Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music

• Composition and Arranging Emphasis

The Major in Commercial Music with Composition & Arranging emphasis provides the commercial music composition student with well-rounded skills in commercial arranging and orchestration for small ensembles through larger orchestral ensembles. Many of our graduates have become influential composers and arrangers for the music industry in Nashville and beyond. The degree culminates in a 25-minute recital in Massey Concert Hall.

*Each Composition & Arranging emphasis candidate must perform a vocal OR instrumental audition, as well as submit the below materials:

Two (2) compositions and/or arrangements in contrasting styles / tempos.

• NOTE: For BOTH submissions include:
  • Notated Score of Lead Sheet or a MIDI sequence mock-up of each composition
  • MP3 file of each composition

This emphasis must be confirmed after submission and approval of required material—typically by mid-term of the second semester.  Students who enter above Freshman level (or any student desiring immediate confirmation) should submit material at the time of audition or as soon as possible. Please contact Emily Murphy, Admissions Coordinator for the College of Music and Performing Arts for more details regarding submission of materials.

• Music Business Emphasis

The students who pursue the music business emphasis in the Commercial Music major leave Belmont with a diverse applied knowledge of the music industry and the capabilities of a performing musician.  In addition to core music courses such as applied lessons, music theory and ear training, students with a music business emphasis take a variety of courses in entertainment industry studies and the business of music. The degree culminates in a 25-minute recital in Massey Concert Hall.

• Music Technology Emphasis

Music Technology is a rapidly changing discipline with the most potential for career opportunities. Belmont's Commercial Music Major with Music Technology Emphasis students complete their program having a wide knowledge of audio and MIDI based programming and a portfolio of self-produced “DAW” based productions. As a culminating project, all students in this emphasis area are required to incorporate sequenced tracks into their senior recitals. This emphasis is a concentrated focus on the art of “Digital Musicianship”. It combines the disciplines and skills of the utilization of technology along with the knowledge of composing, arranging, and orchestrating.

We have a strong, thriving music technology department and believe that music technology is an important tool for today's “Digital Musician”.  Music Technology students are given access to our various Music Technology labs and software applications.  The degree culminates in a 25-minute recital in Massey Concert Hall. A consultation is recommended with coordinator Keith Mason before starting the Music Technology Emphasis (or during the first semester, if a first-year student).

Wilson Music Building Music Technology labs:



Students are able to take various courses in music technology so that they can be well prepared for the music industry upon graduation. Our Music Technology labs are outfitted with equipment to use during music technology or commercial composition and arranging classes. Students may use these labs for class-related projects. The software used in instruction are Logic Pro X, Ableton "LIVE Suite 10", Finale, numerous virtual instruments and sample libraries from Spectrasonics, Native Instruments, EastWest, and many others. Keith Mason is the coordinator of the Music Technology labs.

• Performance Emphasis

The performance emphasis for the Commercial Music major provides an excellent learning environment for the student who wishes to pursue music in both the professional and/or academic arena. This emphasis gives students opportunity to study with instructors that are established musicians in the studio and performance platforms. Classes in theory, ear training, harmony, ensemble orchestration, applied lessons, studio techniques, and class piano courses create the foundation of the commercial performance emphasis student.

Performance emphasis students are given many outstanding opportunities for performing throughout their college years. Whether it may be singing with a vocal ensemble, performing with peers in a variety of venues, or taking part in the auditions for our annual Commercial Music Showcase, the performance emphasis student graduates with practical training for the working musician. Students in this emphasis give both a 25-minute Junior and 50-minute Senior recital in Massey Concert Hall.

*This emphasis must be confirmed by the applied faculty in the performance area after the student completes their first commercial jury at the end of the fourth semester.

• Songwriting Emphasis

The Commercial Music Major with songwriting emphasis gives students an opportunity to explore and learn the craft of songwriting. The emphasis includes courses in commercial songwriting, and lyric writing. Songwriting students become top-notch songwriters in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, country, folk and R&B. The degree culminates in a 25-minute recital in Massey Concert Hall.

* Download the Songwriting Emphasis Application Information.

Each Songwriting emphasis candidate must perform a vocal OR instrumental audition, as well as submit the below materials:

Two (2) solo songs of contrasting styles/tempos in PDF and MP3 format

            Please note:

• Musical “charts” or scores (and lyrics, for vocalists) must be included for each song as PDF files. 
• Recordings of each song must be included as MP3 files.

This emphasis must be confirmed after submission and approval of required material—typically by mid-term of the second semester, but may submit earlier if desired.  Students who enter above Freshman level (or any student desiring immediate confirmation) should submit material at the time of audition or during their first semester.  Please contact Emily Murphy, Admissions Coordinator for the College of Music and Performing Arts for more details regarding submission of materials.