Master of Music in Commercial Music

You'll have a variety of opportunities in Belmont's Master's of Music in Commercial Music program including:

• Participate in ensembles with other students passionate about music
• Perform in state-of-the-art performance halls
• Join a thriving, musical community in Nashville

National Association of schools of Music (NASM)

1. Apply to the University

• Create a BU4U account
• Complete the Belmont University Graduate Studies Application for Admission
• Pay the $50 Application Fee

2. Submit Supplemental Materials

Once your application is submitted and the application fee is paid, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the supplemental pieces of the application. You will be required to provide the following:

1. Two completed recommendation forms from individuals who know the applicant's musical abilities. At least one recommendation must be completed by an individual who can address the applicant's accomplishments and potential in the academic classroom setting.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A writing sample from undergraduate academic course work.
4. Statement of Purpose. This one-page essay should describe why you are interested in the desired degree program and Belmont University, and address your personal and professional career goals.
5. Official transcripts of all previous college and masters level work. International applicants with college level coursework from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services ( wes.org). Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students who have earned below a 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

3. Submit Prescreening Materials

In addition to the listed supplemental materials, all applicants are required to submit prescreening materials for their degree of choice. The materials you submit to Acceptd will be reviewed as your prescreen materials, and not your formal audition. An email will be sent with instructions for submitting these materials via our prescreening platform, Accept’d. The prescreening process is as follows: 

1. Submit the University application and pay the application fee; instructions are then sent detailing how to submit prescreening materials.
2. Create an account via our prescreening platform, Accept’d,
3. Upload required prescreening material by the deadline that corresponds with your intended audition date. Deadlines and requirements are listed below.
4. If the prescreening is passed, register for a live audition date. 

Video/audio editing, mixing, or re-mastering of any kind is not permitted for prescreening submissions. Any materials received that have been altered will result in an automatic denial. 

Prescreening results will be released in rounds that correspond with the prescreening deadlines. Results may be released earlier, but are guaranteed to be released within two weeks of the deadline. 

4. Audition for the School of Music

All applicants are required to audition for the School of Music. The audition day will consist of a live audition and interview with our faculty. The interview will also allow time for questions from attendees. 

An audition registration email will be sent upon receipt of the application, all supplemental materials, and passing through the prescreening.

DATES AND DEADLINES

Prescreening Requirements:

Performance + Media Composition and Arranging Emphasis

1. Include 10-12 minutes of high-quality audio and/or video, which should:
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
   • Highlight contrasting abilities within commercial genres performed or highlight contrasting abilities within a single genre of specialization. 
2. Include "liner notes" detailing background information on the audio or video submitted. 

Recordings may be of existing performances, demos, and recording projects from professional or undergraduate work, or be created specifically for this audition. Full songs or excerpts are acceptable. If you choose to submit a professionally produced recording project for your prescreening, only one of your pieces may be from that project - all other submissions should be unedited, live audio. 

Applicants to the Media Composition and Arranging Emphasis must also include a PDF of scores with their prescreening materials.

Liner Notes Template

• Student Name
• Intended Major and Emphasis
• Principal Instrument
• The following details for each musical selection:
  • Title
  • Songwriter/Composer
  • Your role in each recording (i.e composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, etc.)
  • Date of recording
  • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)

Audition Requirements:

Emphasis Area - Performance

Voice

1. Perform 3 pieces on a microphone with a rhythm section provided by the School of Music (Drums, Bass, Piano and/or Guitar).
   • One piece may be self-accompanied (a piano will be available. If you choose to play guitar, please bring your own instrument).
   • One piece may be an original composition.
   • At least one piece should either demonstrate virtuosity in commercial vocal technique (i.e. range, flexibility) or an advanced level of musicianship (i.e. improvisation/ad lib, complex original arrangement).
   • Contrast in selections is greatly encouraged. This can be achieved by selecting pieces in three distinctly different commercial genres or by selecting pieces of contrasting tempo and feel within a genre of specialization.
   • No classical or musical theater repertoire will be accepted.
2. Provide accurate and readable charts and arrangements for the rhythm section (4 copies). Charts should be prepared in the key of performance.
3. Be prepared to coach the rhythm section with minimal rehearsal time while adjudicating faculty observe.

Instrumental (Includes Piano)

1. Perform 3 pieces with a rhythm section provided by the School of Music (Drums, Bass, Piano and/or Guitar).
   • At least one piece should demonstrate technical virtuosity on the instrument (i.e. string applicants are encouraged to perform a tune from fiddle repertoire, pianists and guitarists are encouraged to prepare a solo piece).
   • At least one piece should demonstrate an advanced level of musicianship (i.e. improvisation on a jazz standard or similar repertoire).
   • One selection may be a transcription or original composition.
   • Contrast in selections is greatly encouraged. This can be achieved by selecting pieces in three distinctly different commercial genres or by selecting pieces of contrasting tempo and feel within a genre of specialization.
   • If desired, applicants can offer one classical excerpt IN ADDITION to the 3 required commercial pieces.
2. Provide accurate and readable charts and arrangements for the rhythm section (4 copies). Charts should be prepared in the key of performance.
3. Be prepared to coach the rhythm section with minimal rehearsal time while adjudicating faculty observe.
4. Demonstrate the ability to sight-read a selection provided by the faculty adjudicators and demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios.

Emphasis Area - Media Composition and Arranging

The audition day will consist of a portfolio review with our Composition faculty. 

Portfolio Requirements:

1. Scores and recordings for 3 original works featuring at least two different combinations of instruments and/or voices, and totaling approximately 10-15 minutes of music. If an audio recording of a live performance is unavailable, electronic mock-ups will be accepted. (These pieces should be different than those submitted for the prescreen recording). 
2. A repertory list of all compositions including dates and brief descriptions.

Please submit portfolio materials (standard audio MP3 or WAV file) via email to the Graduate Admissions Coordinator. Files too large to email should be shared through Dropbox or Google Drive.

All scholarships will be distributed based on the strength of the audition. All applicants are considered for scholarships.