Belmont University Named Among The Hollywood Reporter's Top 20 Music Schools in the World

Belmont University's College of Music & Performing Arts ranked 15th among the world’s top 20 music schools in The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious annual list. The 2024 ranking, which highlights institutions preparing the next generation of composers across all media, places Belmont alongside renowned institutions The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. 

This recognition underscores Belmont's strength in preparing students for careers across the music industry, from performance and composition to production, with alumni working at major entertainment companies, recording studios and performing arts organizations worldwide. With a 97% job placement rate within six months of graduation, the honor reflects the University's continued commitment to providing cutting-edge music education in one of the world's premier music cities. 

"This acknowledgment from The Hollywood Reporter validates what we've long known about our program's excellence and innovation in music education," said Dr. Stephen Eaves, dean of the College of Music & Performing Arts. "Our location in Nashville, combined with our world-class faculty, exceptional experiences and state-of-the-art facilities, allows us to prepare students for the evolving demands of the music industry. This ranking reflects not just our educational excellence, but also our students' and alumni’s success across many sectors of the industry." 

The strength of Belmont's music programs is showcased through signature events like "Christmas at Belmont," the University's beloved holiday tradition which will be available via Prime Video and Amazon Music for the first time in December, bringing this spectacular student performance to audiences worldwide.  

The College of Music & Performing Arts offers comprehensive programs spanning classical, contemporary and commercial music, with noted strength in music technology and digital musicianship. The program's success is enhanced by its collaboration with Belmont's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, where students can further develop their technical and business acumen through state-of-the-art audio engineering facilities and programs and other industry-focused coursework. 

Highly regarded within the entertainment industry, The Hollywood Reporter's annual ranking was determined through polling of the Society of Composers and Lyricists, the Composers Diversity Collective and Motion Picture Academy and Television Academy music branch members. The publication particularly noted Belmont's position in the heart of Nashville's Music Row and its commitment to preparing students for modern technological demands in composition and production.