Music
Build a wide range of repertoire and performance skills to meet the demands of today's musicians.
Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration, B.M.
The Instrumental Performance Concentration in the Bachelor of Music degree is offered by the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU. There are four specializations available in this program.
- Brass, Harp, Orchestral Strings, Woodwinds and Percussion
- Guitar
- Jazz Studies
- Piano
Instrumental Performance majors at MTSU receive top-shelf teaching from high-performing faculty. Students focus on guitar; piano; jazz studies; or brass, orchestral strings, woodwinds, and percussion. Numerous student ensembles perform in styles from concert and marching band to orchestral and chamber music, to jazz, salsa, and steel drum band. Groups have performed concert tours in China, Korea, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, and Italy. Instrumentalists are close to Music City's recording studios, Nashville Symphony, and a thriving live music market. To be admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree program, all entering students must pass an audition before the faculty on their major instrument or voice. In addition, all prospective new or transfer undergraduate music majors and minors are required to take the Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam to determine appropriate placement in the music theory program. For additional information and to schedule a time for the exam, contact the School of Music Office.
News Briefs
Guitar graduate grabs another international prize
MTSU School of Music graduate Silviu Ciulei (B.M.) recently took first place in one of the most preeminent competitions in the world, the Indiana International Guitar Festival and Competition at Indiana University's esteemed Jacobs School of Music. It was Ciulei's eighth competition prize in 18 months, earning him $1,500 plus a handmade Kolya Panhuyzen guitar worth $12,000. When Romanian native Ciulei first arrived on campus, MTSU bought a concert guitar for him to play (now used by other students). Ciulei studied guitar performance with MTSU professor William Yelverton and has just completed his doctorate at Florida State University.
Alumni conduct on Broadway; tour with Queen tribute, The Who
MTSU graduate Stephen Malone is the associate musical director, associate conductor, and a keyboardist for 2012 Tony Award winner Newsies the Musical. Reggie Grisham, a trumpet performance alum, is touring with The Who. Recent grad Tyler Warren was chosen by international competition to be drummer for official Queen tribute band, Extravaganza. Malone graduated with a music degree in Instrumental Performance (Organ) after first studying voice. The Disney Theatrical Productions stage musical opened in 2011 and debuted on Broadway in 2012, with Jeremy Jordan starring until joining the TV show Smash. Music is by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. The show is based on the 1992 film Newsies.
News Briefs
Guitar graduate grabs another international prize
MTSU School of Music graduate Silviu Ciulei (B.M.) recently took first place in one of the most preeminent competitions in the world, the Indiana International Guitar Festival and Competition at Indiana University's esteemed Jacobs School of Music. It was Ciulei's eighth competition prize in 18 months, earning him $1,500 plus a handmade Kolya Panhuyzen guitar worth $12,000. When Romanian native Ciulei first arrived on campus, MTSU bought a concert guitar for him to play (now used by other students). Ciulei studied guitar performance with MTSU professor William Yelverton and has just completed his doctorate at Florida State University.
Alumni conduct on Broadway; tour with Queen tribute, The Who
MTSU graduate Stephen Malone is the associate musical director, associate conductor, and a keyboardist for 2012 Tony Award winner Newsies the Musical. Reggie Grisham, a trumpet performance alum, is touring with The Who. Recent grad Tyler Warren was chosen by international competition to be drummer for official Queen tribute band, Extravaganza. Malone graduated with a music degree in Instrumental Performance (Organ) after first studying voice. The Disney Theatrical Productions stage musical opened in 2011 and debuted on Broadway in 2012, with Jeremy Jordan starring until joining the TV show Smash. Music is by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. The show is based on the 1992 film Newsies.
Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration, B.M.
The School of Music mentors students to become articulate musicians, successful as performers, composers, scholars, and music-business persons and in advanced degree programs. MTSU graduates are regularly accepted into prestigious schools of music such as Indiana, Manhattan School of Music, Michigan, Florida State, and Wisconsin. Possible career options in addition to performing professionally include
- Arts manager
- Band director/leader
- Church musician/worship leader
- Composer/arranger/orchestrator
- Conductor
- Instrument salesperson/repair technician
- Instrumental performer
- Marketer
- Music critic/journalist
- Music editor and publisher
- Music educator
- Music librarian
- Musicologist
- Songwriter
- Studio/private teacher
- Talent agent
- University professor
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- Nashville Symphony Orchestra
- Regional orchestras in a number of states and metropolitan areas
- University of Southern Mississippi
- University of Northern Colorado
- Middle Tennessee State University
- The Kennedy Center
- Major Command Army Band at Fort Bragg, N.C.
- K-12 schools and colleges throughout the nation
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Instrumental Performance music majors at MTSU come from around the world and receive top-shelf teaching from high-performing faculty. Students focus on guitar; piano; jazz studies; or brass, orchestral strings, woodwinds, and percussion. Programs are strong in all areas. Numerous student ensembles provide performances in styles from concert and marching band, orchestra and chamber music, to jazz, salsa, and steel drum. Groups have recently performed concert tours of China, Korea, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, and Italy. Instrumentalists also are close to Music City’s recording studios, Nashville Symphony, and a thriving live music market. Students regularly have master classes with world-renowned artists and can even study on period instruments.
Public Accountability Notice
Middle Tennessee State University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1970. The Bachelor of Music degree programs with concentrations in Instrumental Music Education and Vocal/General Music Education K-12 are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
To see data about the program, please visit this webpage: https://planeffectiveness.mtsu.edu/musicbachelor/.
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