About the School of Music
This is an exciting time to join us in the School of Music.
The vision of the School of Music is to create a world class collaborative program for a
community of highly innovative and adaptive musicians. This program will be musically diverse, equipping young artists with a broad range of contemporary skills, enabling them to build a sustainable career while serving and loving the world with their gifts.
The School of Music shares Lipscomb University’s commitment to a Christian liberal arts
education and functions as an integral part of that commitment. Our mission is to lead students to an appreciation and comprehension of the creative spirit across time and culture, within the
context of the Christian faith.
Recognizing that music is an integral part of a liberal arts education, the School of Music seeks
to provide:
- Innovative instruction for students pursuing careers in traditional and non-traditional music fields,
- Engaging opportunities for each university student to participate in rich and varied musical experiences,
- Enriching events for the university and larger community to experience music through concerts and collaborative workshops, and
- Valuable resources for church music ministries.
Lipscomb University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
The School of Music collaborates with the College of Bible and Ministry to offer an interdisciplinary major in worship ministry to provide students with the knowledge and skills to assist congregations in meaningful, purposeful times of worship.
The school's applied music classes and private lessons are taught by full-time faculty, adjuncts or private instructors selected from the wealth of talent available in Nashville, including members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and leading studio musicians.
Private lessons and ensembles are open to all university students. Performance opportunities include: University Chorale, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, String Ensemble and various chamber groups. Internships in music-related fields are available.
Dr Wendy Matthews
Director, School of Music
 | In April 2015, Lipscomb University achieved the internationally respected “All-Steinway” status and now provides its students with all Steinway pianos for lessons, practicing and performing, accelerating the students to a higher level of musicianship that these superb instruments provide and demand. |
The All-Steinway School designation is awarded by Steinway & Sons to universities, conservatories and other schools of distinction. Lipscomb University joined more than 170 institutions around the world who have earned this designation as of 2015. The school worked for eight years, phasing out non-Steinway pianos and raising funds, to achieve the designation.
A 2013 Steinway & Sons study showed that music educators believe that an All-Steinway designation reflects a higher degree of quality in music education at the partnering institutions.
The 2023 Nashville Piano Achievement Competition will be held on March 4th, 2023. Details for this event will be updated on this page.
The Nashville Piano Achievement Competition was founded by a group of Nashville piano teachers seeking to provide an opportunity for students to perform standard repertory, chosen by level, and to be rewarded for excellence in preparation and performance. After many years of successful leadership by a board of these teachers, the Competition has been hosted by Lipscomb University's School of Music since 2011.