Skip to main content

School of Music

We are ONE School of Music 

A community of musicians where all music matters. 

Why are we one School of Music? 

Because we are One School of Music, we do not find ourselves in silos. We are intentional about bringing down walls and barriers and our best work in collaboration with each other. Our students share the classroom and the stage with classical pianists, worship leaders, and songwriters. Producers and music educators bring their skills to our ensembles and practice rooms. Our musicianship core focuses on learning the ins and outs of commercial music while embracing the knowledge that is to be gained from the classical tradition.

Nashville is our playground. 

Join students coming from around the world to find their place in Music City. You will experience the rich culture that is Nashville: concerts at the Ryman Auditorium and the Schemerhorn Symphony Center, big names headlining at Bridgestone Arena and Nashville’s top songwriters at the Bluebird Cafe, world-class opera and a stellar Broadway series. 

The School of Music is the artistic hub of all things music at Lipscomb University. A cornerstone of the College of Entertainment & the Arts, the school represents the intersection of robust musical tradition and current innovation


Watch Video


2024, April 15th - Gabriel Faure Requiem

Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Chorale

Click here to purchase tickets and find more information!


2024 Lipscomb School of Music Songwriting Contest

Finalists for 2024 are live! Please go to our Lipscomb Songwriting Contest 2024 page for more information on the finalists:


2023-2024 Student Handbook 

You can find the latest version of the student handbook for the School of Music here


 

Students perform in a Christmas concert.

Undergraduate Programs

Earn your music degree in Music City and get the guidance you desire from our professional, well-connected faculty. Your music degree can be centered on contemporary or classical music, education or professional expertise and more.

View Undergraduate Programs
18

Graduate schools accepting Lipscomb students

McMeen Music Center is viewed here on a sunny day.

McMeen Music Center

The primary hub for the School of Music is the McMeen Music Center adjacent to our largest performance space, Collins Alumni Auditorium. This two-level theatre features the iconic Maybelle Carter Memorial Stage (inaugurated in 2010 by Johnny and June Cash’s son, John Carter). Additional performance spaces include Ward Hall, Shamblin Theatre, Flatt Amphitheatre and the Commercial Music House. We use our spacious Buddy and Bernie Arnold Rehearsal Hall for rehearsal, performance and classes. McMeen Music Center includes faculty and administrative offices, classrooms, a piano and digital production lab, a music library, and practice rooms, including two Wenger practice rooms featuring virtual acoustic simulation technology.

View Ensembles
Student works in the Recording Studio of the Commercial Music department.

Commercial House

In keeping with our Nashville-centric approach, we’ve brought a bit of historic Music Row to Lipscomb. Just across campus is a two-story house, the Commercial House that students call the CoHo. There you’ll find a classic Music Row-style production/music publishing house complete with a recording studio, Pro Tools lab, offices, lounge and the requisite platinum records and Grammy Awards. The only difference between Music Row and our space is that we have a classroom. All week long students are visiting the CoHo to learn and create.

View Academic Programs
#1

Nationally ranked secondary education program

10

Active music industry professionals

People

Meet our featured faculty.

  • Jenny Snodgrass headshot

    Jenny Snodgrass

    Academic Director & Professor

    Jennifer Sterling Snodgrass is professor of music theory and academic director in the School of Music where she teaches courses in music theory and aural skills. Before joining the Lipscomb...

    Meet Jenny Snodgrass
  • Brown Bannister

    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
  • Ben Blasko headshot

    Ben Blasko

    Associate Professor

    Dr. Ben Blasko is the Director of Instrumental Studies at Lipscomb University where he oversees the vision for instrumental ensembles & private instruction. Ben holds degrees from the University of...

    Meet Ben Blasko
  • Randy Gill headshot

    Randy Gill

    Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of the College of Entertainment and

    Randy Gill is Assistant Dean of the College of Entertainment and the Arts and Associate Professor of Worship Arts at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Before coming to Lipscomb in...

    Meet Randy Gill
  • Jerry Reed headshot

    Jerome Reed

    Professor

    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, giving recitals and...

    Meet Jerome Reed
  • Steve Taylor

    Steve Taylor

    Assistant Professor

    Steve Taylor is a filmmaker, writer, producer and recording artist who earned his "Renaissance Man" stripes (Prism Magazine) from a body of work that's garnered him multiple Grammy, Billboard, Telly,...

    Meet Steve Taylor
  • Jeff McPherson headshot

    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
  • Christopher Bailey headshot

    Christopher Bailey

    Visiting Professor

    Dr. Christopher Bailey has performed on tour with Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Kristin Chenoweth, Tenore, Disney Theatricals, Music Theatre International, and the Nashville Symphony. His original pop-musical theatre work THE PIER...

    Meet Christopher Bailey

Undergraduate Programs


Whether you're pursuing further graduate study in music, training as a music professional, or teaching music yourself, you'll find the right degree and gain the experience you need with guidance from our music professionals.