News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Middle Tennessee State University


Home Find a College Scholarships Show Calendar Blogs News

School of Music

Visit Web Site Admissions Information Course Catalog Alumni Page

Twitter/XCollege Twitter FacebookCollege Facebook InstagramCollege Instagram

1439 Faulkinberry Dr.
Murfreesboro,Tennessee 37132-0001
615.898.2469
admmail@mtsu.edu

DEGREES OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Music in Composition

Bachelor of Music in Instrument and Music Education

Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance

Bachelor of Music in Music Industry

Bachelor of Music in Vocal/General Education

Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance

Minor in Music

Minor in Music Industry

Minor in American Music Studies

Master of Music in Conducting

Master of Music in Jazz Studies

Master of Music in Composition

Master of Music in Music Education

Master of Music in Musicology

Master of Music in Music Performance


The MTSU School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University serves some 300 undergraduate and 30 graduate music majors drawn from throughout the nation and abroad, studying in 10 Bachelor of Music and 9 Master of Arts degree programs. A total of 3,200 MTSU students take music classes each year; many participate as music minors or in ensembles and various music classes, ranging from the 320-strong Band of Blue football marching band, to small jazz combos and string quartets.

Notable Alumni Include:

Mark Blakeman–President and Chief Operating Officer, Tucson Symphony Rosemary Brumbelow–Clarinet professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Seth Carico–Opera singer, Deutsch Oper Berlin Scott Gerow–Film and TV composer, Battery Lane Music owner Silviu Ciulei–International classical guitar soloist George S. Clinton–Film composer for Austin Powers and Mortal Kombat; Film Scoring Department chair, Berklee College of Music, Boston Jonathan Copeland–Founder and owner, Clarinets by Copeland Sean Donovan–Horn, Knoxville Symphony Marcus Finnie–Drums, touring and recording artist Socrates Garcia–Jazz faculty, University of Northern Colorado Linda Gilbert–Superintendent, Murfreesboro City Schools Holli Harrison–Opera singer, Metropolitan Opera, New York Oliver Henderson–Voice faculty, Central Michigan University Matt Jordan–Concert percussion marketing manager for Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments Steven Malone–Assistant music director and keyboard player for Disney’s Tonyaward winning Newsies and Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway Jackie McIlwain–Clarinet professor, University of Southern Mississippi Ben McIlwain–Trombone professor, University of Southern Mississippi Ryan Middagh–Jazz Studies coordinator, Vanderbilt University Chris Munson–Jazz Faculty, University of Louisiana–Lafayette Matt Palmer–Award-winning guitarist, author Tracy Phillips-Award winning composer for Instrumental Album of the Year for the 45th Annual Dove Awards Susan Ramsey – Tennessee Music Educators Association Hall of Fame 2016 Sarah Schneider–Flute professor, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Lisa Schroeder–Flutist, Los Angeles-based Noteworthy Duo Martin Villanueva–Violinist on Grammynominated recording with Mariachi Los Arrieros del Valle Erik Warren-President and founder of Innovative Percussion, a leading manufacturer of mallets and drumsticks Claire Whitcomb–Viola, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Jim White–Associate professor of jazz (drums), University of Northern Colorado Yifei Zhong–Violin faculty, Hangzhou Normal University, China


Acceptance Rate:

The acceptance rate for the graduate School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is around 73%.


Faculty Info:

Michael Arndt, D.M.A., Mr. Jamey Simmons, M. M., David Loucky, D.M.A., Angela DeBoer , M.M., Chis Combest, D.M.A., Craig Cornish, M.M.E., Denny Hawkins, D.M.A., Reed Thomas, Ph.D., Raphael Bundage, D.M.A., Angela Tipps, M.M., Carol Nies, D.M.A.



Related Articles

Pianist Ellen Jansson To Perform For Palestine at Dublin's St Patrick's Cathedral
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 11, 2025


Pianist and Cork native Ellen Jansson will return to Cork next week, joining both local and international musicians to perform in aid of Palestinian charities.

Learn The Great Songs of Lori McKenna With Janet Feld At Passim School Of Music 
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 20, 2025


Passim's School of Music is celebrating the incredible work of beloved local musician and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Lori McKenna this fall with a new class taught by acclaimed teacher and performer Janet Feld.

UNCSA Receives $10.1 Million Gift To Establish American Roots Music Institute
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 08, 2025


The University of North Carolina School of the Arts has received a lead gift of more than $10.1 million — the largest single gift in UNCSA history. Learn more!

Songs in Doric Scots One-Day Class Hosted at Passim School Of Music
by Stephi Wild - October 07, 2025


 In a special one-day-only Passim School of Music workshop, Songs in Doric Scots, guests will get a hands-on exploration of the traditional songs in the Doric Scots dialect of Northeast Scotland.

Ensemble Connect to Welcome Twelve New Musicians This Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 01, 2025


In its 19th season, Ensemble Connect will welcome 12 new young professional musicians to take part in its celebrated fellowship program over the next two years. Learn more!

Passim School of Music is Teaching the Roots of the Blues with Boston Bluesman Paul Rishell
by Stephi Wild - September 03, 2025


Learn the roots of the blues with Paul Rishell, one of today’s most respected country blues artists and a W.C. Handy Award winner. His workshop, Country Blues Guitar: The Basics and Beyond, offered through the Passim School of Music’s fall classes.

Jupiter String Quartet Welcomes Mélanie Clapiès as New Violinist
by A.A. Cristi - August 26, 2025


The Jupiter String Quartet has announced that violinist Mélanie Clapiès will join the ensemble this fall, succeeding founding member Nelson Lee. Clapiès will perform alongside violinist Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel, and cellist Daniel McDonough.

Magloire's New Chamber Ballet Comes to the Mark Morris Dance Center
by Stephi Wild - August 26, 2025


Miro Magloire's New Chamber Ballet will open its 2025-26 season with a program of premieres: a solo for Rachele Perla and a 50-minute company work to music by Tonia Ko at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn.

Gateways Music Festival Unveils 2025–2026 Season Featuring Terence Blanchard and More
by A.A. Cristi - August 13, 2025


Gateways Music Festival, in association with the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, will launch its 2025–2026 season with a Fall Festival in Rochester, NY, from October 13–16, and conclude with a Spring 2026 homecoming to Winston-Salem, NC.

Trevin Nelson to Lead Workshop 'Pete Seeger: Folk Songs of Hope' at Passim
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 15, 2025


As part of their Summer School of Music classes, Boston musician Trevin Nelson will lead the special workshop “Pete Seeger: Folk Songs of Hope.” Learn more here!

Bloomingdale School of Music Reveals Fall 2025 Music Classes
by Stephi Wild - July 07, 2025


Bloomingdale School of Music on the Upper West Side of Manhattan has announced its Fall 2025 lineup of classes aimed at educating students of all ages, while instilling a sense of fun and passion for self-discovery.

Young New York City Musicians Graduate From Bloomingdale School Of Music Project
by A.A. Cristi - June 26, 2025


Bloomingdale School of Music has announced the graduates of its Class of 2025 Music Access Project (MAP). Celebrated for their years of talent, creativity and dedication, six young members of the Music Access Project are moving on to college in the Fall and sharing their joy of music.

UCLA Names Michael Beckerman New Dean of the Herb Alpert School of Music
by Stephi Wild - April 22, 2025


Acclaimed higher education scholar and author Michael Beckerman has been named the new dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He will begin his role at UCLA on or before October 1, 2025.

BEN VERDERY & FRIENDS: SOME TOWNS AND CITIES Comes to The 92nd Street Y
by A.A. Cristi - April 11, 2025


The 92nd Street Y, New York will present Ben Verdery & Friends: Some Towns and Cities, a very auspicious Art of the Guitar event, featuring guitarist, composer, and longtime series artistic director Ben Verdery in his NYC farewell concert, a culmination of his 40-year professorship at Yale School of Music and a showcase of his globally renowned virtuosity.

David Chan Appointed Professor Of Violin At Rice University's Shepherd School Of Music
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 10, 2025


The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University has appointed David Chan as Professor of Violin, starting full time in the fall of 2025. Learn more about Chan here!




Videos


TICKET CENTRAL