 - Orchestra 8 semester hours
- MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
  - Enrollment and passing grade for 8 semesters

Music Teaching, B.M., Vocal/General Music

General education required of secondary and K-12 teacher education students; Leads to K-12 licensure

Specialized professional education

MU 4202 - Voice Pedagogy
MU 4213 - Choral Methods
MU 4243 - Elementary School Music
MU 4412 - Diction for Singers I: Latin and Italian or MU 4232 - Piano Pedagogy

Subject matter specialization

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2143 - Theory IV
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3020 - Upper Division Hearing
MU 3112 - Form and Analysis
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 4000 - Senior Recital
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4113 - Orchestration
MU 4612 - Conducting
MU 4622 - Choral Conducting and Literature

Additional Requirements:

8 semester hours of private voice for credit, or 4 hours of private voice and 8 hours of private piano for credit; minimum 4 hours at the 3000 level.

12 semester hours for credit in ensembles; 8 hours in a major choral ensemble (MU 1001 A Cappella Singers); 4 hours in MU 1041 (Opera Workshop) or small vocal ensembles.
- MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
  - Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Note:

Students who enroll in an ensemble for non-credit may not opt to change that to credit status after the published deadlines for making course changes in a given semester.

Music, B.M., Composition

Total hours required: 78

Specific courses required:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 1202 - Issues for Performers
MU 2111 - Aural Skills III
MU 2133 - Theory III
MU 2143 - Theory IV
MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3011 - Junior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 3020 - Upper Division Hearing
MU 3112 - Form and Analysis
WA 2303 - The Complete Worship Leader
MU 3403 - History of Church Music
MU 3413 - History of Music I
MU 3423 - History of Music II
MU 3503 - Digital Audio Synthesis
MU 4012 - Senior Recital, Performance Emphasis
MU 4020 - Piano Proficiency
MU 4103 - Counterpoint
MU 4113 - Orchestration
MU 4423 - Piano Literature
MU 4612 - Conducting
MU 3513 - Solo Vocal Literature or MU 4433 - Instrumental Chamber Literature
MU 4622 - Choral Conducting and Literature or MU 4632 - Instrumental Conducting and Literature

Additional Requirements:

16 hours (50-minute) private lessons in composition for credit; minimum 8 hours at the 3000 level.

8 semester hours in a major ensemble:
- MU 1091 - Chamber Ensemble
- New Music Ensemble, 2 semesters and MU 1000 - A Cappella Singers
  - OR
- MU 1050 - Wind Ensemble
  - OR
- MU 1080 - Orchestra
- MU 2000 - Recital Seminar
  - Enrollment and passing grade, 8 semesters

Note:

No minor is required.

Music Minor

Total hours required: 15

Specific courses required:

MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 2402 - Music Literature

Two credit hours selected from:

MU 1661 - Piano
MU 1611 - Piano
MU 1641 - Class Piano I
MU 1651 - Class Piano II

MU 1761 - Guitar
MU 1711 - Guitar
MU 1741 - Class Guitar I

Seven credit hours selected from:

any MU courses except:
- MU 1103 - Fundamentals of Music
any CMU courses

All course prerequisites apply to electives.

Music Scholarships

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 for which you may be eligible. In addition, instrumentalists may audition for a participation scholarship. All scholarship recipients participate in the appropriate ensemble or, for pianists, the accompanying class.

Learn More

Contact Information

Undergraduate Admissions

615.966.6123 ext. 6123
admissions@lipscomb.edu

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Nashville

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

Our Faculty

Ben Blasko

Director of Instrumental Studies

As a conductor, Benjamen Blasko has been invited to conduct performances and lead master classes across the U.S. He is a founding member of the Agora Brass Ensemble, made up...
Learn More
Jerome Reed

Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Piano

Jerome A. Reed is the Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Piano at Lipscomb University. He has performed extensively in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America, appearing in such...
Learn More
Brown Bannister

Director of the School of Music

Brown Bannister brings nearly four decades of industry experience to his work as Director of the School of Music. Best known as a successful mentor and producer for top Christian...
Learn More
Randy Gill

Assistant Dean of the College of Entertainment and the Arts

Gill has a career in higher education, music and worship ministry that spans more than 40 years. For 13 years, Gill was associate professor of music and associate director of...
Learn More
Donna King

Chair of the Contemporary Music Program

Donna King, assistant professor of music, came to Lipscomb University as a piano instructor in 1987 and began full-time teaching in 1999. She teaches music history and music literature courses,...
Learn More
Sarah Bailey

Learn More
Thomas Harbin

Thomas Harbin serves as an adjunct professor of piano in the commercial and classical departments at Lipscomb. He has been a member of the Belmont piano faculty since 2016 and...
Learn More
Bill Delvaux

Bill Delvaux is the Director of Landmark Journey Ministries, organized in 2012. He brings a rich background of 30+ years of pastoral ministry and classroom experience into his teaching, writing,...
Learn More
Steve Taylor

Assistant Professor of Film & Creative Media

Filmmaker/writer/producer/recording artist Steve Taylor earned his "Renaissance Man" stripes (Prism Magazine) from a body of work that's garnered him multiple Grammy, Billboard, Telly, Addy and Dove awards and nominations. A...
Learn More
Matt Billingslea

As the drummer for Grammy winning international superstar Taylor Swift, Matt Billingslea has traveled with The Red Tour and The 1989 Tour, performing for sold-out crowds in stadiums and arenas...
Learn More

Career Paths

Musicians and Singers

Musicians and singers play instruments or sing for live audiences and in recording studios.

High School Teachers

High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Middle School Teachers

Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult curriculum they will face in high school.

Conductors and Composers

Conductors lead orchestras and other musical groups during performances and recording sessions. Composers write and arrange original music in a variety of musical styles.

Classical Music

Program Overview

Admissions Requirements

Courses

Music Scholarships

Job placement

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Nashville

Our Faculty

Ben Blasko

Jerome Reed

Brown Bannister

Randy Gill

Donna King

Sarah Bailey

Thomas Harbin

Bill Delvaux

Steve Taylor

Matt Billingslea

Career Paths

Musicians and Singers

High School Teachers

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Middle School Teachers

Conductors and Composers

Related Programs