News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Middle Tennessee State University

School of Music

Visit Web Site
TwitterCollege 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




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

Video: Fiona Maura Unveils Metamorphosis Dance in 'Clouds' Music Video
by Josh Sharpe - October 31, 2024


Fiona Maura's new music video 'Clouds' explores themes of healing and metamorphosis through dance and sound. Inspired by her great-grandmother, watch the video, which blends haunting visuals with sound healing.

Nashville Repertory Theatre Unveils 2024-2025 Ingram New Works Playwrights And New Play Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 02, 2024


Nashville Repertory Theatre revealed the 2024-2025 Ingram New Works Playwrights and New Play Series, featuring innovative new plays and emerging playwrights. Discover the future of theatre in Nashville. Learn more!

10th Annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards To Be Held In Nashville Next Week
by Blair Ingenthron - September 07, 2024


It is a significant milestone for the Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner, which will be held on September 11, 2024, at City Winery Nashville.

In The Spotlight: Coffee County High School's Edgar Guzman
by Jeffrey Ellis - May 19, 2024


Today we begin a six-part series of interviews with the Spotlight Awards’ nominees for Outstanding Lead Performer, shining the BroadwayWorld Nashville spotlight on the talented young actors who will compete for the opportunity to represent Nashville, Middle Tennessee and TPAC at The Jimmy Awards.

Chris Cooper And Cast Present 'Sublime' Version of [title of show] at MTSU
by Jeffrey Ellis - April 03, 2024


Cooper’s clear and focused direction of [title of show] ensures that the action that transpires over the course of 90-plus minutes holds your attention, reminds you of people you know and delivers a pretty spot-on depiction of what real life is all about. With the able assistance of musical director Angela Tipps (the only non-student involved in the production, except for the professors who serve as mentors of the student-led creative team and production crew) and choreographer Paige Lovell (who provides the quartet of actors some fancy footwork that enlivens the proceedings), Cooper and his ideally cast quartet of actors, in this critic’s estimation, deliver the goods and then some.

Stephen Wilson Jr. Announces Headline Acoustic Tour; Multiple Dates Already Sold Out
by Michael Major - January 23, 2024


Stephen Wilson Jr. has announced his debut headline tour with a run of acoustic dates this spring and summer. Within hours of being on sale, shows in New York City, Birmingham, Louisville and Minneapolis sold out with limited tickets left for the remaining dates.

Vide: Stephen Wilson Jr. Releases Acoustic Performance Video for 'Year To Be Young (1994)'
by Michael Major - December 04, 2023


Stephen Wilson Jr. released a live acoustic performance video for single “Year To Be Young (1994).” The video comes on the heels of Holler naming Wilson’s debut double album søn of dad their #1 Album of the Year, calling Wilson “a sage storyteller and unrivaled songwriter whose welcome arrival spurs a ground-breaking new energy in Nashville.”

COLLEGIATE THEATRICS: Logan Purcell of Middle Tennessee State University
by Jeffrey Ellis - November 29, 2023


We continue to celebrate the return of Collegiate Theatrics with an interview featuring one of our favorites from the theatre department at Middle Tennessee State University in nearby Murfreesboro: Logan Purcell, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, who will be graduating in 2025. We know Logan from his onstage appearances in MTSU’s productions of Fun Home, Cabaret and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in which his talents were on prominent display.

A Nashville Theater Tribute: GIVING THANKS FOR DENICE, Part 3
by Jeffrey Ellis - November 22, 2023


Denice Hicks is a national treasure who's been hiding out in plain sight in Nashville, Tennessee, for more than a quarter century. One of the most sought-after actors and directors in town, she has appeared on virtually every stage and her exquisite talents have been enjoyed by audiences and fellow theatre-types since her first Music City appearance as a cast member at the now-defunct Opryland USA theme park.

COLLEGIATE THEATRICS: Emma Bastin of Middle Tennessee State University
by Jeffrey Ellis - November 15, 2023


Today, we herald the return of Collegiate Theatrics – our first interview with a university-level actor since before the pandemic – featuring one of our favorites from the theatre department at Middle Tennessee State University in nearby Murfreesboro: Emma Bastin, a native of Lebanon, Tennessee, who will be graduating next spring.

The Blues Foundation Reveals New Board of Directors and Officers
by Stephi Wild - November 15, 2023


 The Blues Foundation has announced the elections of a new Board of Directors and officers. Scott Fitzke, whose tenure as Chairman of the Board is ending due to term limits, will be succeeded by Terika Dean, who served as Vice Chairman under Fitzke.

Middle Tennessee State University's RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA Proves Anything Is Possible
by Jeffrey Ellis - November 06, 2023


Today we celebrate our most recent sojourn with Cinderella and company, thanks to the sumptuously designed, beautifully staged and wonderfully sung Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, presented in an all-too-brief one-weekend run at Middle Tennessee State University’s Tucker Theatre in Murfreesboro.

Video: Stephen Wilson Jr. Shares 'Grief Is Only Love' Acoustic Performance Video
by Michael Major - October 10, 2023


Following the release of his critically-acclaimed debut double album søn of dad via Big Loud Records, Indiana-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. has shared a moving acoustic performance video for “Grief Is Only Love.” 

Stephen Wilson Jr. Releases Debut Double Album 'søn of dad'
by Michael Major - September 15, 2023


Wilson has also shared the official music video for “patches.' Directed by Wilson Jr. and Tim Cofield, the symbol-heavy video chronicles a day in the life of a cast of colorful characters in rural America – including an alien and an astronaut that can't seem to escape each other.

Frist Art Museum Presents THE POWER OF RESILIENCE, August 25, 2023– April 1, 2024
by A.A. Cristi - August 10, 2023


The Frist Art Museum presents The Power of Resilience, an exhibition featuring works by more than 80 adult artists with disabilities who are served by five social service agencies in Middle Tennessee. The exhibition includes individual and collaborative artworks and will be on view in the always-free Conte Community Arts Gallery from August 25, 2023, through April 1, 2024.



Past Student Productions

SHOW THEATER
Sense and Sensibility
(9/29/22 - 10/7/22)
Middle Tennessee State University
Stop Kiss
(10/21/21 - 10/24/21)
Middle Tennessee State University
The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow
(2/25/21 - 2/28/21)
Middle Tennessee State University
Six Degrees of Separation
(2/20/20 - 2/23/20)
Middle Tennessee State University
Closer Than Ever in Broadway Closer Than Ever
(12/5/19 - 12/5/19)
Middle Tennessee State University
Everybody
(11/7/19 - 11/15/19)
Middle Tennessee State University
KISS ME, KATE (Original 1948)
(10/24/19 - 10/27/19)
Middle Tennessee State University
These Shining Lives
(10/3/19 - 10/6/19)
Middle Tennessee State University
WEST SIDE STORY
(4/20/16 - 4/24/16)
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
(4/9/14 - 4/13/14)
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
(11/6/13 - 11/10/13)
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
A FUNNY THING...FORUM
(4/4/13 - 4/14/13)
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You