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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


Save the Date for Immersion Day 2025 - October 6th!

Use this link to view the all day event page - final schedule pending


2026 Lipscomb School of Music Songwriting Contest

It is time for blossoming young songwriters to submit a song to our contest!


2024-2025 Student Handbook 


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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.

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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.

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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.

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#1

Nationally ranked secondary education program

10

Active music industry professionals

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Meet our full time faculty.

  • Wendy Matthews headshot

    Wendy Matthews

    Director of the School of Music

    Meet Wendy Matthews
  • Brown Bannister

    Brown Bannister

    Assistant Professor

    Brown Bannister brings nearly four decades of industry experience to his work as the Director Emeritus of the School of Music. Best known as a successful mentor and producer for...

    Meet Brown Bannister
  • Randy Gill headshot

    Randy Gill

    Professor

    Randy Gill is an Associate Professor of Worship Arts at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Before coming to Lipscomb in 2018, Dr Gill spent more than twenty years as a...

    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 on several continents, giving recitals and masterclasses in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China, France,...

    Meet Jerome Reed
  • 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
  • Ronda Depriest headshot

    Ronda DePriest

    Director of Athletic Bands and Instrumental Music Education

    Dr. Ronda E. DePriest is the newest full-time faculty member in the School of Music, a division of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, at Lipscomb University...

    Meet Ronda DePriest
  • Donna King headshot

    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
  • Matt Taylor headshot

    Matt Taylor

    Assistant Professor

    Matt Taylor is the Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Music Education at Lipscomb University, where he directs the ensembles Concert Choir and University Chorale, and teaches coursework in Choral...

    Meet Matt Taylor
  • Susan Shirel headshot

    Susan Shirel

    Director of Vocal Activities, Associate Professor of Voice and Assistant Director of Academics

    Meet Susan Shirel
  • Donald Chaffer headshot

    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
  • John Thompson headshot

    John J. Thompson

    Visiting Professor of Music Industry Studies

    John J. Thompson is a speaker, author, producer, artist, and music enthusiast who currently serves as the Director of Music Industry Studies and as a Professor of Music at Lipscomb...

    Meet John J. Thompson

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.