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Music

Students playing horns

The mission of the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø College Department of Music is to create a dynamic, welcoming, and collaborative community that helps students write their own unique music stories. Every semester, over one-quarter of the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø student body joins with us to perform, compose, take classes, and gain real-world experiences that connect them directly with professionals in the field. Every story is different, and the Department of Music is committed to supporting each student’s journey through a flexible and student-centered curriculum, access to top-tier faculty, international learning opportunities, and a deep connection to the vibrant and culturally rich city of Memphis.

  • All º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø students have the opportunity to participate in private lessons and musical ensembles, regardless of their major.
  • Our well-rounded Liberal Arts framework prepares students to become accomplished performers, composers, music scholars, and entrepreneurs.

two young men in a singing ensemble
a young man playing a horn
Hassell Hall
a young man drums onstage
Upcoming Music Events

The Department of Music presents concerts and special events throughout the year, featuring the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø Singers, Jazz Ensemble, º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø Orchestra and more.

a group smiles at the camera
Music Department Awards

Music Department Awards are presented each year to the outstanding music major and in the areas of instrumentalists, singing, and more.

chamber trio
NASM Information

º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. 

Related Links

Faculty & Staff

John Bass
Associate Professor of Music, Director of the Mike Curb Institute for Music
Jason Bishop
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies
Carole Blankenship
Professor of Music; Coordinator of Voice
Tom Bryant
Associate Professor of Music, Piano Coordinator
Courtenay Harter
Professor of Music Theory, Music Cognition, oboe/English horn; Chair of Music
Erika Pope
Musical Arts Coordinator
Vanessa L. Rogers
Associate Professor of Music, Music History Coordinator, Co-chair of Search
Jacob Sunshine
Assistant Professor of Music, Instrumental Coordinator

Departmental News and Events

º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø College music alumnus Gunter Gaupp ’16 is the 2025 winner of The American Prize Charles Ives Award in Chamber Music, which honors the finest contemporary chamber music composers in the U.S.
º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø College is proud to be recognized again as a top educator of the next generation of music industry leaders. For the fifth time in a row, the college’s Mike Curb Institute for Music has made Billboard’s annual list of Top Music Business Schools.
Trumpeter Muneer Nasser, the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø Jazz Ensemble, and the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø Faculty Players will perform as part of º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø Night at the Overton Park Shell on Thursday, Oct. 23. The concert celebrates º£½ÇÂÒÂ×רÇø College’s 100th year in Memphis.