Program Overview
The Nashville music scene is thriving, with people coming from all over the world to make music in a thousand different ways. So learn from those who know the music business best. Let us prepare you to be an industry professional. We'll teach you more than industry skill. Our mentor-based approach to the teacher-student relationship drives every academic decision we make. We will give you the tools you need to adapt to a changing industry.
You'll have small-class access to excellent resources and top-notch faculty. Scholars, musicians and entrepreneurs with hearts for mentoring guide our seminar-style classes and ensembles. Take up the opportunity for extended time with Music City professionals as you learn about the ins and outs of contemporary music. We can develop your unique gifts in performance, songwriting, production or business into a career where you can serve and work successfully.
We also offer many ensembles and special opportunities to take part in.
Admission Requirements
These requirements also fulfill the requirements for the Commercial Music scholarship audition.
All School of Music applicants will take the Theory Placement Exam and the Music Technology Placement Exam at Advance during the summer prior to enrolling in the Fall.
If you have vocal and/or instrumental skill and wish to pursue the Bachelor of Music songwriting or production track you should:
- Perform two popular music pieces. Songwriters are encouraged to include original material.
- Demonstrate melodic and chordal sight-reading abilities, if applicable.
- Provide any chord charts, lyric sheets, audio and video links of performances, productions and/or songwriting examples.
If you currently have limited (or no) traditional vocal and/or instrumental skill, and yet wish to pursue the Bachelor of Music songwriting or production track, you should:
- Demonstrate skill in one or more digital audio workstations (DAWs) (e.g. Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton, etc.) and/or songwriting skill via links to productions and songwriting examples. You may also show proof of these skills in person. Please contact the school of music in advance with your request.
- Demonstrate chordal sight-reading abilities, if applicable.
If you have musical training in classical or jazz (vocal or instrumental), you should:
- Vocal - prepare to sing two songs related to the classical or jazz genre (or mixed), and be prepared to sight-sing.
- Keyboard - prepare two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist or Contemporary, and be prepared to sight-read.
- Winds - prepare two pieces of contrasting style to be selected from etudes or solos, or extended sections of a solo, and be prepared to sight-read.
- Percussion - prepare two pieces, one on drum set, and another on mallets or timpani, and be prepared to sight-read on snare drum.
Please direct questions to Academic Chair Professor Donna King You may also contact the School of Music office at music@lipscomb.edu or 615-966-5929 for further information.
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.
Our Faculty
Career Paths
Musicians and Singers
Musicians and singers play instruments or sing for live audiences and in recording studios.
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
Composers and Conductors
Conductors lead orchestras and other musical groups during performances and recording sessions. Composers write and arrange original music in a variety of musical styles.
