Recording Industry
Unleash your songwriting talent develop a diverse and industry-relevant set of songwriting skills.
Recording Industry, Commercial Songwriting Concentration, B.S.
MTSU offers a songwriting degree through the College of Media and Entertainment as a Concentration of the Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry. Students must choose between the Commercial Songwriting Concentration and the Music Business Concentration.
Music is an important part of life, and for many, music means songs. Songs are a magic combination of lyrics and melody that makes a difference, ranging from lifting a mood to driving a movement. Located near Nashville, the nation's songwriting mecca, MTSU offers students exceptional opportunities through its Commercial Songwriting degree program. With talented faculty members who have ties to all parts of the industry and the founding college chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), students enter a crowded field with valuable advantages.
Among award winners who started at MTSU are:
- Luke Laird, whose songs have been recorded by the likes of Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, and Tim McGraw
- HunterGirl, of "American Idol" fame
- Rufio Hooks, the writer of Billboard 5-week #1 "Butter," performed by K-pop supergroup BTS
- Aaron Raitiere, whose songs have been recorded by Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, and Robert Randolph
- Amy Lee, the songwriting and singing powerhouse for multi-platinum alternative rock band Evanescence
- Country music superstar, Hardy, whose songs have been recorded by Florida-Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, and Blake Shelton
Additionally, the Commercial Songwriting concentration offers instruction for students who want a career in the music industry. These careers include arranger, artist, musician, producer, singer, songwriter, A&R executive, Music Supervisor, and publisher.
Tours
The Recording Industry Department offers faculty-led tours every Friday at 1 p.m., during the Fall and Spring terms. You may also schedule a tour during the Summer term by appointment. To schedule a tour, e-mail: [email protected].
If you live in one of these states: AR GA KY LA MD MS OK SC VA WV; you may be able to attend MTSU at in-state rates under the Academic Common Market program.
News Briefs
Grammy winner, alum returns as professor with all the beats
From Grammy Award winner to adjunct professor — Torrance "Street Symphony" Esmond shares his experience and skills with students. After graduating in 2003, Street Symphony found himself back on MTSU's campus 16 years later teaching a Hip Hop and R&B songwriting class. "Mentorship is and always has been important to me. I felt it was time to come back and share my knowledge, skills, and experience with students with the intent to help advance their careers," he says. The Grammy winner, who has worked with artists like Yo Gotti, G-Easy and 2 Chainz, adds it's an "honor" to come back and teach at the school and program that has been incredibly supportive of his career.
Commercial songwriting students learn from world-renowned artists
Students in MTSU's Commercial Songwriting program continue to learn from the best in the business! Singer, guitarist for Prince, and founding member of The Revolution are just a few of the highlights on Dez Dickerson's resume. Now, he's teaching Performance Skills in MTSU's College of Media and Entertainment. Grammy-nominated and No. 1 hit songwriter Shelly Peiken is in the classroom teaching a pop/rock songwriting workshop. Known for her songs like Christina Aguilera's "What a Girl Wants" and "I'm a Mess" by Bebe Rexha, she is also the founding board member of Songwriters of North America and the author of "Confessions of a Serial Songwriter." Doug DeAngelis, a multi-platinum engineer and producer with more than 30 Billboard Magazine No. 1 singles and original work in shows like "90210," "Catfish: The TV Show," "Celebrity Fit Club," and "Flip or Flop," among others, is teaching Songwriting for Film, TV, and Gaming.
News Briefs
Grammy winner, alum returns as professor with all the beats
From Grammy Award winner to adjunct professor — Torrance "Street Symphony" Esmond shares his experience and skills with students. After graduating in 2003, Street Symphony found himself back on MTSU's campus 16 years later teaching a Hip Hop and R&B songwriting class. "Mentorship is and always has been important to me. I felt it was time to come back and share my knowledge, skills, and experience with students with the intent to help advance their careers," he says. The Grammy winner, who has worked with artists like Yo Gotti, G-Easy and 2 Chainz, adds it's an "honor" to come back and teach at the school and program that has been incredibly supportive of his career.
Commercial songwriting students learn from world-renowned artists
Students in MTSU's Commercial Songwriting program continue to learn from the best in the business! Singer, guitarist for Prince, and founding member of The Revolution are just a few of the highlights on Dez Dickerson's resume. Now, he's teaching Performance Skills in MTSU's College of Media and Entertainment. Grammy-nominated and No. 1 hit songwriter Shelly Peiken is in the classroom teaching a pop/rock songwriting workshop. Known for her songs like Christina Aguilera's "What a Girl Wants" and "I'm a Mess" by Bebe Rexha, she is also the founding board member of Songwriters of North America and the author of "Confessions of a Serial Songwriter." Doug DeAngelis, a multi-platinum engineer and producer with more than 30 Billboard Magazine No. 1 singles and original work in shows like "90210," "Catfish: The TV Show," "Celebrity Fit Club," and "Flip or Flop," among others, is teaching Songwriting for Film, TV, and Gaming.
Created with input from music industry professionals and the leading industry associations, MTSU's innovative Recording Industry curriculum is a cutting-edge program that helps blaze a tailor-made path for its students into any of the many rewarding careers of Tennessee's robust music industries. Examples include
- Arranger
- Artist
- Musician
- Producer
- Singer
- Songwriter
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- ASCAP
- BMG Music Publishing
- BMI
- Cal IV Entertainment
- Creative Nation
- EMI Music Publishing
- Universal Music Publishing
Degrees
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