School of Music

Return to: College of Music and Performing Arts

Stephen R. Eaves, Dean
Madeline S. Bridges, Associate Dean, Academic Studies
Jeffrey W. Kirk, Associate Dean, Performance Studies

Stephanie Adlington*, Nancy Allen, Jeffery Ames, Erica Aubrey*, Mark Barnett*, Anthony Belfiglio, Bruce Bennett, Elena Bennett*, Rick Beresford*, Paula Bressman*, David Bridges*, Madeline Bridges, Maeve Brophy*, Eric Burgett*, Jo Lynn Burks*, Donald Byrd*, John Cardoni*, Jim Carlson*, Angela Carr*, Wayne Causey*, Kathy Chiavola*, Keith Christopher*, Jennifer Coleman, Billy Contreras*, Sarah Cote*, Mario DaSilva*, Stephen Davis*, Leslie Garbis*, Bruce Dudley, Sandra Dudley, Kris Elsberry, Matthew Endahl*, Clare Eng, Deen Entsminger, Alejandra Ferrer, Jocelyn Fisher*, Amy Frederick*, Kelly Garner, Mary George*, Mark Godwin*, Ellen Goebel*, Alison Gooding*, Alex Graham, Robert Gregg, Marjorie Halbert*, Linda Harmon*, Richard Hoffman, Jessica Johnson*, Todd Kemp*, Tara Johnson*, Tammy Rogers-King*, Jeffrey Kirk, Kristian Klefstad, Terry Klefstad, Dan Kozlowski*, Barry Kraus, Viktor Krauss*, Peter Lamothe, Virginia Lamothe*, Dan Landes, Jeffrey Lisenby*, Daniel Lochrie*, Todd London, Leslie Mann, Robert Marler, Keith Mason, Steve Mauldin*, David McKay*, Kara McLeland*, Keith Moore, Vanissa Murphy*, Craig Nelson*, Paul Nelson*, Adam Nitti*, Christopher Norton, Nicholas Palmer, Kathryn Paradise, John Pell, Francis Perry*, David Petschulat*, Jeffrey Phillips*, Carol Poston*, William Pursell, Susan Ramsay*, Richard Ripani*, Andrew Risinger*, Patricia Roberts*, Jefferson Rogers*, Radu Rusu*, Megan Santi*, Marilyn Shadinger*, Richard Shadinger, Dong-Yun Shankle*, David Shamburger, Tracy Silverman*, Elisabeth Small, Chris Smallwood*, Henry Smiley, Savanna Sokolnicki*, Emily Speck*, Buddy Spicher*, Megan Terwilliger*, Chester Thompson*, Robert Thompson*, Carolyn Treybig*, Joel Treybig, Michael Valeras*, Roy Vogt*, Alyssa Volker*, Mark Volker Natasha Walker, Derico Watson*, Jane Warren, Mark Whatley, Kristi Whitten, James Wigginton*, Steve Willets*, Grace Woodworth*, Ted Wylie, Xaio-Fan Zhang*.

*School of Music Adjunct Faculty

Belmont Academy: Carrie Kimbrough Director, Alessandra Astete, Graduate Secretary, Stephanie Adlington, Eric Burgett, Lael Caldwell, John Cardoni, Tibby Christenberry, Sarah Cote, Pam Davis, Amy Frederick, Mary George, Mark Godwin, Alyson Haley, Delores Hershey, Jeff Kitchens, Judy Mahone, Nick Palmer, Francis Perry, Jeff Rogers, Elisabeth Small, Robert Thompson, Nikki Wilson, Holly Yearout

Vision:

To be a premier comprehensive school of music, nationally recognized for distinctive programs that are committed to high standards of artistic scholarship and performance while championing innovation and stylistic diversity.

Mission:

Our mission is to study, perform, and create music in a stimulating student-centered environment that fosters excellence, discipline and technical mastery; supports innovation and stylistic diversity; engages students through effective and current teaching pedagogies; enlivens students in real world experiences as musicians and entrepreneurs; and offers a distinctive national model…preparing students to become successful 21^st century musicians.

Goals:

1. To offer a comprehensive set of diverse undergraduate and graduate curricula for students desiring to pursue music as a profession
2. To provide classes, ensembles, and private music instruction for students majoring in an area other than music
3. To enrich the cultural environment locally, regionally, and nationally.

Accreditation

The Belmont University School of Music is a fully-accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The School of Music offers ten majors leading to the Bachelor of Music, the Bachelor of Arts with a major in music, the Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in musical theatre, and six majors leading to the Master of Music. (Refer to the Belmont University Graduate Catalog for information on all graduate programs).

Admission and Academic Music Policies

This portion of the School of Music section of the university undergraduate catalogue includes discussions of: School of Music Admission Requirements, Admission to Junior Standing, and Senior Comprehensive Exam. In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the University, applicants for a major or minor in the School of Music must:

1. Complete all application materials required by the Admissions Office of Belmont University. All applicants must request an audition date as described in the application. Submit application materials to the University by the deadline specified on the application, usually at least 2-3 weeks prior to the desired audition date.
2. Complete a live audition following the guidelines found on the School of Music website at www.belmont.edu/music. Permission to submit a video audition (instead of a live audition date) may be requested. All specifications for completing the video audition will be sent to the applicant by email after permission for submitting a video audition is granted by the School of Music.
3. Complete the School of Music Basic Musicianship Test at the time of audition. If permission is granted for a video audition, instructions will be sent concerning the administration and completion of the Basic Musicianship Test. This test is included as part of the evaluation process for admission to the School of Music. Information about this test can be found on the School of Music website at www.belmont.edu/music.
4. Be admitted to Belmont University and the School of Music.
5. Take the following placement tests, which will be given during Towering Traditions summer orientation just prior to advising and registration:

Secondary Performing Area Placement:

All students except keyboard principals will have piano as the required secondary performing area. Keyboard principals in some majors have a voice secondary but in others may elect an instrument as their secondary area. (Music minors are not required to complete the Secondary Placement Test).

Music Theory and Aural Skills Placements:

All students are required to take the Music Theory Placement Test and may take the Aural Skills Placement if they desire advanced placement in Aural Skills.

Additionally, if the applicant is a transfer student the student must have applied study, piano study and theory courses taken at other institutions validated by audition and/or placement test in order to count toward graduation.

Admission to Junior Standing in Music

1. Admission of all new music students to the School of Music, freshmen and transfers, is provisional in nature. A student’s status in a specific music major becomes official with admission to Junior standing.
2. Consideration for admission to Junior Standing in Music will be based on completion of requirements listed below. The appropriateness of the curriculum for the student’s abilities and experience is also taken into consideration.
3. Students are admitted to Junior standing upon the successful completion of the following requirements:
   • Sophomore Technical Exam in the applied principal following four semesters of study in that applied area. (Transfer students who transfer four or more semesters of applied principal study must take the Technical after one semester of study at Belmont.)
   • Grade of C or higher in second semester of 2000 level applied study in the major area
   • Theory I and II, MUT 1310  and MUT 1320 
   • Aural Skills I and II, MUT 1330  and MUT 1340 
   • Introduction to Music: History, Style and Culture, MUH 1200 
   • Three semesters of MUG 2000 
4. Admission to Junior Standing confirms the student’s status in the specific music major and allows the student to proceed into 3000-level applied study.

Senior Comprehensive Exam Senior music students must take the Senior Comprehensive Exam during the semester in which they expect to graduate. This test includes diverse materials primarily from academic music courses and must be taken at the scheduled time in order for a student to be allowed to graduate.

Applied Music Policies

The School of Music offers lessons on five levels of intensity: Performance Major, Principal, Minor, Secondary and Elective. The Performance Major level is for the student whose primary interest is performance. It requires a high level of accomplishment. The Principal level is the primary performing level of B.M. candidates in Church Music, Commercial Music, Music Education, Musical Theatre, Piano Pedagogy, Theory, Composition, Music Major with an outside Minor, as well as for B.A. and B.F.A. candidates in Music. The Secondary level is the required second area of performance for B.M. and B.F.A. music candidates. Piano is the required secondary unless piano or organ is the principal.

Elective study is available to all students of the university, if faculty loads permit. No audition or jury exam is required of elective students. In addition to the private lessons, applied study for the major and principal includes weekly seminars; classes in technique, literature, diction, styles, improvisation, and pedagogy; and recital participation and attendance. Minor study includes seminars and recital participation and attendance only.

Principals and majors have three courses of supportive nature:

1. Seminar - Required each semester enrolled in Applied Principal.
2. Technique/Literature/Styles/Pedagogy - A series of courses in literature, styles, diction, and pedagogy related to the student’s applied principal.
3. Recital Attendance - Students must enroll and successfully complete seven semesters of MUG 2000 Recital Attendance . Students enrolled attend a prescribed number of recitals and concerts and all master classes/seminars in their major applied area. A syllabus which includes specific requirements is distributed at the beginning of each semester; syllabi are also available in the Music Office and online (through Blackboard website).
4. Juries - Music majors and minors must perform for the faculty each semester in their applied principal performing area, the equivalent of a final examination in lecture courses. Students who are taking applied study for elective credit are not required to audition or to take a jury. Students who wish to apply elective credit toward major or minor requirements, to move from a classical to a commercial principal, from a B.A. to a B.M. program, or from principal to performance major status must audition at jury time.

Sophomore Technical. At the end of the second year of classical applied study, or the first semester at Belmont for a student transferring four or more semesters of applied principal credit, the Sophomore Technical exam must be taken. The technical is a part of the Admission to Junior Standing. The student must demonstrate technical mastery of the principal instrument through performance, appropriate literature, technical studies and/or verbalization of technical understanding.

If the Sophomore Technical is not passed, the student may retake the Technical Exam once. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the student may not continue in that principal area as a music major.

Commercial Music majors with voice, keyboard, wind, string or percussion principals must demonstrate facility in classical literature and styles as a part of the Sophomore Technical Exam.

Junior Level Recital Requirements: All music majors must perform a Junior Level Recital during their Junior Year (3000-level applied study).

Recital Requirements. Performance majors in the Bachelor of Music degree and Performance emphasis under the Commercial Music major will give a half recital (25 minutes) in the junior year and full recital (50 minutes) in the senior year. All other majors will give a half recital in the senior year. A faculty hearing is required two weeks prior to the recital. All majors and minors must perform in their applied principal on Departmental Student Recital on a schedule specified in the School of Music Handbook.

Secondary Requirement. The study in the applied secondary is intended to establish functional usage on a practical level. To best accomplish this, a class approach is usually employed which allows the student two hours per week in directed study. Students with a strong background in the secondary applied may request private study. Piano is the required secondary instrument, unless the principal performing area is piano or organ. Voice is the required secondary area for keyboard principals majoring in Church Music and Music Education (vocal licensure). Keyboard principals in other majors may select their secondary from one of the approved secondary areas and must complete four semesters of study in that area.

Piano Proficiency Exam. All music majors must pass the Piano Proficiency Exam demonstrating functional use of the piano. Scales, chord progressions, harmonization of given melodies, improvisation, sight reading, as well as repertoire are included in the exam. Students must continue to study piano until the Piano Proficiency Exam is passed. Successful completion of this exam is a requirement for scheduling the student’s senior recital.

Commercial Music Study. The opportunity to study the performance, composition and arranging of Commercial Music is a distinctive of Belmont’s School of Music. A major in Commercial Music under the Bachelor of Music degree is an intensive program of study with specialization in Commercial Music built on a strong classical music base. The Music Therapy majors includes several semesters of commercial applied study. Majors in Music Education and Church Music and Worship have the option of pursuing an Integrative Track which includes several semesters of commercial applied study in addition to classical study. Students pursuing other classical music majors - Classical Performance, Musical Theatre, Piano Pedagogy, Music with an Outside Minor, Theory, and Composition - may also elect study in Commercial Music.

Recitals and Concerts

Many opportunities to hear and perform all types of music exist in the Nashville area. The School of Music presents student, faculty, and guest artist recitals. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra and other local arts organizations often offer discounts to Belmont University students. Other educational institutions and theaters in the city offer additional cultural experiences.

Bachelor of Music Degree Overview

The Bachelor of Music degree is designed for students who wish to prepare for professional careers in music as performers, teachers (private studio, university, secondary and elementary levels), church musicians, conductors, or composers and arrangers. The curricula leading to this degree are based on a philosophy which recognizes the necessity of rigorous professional training in all aspects of music, with correlative and supporting studies in the liberal arts. The peculiar demands of music training are such that students preparing for a career in music must agree to a greater amount of specialization in their undergraduate period. The curricula leading to the Bachelor of Music degree contain approximately two-thirds music and one-third liberal arts core. This degree provides necessary preparation for graduate study in music.

A broad core of general studies is included in each curricula to help music students heighten their awareness of natural phenomena, social involvement, and ethical values. Recognizing that certain subject matter areas and learning processes are common to all baccalaureate degrees in music, the programs of study in the Bachelor of Music degree share a music core required for all majors. These courses attempt to develop basic musicianship through studies which prepare the student to function as performer, listener, historian, theorist, conductor, composer, and teacher.

The following table includes the common General Education Core and Music Core of all music majors leading to the Bachelor of Music Degree through the School of Music at Belmont University. Complete coursework for each major in music can be accessed through links on the web page, Music Degree Programs .

¹ All classical majors take MUT 2340 and commercial majors and Music Therapy majors take MUT 2350 .

² Commercial Music majors, Music Therapy majors, and Musical Theatre majors do not have this requirement.

³ All students seeking the Bachelor of Music degree must participate in at least one ensemble each semester enrolled as a full-time student and earn a minimum of eight (8) hours credit except Music Education majors and Music Therapy majors who earn a minimum of seven (7) hours credit and Musical Theatre (BFA) majors who earn a minimum of ten (10) hours credit. This number of credits only may count toward degree requirements. See specific Ensemble Requirements for each principal area.

Music Degree Programs

The School of Music offers nine music majors leading to the Bachelor of Music Degree as well as a major in music leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students in other degree programs may also pursue a minor in music. All Belmont University students may elect music courses, private and class applied study, and participate in music ensembles as available. No audition or jury exam is required of electives in applied music.

Music Minor

Students pursuing B.A., B.B.A. and B.S. degrees may pursue the Minor in Music.

Music Ensembles and Ensemble Requirements

Music ensembles play an important role in the various curricula of the School of Music and the life of the Belmont Campus, both for music majors and the general student. A detailed description of each ensemble may be found in the course listings. One-Credit Hour Ensembles which meet the Ensemble Requirements for majors in Music include:

Additional ensembles include: Oratorio Chorus, Chamber Ensemble-Brass, and Chamber Ensemble-String Quartet.

General Ensemble Requirements for Music Majors

All music majors except Music Education majors, Music Therapy majors, and Bachelor of Arts majors are required to enroll in at least one of the approved ensembles for one hour credit every semester enrolled as a full-time student, earning a minimum of 8 semester hours credit. Music Education majors and Music Therapy majors must earn a minimum of 7 semester hours credit, Bachelor of Arts must earn a minimum of 6 hours credit and Music Minors must earn a minimum of 4 semester hours credit. This number of credits only may count toward degree requirements. Students should register for no more than one ensemble (for one hour credit) each semester. MUN 3900  (Oratorio Chorus, 0 hour credit) does not fulfill the ensemble requirement and thus is taken in addition to a one-hour ensemble. Extra ensembles do not count as elective credit for music majors or minors.

Choral Ensemble Requirements

Voice principals* must enroll in a choral/vocal ensemble each semester enrolled as a full-time student and earn a minimum of eight (8) hours credit. Exceptions: Music Education majors and Music Therapy majors take seven (7) semesters; Bachelor of Arts must take six (6) semesters; Musical Theatre Majors must take ten (10) semesters–two (2) semesters of choral ensemble and eight (8) semesters of MUN 3970 Musical Theatre ; and Music Minors must take four (4) semesters.

Composition majors take 4 semesters of choral ensemble and 4 semesters of MUN 4980 New Music Ensemble .

*Musical Theatre majors must take eight (8) semesters of MUN 3970 Musical Theatre , and two semesters of ensemble other than Music Theatre. Classical Voice Performance majors must take two (2) semesters of MUN 3960 Opera Theatre  or MUN 3970 Musical Theatre . No more than four semesters of MUN 3970 Musical Theatre  may count toward this requirement for music majors other than those majoring in Musical Theatre.

Oratorio Requirements

All music major, voice principals, are required to enroll in MUN 3900, Oratorio Chorus, for two (2) semesters. MUN 3900  does not fulfill the requirement that music majors must be enrolled in at least one of the approved one credit hour ensembles every semester enrolled as a full-time student.

Ensemble Requirements for Instrumental Principals

Instrumental principals must participate in an ensemble each semester enrolled as a full-time student and earn a minimum of eight (8) hours credit. (Exceptions: Minors must earn 4 credit hours, Music Education majors and Music Therapy majors must earn 7 hours, and students pursuing BA in Music must earn 6 hours of ensemble credit.)

With the exception of Music Education majors, the following policies affect choice of ensemble:

• Instrumental principals (winds/strings/percussion) must participate in an instrumental ensemble
• Instrumental principals (guitar, piano, or organ) may participate in choice of ensemble
  
  EXCEPTION: Composition majors take 4 semesters of choral ensemble and 4 semesters of MUN 4980 New Music Ensemble 

Ensemble Requirements for Music Education Majors/Instrumental Principals/Traditional Track:

• Music Education majors (traditional track) whose applied principal is a wind or percussion instrument must take a minimum of seven (7) semesters of MUN 4900 Wind Ensemble  or MUN 4730 Concert Band .
• Music Education majors whose applied principal is a string instrument must take a minimum of five (5) semesters of MUN 4930 Symphony Orchestra  or MUN 4740 String Chamber Orchestra , two (2) semesters of symphony Orchestra of String Chamber Orchestra for zero credit; and two (2) semesters of MFI 3120 Chamber Ensemble-String Quartet .
• Music Education majors whose applied principal is piano, organ, or guitar (and thus are pursuing vocal licensure) must take four (4) hours of choral ensemble. Remaining ensembles may be choice of ensemble.

Ensemble Requirements for Music Education Majors/Instrumental Principals/Integrative Track:

• Music Education majors (integrative track) whose applied principal is a wind or percussion instrument must take:
  • Four (4) semesters (for one credit each, semester 1-4) of MUN 4900 Wind Ensemble  or MUN 4730 Concert Band 
  • Three (3) semesters of Wind Ensemble or Concert Band for zero credit (semesters 5-7)
  • Three (3) semesters (for one credit each semester) of a commercial instrumental ensemble (semesters 5-7)
• Music Education majors (integrative track) whose applied principal is a string instrument must take:
  • Four (4) semesters (one credit each, semesters 1-4) of MUN 4930 Symphony Orchestra  or MUN 4740 String Chamber Orchestra 
  • Three (3) semesters of Symphony Orchestra or String Chamber Orchestra for zero credit (semesters 5-7)
  • Three (3) semesters (for one credit each semester) of a commercial instrumental ensemble (semesters 5-7)

Ensembles in Residence

The School of Music has three ensembles in residence-The Belmont Chamber Winds, The Belmont Brass, and The Belmont Camerata Musicale. These ensembles present recitals and workshops each semester on the campus and throughout the Middle-Tennessee area. Members of these ensembles are faculty members who teach in their areas of performance.

Facilities and Resources

The School of Music is housed in the Sam A. Wilson Music Building and the Massey Performing Arts Center.

The Sam A. Wilson Music Building, completed in 1994, contains the School of Music offices, music faculty studios/offices and instructional/rehearsal space. The lower level of this three-floor structure contains practice rooms, a piano lab, and two music technology labs. An organ studio containing a small Wicks pipe organ is also housed in this building.

The Massey Performing Arts Center is a two-level structure which houses both instructional and performance space. The upper level contains Massey Concert Hall, a multipurpose space with a seating capacity of 1000. The hall has a 39-rank, three-manual Wicks pipe organ, and two Baldwin concert grand pianos.

The lower level of the Massey Performing Arts Center houses teaching studios, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, practice rooms, and Harton Recital Hall. The recital hall seats 100 and contains two Baldwin grand pianos.

The music section of Lila D. Bunch Library includes more than 8,587 books, 12,145 scores, and subscribes to multiple on-line resources. The Listening/Viewing Center, also housed in the music section of the library, contains more than 8,000 compact discs, 9,000 LP recordings, 3,761 cassette tapes, 139 laser discs, 471 DVDs, computer software and CDROM programs, and 4,625 video cassettes, as well as listening and viewing facilities and an electronic keyboard for score reading. The music library is under the supervision of a full-time music librarian.

Percussion instruction, practice space and ensemble rehearsal space is located in Belmont Heights Baptist Church. The Church Sanctuary provides space for choral concerts. A 55-rank Aeolian-Skinner organ provides a fine resource for organ teaching and performance and for University events.

Basic band and orchestral instruments are available for class and ensemble use. Other instruments provided are 40 upright pianos, 40 grand pianos, and harpsichords by Sabithil Richard Kingston. Belmont’s historic Tower houses a 43-bell carillon.

Music Organizations

The following are national music organizations with active chapters at Belmont University:

The Epsilon Eta Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society recognizes high academic achievement and superior musicianship.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia advances the cause of music in America. Membership is based on scholastic standing and is by invitation only to men interested in the development and furtherance of music.

Sigma Alpha Iota brings a bond of sisterhood and mutual interests with great artists, teachers, composers, and students of music throughout the world. Membership is by invitation and is based on scholarship and performance ability.

The student chapter of National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) is dedicated to advancing the profession of teaching music.

The Belmont chapter of the American Music Therapy Association (BAMTA) is dedicated to advancing the profession of music therapy.

The American Choral Directors Association is a professional association of active choral directors and those interested in the choral art.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded to new students (both freshmen and transfer students) on the basis of promising performance and academic ability. Scholarship audition dates are held in November, January and February. The annual schedule of audition dates is available upon request from the School of Music Office and is online on the School of Music website.

Music scholarships are renewable through the four years of study provided the student maintains a 2.75 GPA in all courses and a minimum grade of “B” in principal applied study. This evaluation is made each semester with one semester of probation allowed before the scholarship is reviewed by the Scholarship Committee for termination. Music grants are available for certain instrumentalists based on ensemble participation.
Several special scholarships for students majoring in music have been provided by friends of the school, or designated from existing funds.

The Roy and Mildred Acuff Scholarship provides significant grants for outstanding music students.

The Betty Skelton Brewer Church Music Scholarship recognizes outstanding musicians preparing for a church music vocation.

The Helen Trotter Midkiff Campra Scholarship is awarded to a student dedicated to the pursuit of Classical Music and majoring in Church Music, Music Performance, Piano Pedagogy, Composition, or Music Theory.

The Cynthia R. Curtis Scholarship is awarded to a student with outstanding academic and performance skills.

The Melinda Doolittle Music Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate commercial music major who is a voice principal.

The Fowler-Gregg Orchestral Scholarship is awarded each year to an outstanding member of the Belmont Orchestra.

The Friends of the Arts at Belmont-Music Scholarship, provided by gifts from alumni and friends of the School of Music, is awarded to one or more deserving incoming freshmen.

The Kathy Elmer Ganus Scholarship is awarded to a music major who demonstrates high academic and performance ability.

The Ronn and Donna Huff Endowed Music Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student in composition and arranging.

The Leonora McKissack Ikard Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a music student majoring in Piano.

The Bill Justis Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students in composition and arranging.

The Edith Sheriff Kimball Music Ministry Scholarship is awarded to music students preparing for a career in music ministry.

The Carolyn Townsend McAfee Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students who have a major or principal in organ or who are studying classical voice with a strong interest in choral performance.

The Florence Esther Mathis Scholarship is provided for a Baptist music major with financial need.

The Dunkin A. Nelson Scholarship is awarded to Commercial Music students with an emphasis in performance or composition and arranging.

The Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore Awards are given each spring in recognition of superior work during the previous academic year. A one-year scholarship award is provided for the following school year.

The Jonathan Phillips Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a percussion student.

The Theodore Presser Scholarship provided by the Theodore Presser Foundation, is awarded annually to the outstanding junior music student who is recognized as The Presser Scholar for the senior year.

The Mary C. Ragland Scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in classical voice.

The Richard C. Shadinger Scholarship is awarded to student with strengths as an organist, pianist or church musician.

The J. Randolph Smith and Betty G. Smith Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a student with especially strong performance ability.

The Chandler Thornhill Jazz Music Scholarship is awarded to a commercial music major with a primary interest in performing instrumental jazz.

The Elizabeth Wall Piano Scholarship is awarded to a deserving pianist.

Dr. Jerry L. Warren Choral Scholarship is awarded to an active member of Belmont Chorale.

The Johnnie Wiley Music Scholarship is awarded to older students with financial needs who are in church-related music studies.

The Merrydale Woods Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding freshman piano student. This award may be retained for the four years of matriculation, during which time the student is recognized as a Woods Piano Scholar.

Music Studies Abroad

The School of Music participates in three programs for international study: a year-long or semester-long music exchange and a four-week summer program - typically in May. The music exchange program involves a choice among five institutions abroad - the Hochschule fur Musik, Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden, Germany; the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, Russia; the Conservatoire National de Region/University of Angers in Angers, France; University of Manchester in England, or the Conservatory of Fiesole outside Florence, Italy. During the programs (which may include applied study, academic courses, ensemble participation and recitals) students gain an enhanced understanding of international culture and stronger language skills in addition to excellent music training. A basic knowledge of the particular language is necessary to participate in the exchange program. Credit gained through these programs varies, depending on the international program undertaken by the student and the length of the study abroad. The summer program offers six hours of credit in international studies and includes students in other disciplines in addition to music with travel to Dresden, Prague, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Financial aid is available for all of these programs.

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