Music Industry Studies

Program Overview
Courses

We approach music business as a vital part of a complex, growing tourism and entertainment industry. Our professionals will teach you the language of music. We’ll prepare you with rigorous academic coursework and on-the-job training opportunities. From your very first semester in the program, you’ll have opportunities to gain real-world experience. And, we’ll guide you in developing your business skills and help you network with industry pros.

Our experiential, mentor-based approach includes a holistic, collaborative training in the arts. You'll learn how Nashville’s music business functions in the context of its boisterous entertainment and hospitality industry, as well. Come and learn the music industry in Music City.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to enter a diverse, rapidly changing market and have the connections you’ll need to launch your career.

Program Foundations

The College of Entertainment and the Arts promotes integrated and collaborative thinking in all degree programs. Placing music industry training in the context of Nashville’s hospitality and entertainment industries is different from the narrower, more traditional approach to music business. Led by our professional faculty in small, mentor-based classes, students experience how the music industry functions in this vibrant marketplace. Rigorous training about the music industry is shared by the School of Music and the School of Hospitality and Entertainment Management.

On completion of the Music Industry Studies program, students will understand how various industry entities function as a part of a larger hospitality and entertainment market, and will be conversant in the essential terminologies of those functions. A variety of on- and off-campus work experiences will ensure that students are prepared to participate in the routine tasks and conversations of industry professions.

Courses

Required Courses

HOSP 1003 - Hospitality and Tourism
HOSP 1013 - Entertainment Business
CMU 1013 - Introduction to the Music Industry
CMU 2013 - Music Entrepreneurship
CMU 2113 - Music Industry Agreements and Contracts
CMU 3103 - Marketing for the Music Industry
CMU 390V - Commercial Music Internship

Choose from the following:

Artist Management Focus
CMU 3113 - Live Concert and Venue Management
CMU 3123 - Artist Management and Development
CMU 3143 - Introduction to Copyright Law

Venue Management Focus

CMU 1102 - Introduction to Audio Technology
CMU 4062 - Tour Management and Promotion
CMU 4113 - Music Publishing

Music Core
MU 1133 - Theory I
MU 1111 - Aural Skills I
CMU 3023 - History of Popular Music

Two semesters private or class study in a single instrument (or voice).

Choose nine elective hours from:

MU 2402 - Music Literature
MU 3403 - History of Church Music (Offered even-numbered years)
MU 1143 - Theory II
MU 1121 - Aural Skills II
CMU 1102 - Introduction to Audio Technology
CMU 1023 - Introduction to Audio Production
WA 1013 - Worship and the Arts
WA 2303 - The Complete Worship Leader

Ensembles (up to four hours)
Additional Private Instruction (up to 2 semesters)
Ensembles (up to 4 hours)
Additional Private Instruction (up to 2 semesters)

Business Core (18)

ENT 2503 - An Introduction to Business
AC 2503 - Financial Accounting
EC 2413 - Principles of Microeconomics
BA 3703 - Business Communication
MG 3503 - Leading and Managing People
LUEG 3xx3 Servant Leadership or other LUEG course in the College of Business will complete the Business Core and fulfill the general education Engagements requirement.

Suggested Electives

Electives may be in any area of interest to the student. The following electives are particularly complementary to areas of focus in Music Industry Studies.

Choose 8-10 hours:

FICM 412V - Career Creativity
LJS 3403 - Conflict Management
CO 3703 - Introduction to Public Relations
CMU 3143 - Introduction to Copyright Law
CMU 4113 - Music Publishing
DS 1123 - Introduction to Data Science
DS 2063 - Modern Computing Applications for Data Science

Contact Information

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.

Study Abroad

See the world — whether it’s Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, England or another country. Career opportunities will open for you as you sharpen your foreign language skills. Gain the international experience and cross-cultural communication skills you’ll need in our global economy.

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.

Our Faculty

Brown Bannister

Assistant Professor and 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...
Meet Brown Bannister
Donna King

Associate Professor

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,...
Meet Donna King
Jeff Mcpherson

Assistant Professor

Jeff McPherson moved to Nashville in 1985 to get famous, but found success in other ways. He was signed as a songwriter to Hot House Music in 1993, provided the...
Meet Jeff Mcpherson
Don Chaffer

Artist in Residence

Artist-in-Residence, Lipscomb University School of Music, College of Entertainment & the Arts. Academic Degrees B.A. Music Academic Department School of Music
Meet Don Chaffer

Career Paths

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.

Music Directors and Composers

Music directors, also called conductors, lead orchestras and other musical groups during performances and recording sessions. Composers write and arrange original music in a variety of musical styles.

Musicians and Singers

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

Music Industry Studies

Program Overview

Program Foundations

Courses

Required Courses

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Study Abroad

Job placement

Our Faculty

Brown Bannister

Donna King

Jeff Mcpherson

Don Chaffer

Career Paths

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes

Music Directors and Composers

Musicians and Singers

Related Programs