Another year, another Billboard recognition.
For the third consecutive year, Tennessee State University has been named one of Billboard Magazine’s Top Music Business Schools for 2025. TSU’s Commercial Music Program, part of the Department of Music, joins other renowned programs in receiving this prestigious recognition.
TSU’s program continues to distinguish itself as the oldest accredited commercial music program at an HBCU. Located in the heart of Nashville, with faculty who are active in the industry, the program offers students unique, hands-on learning experiences. The October issue of Billboard highlights TSU’s commitment to aligning with current industry trends, providing strong faculty engagement, and emphasizing site visits, guest speakers, and internship opportunities.
Dr. Mark Crawford, professor and coordinator of the Commercial Music Program, said the recognition reflects the program’s quality and consistency.
“I’m very proud and pleased,” Crawford said. “This consecutive recognition shows the veracity of our program. It’s about consistent activity and having a presence in the music community.”
That “activity and presence,” Crawford explained, stem from the abundant opportunities, accessibility, and resources available to TSU students, especially due to the university’s strategic location in Nashville, often referred to as ‘Music City.’ Students benefit from hands-on experience through internships, guest lectures, and networking events, often securing employment offers before they graduate.
Commercial music students regularly attend industry events and field trips, such as visits to the Gibson Guitar Factory, BMI, Warner Brothers, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. During these trips students participate in discussions with professionals across the entertainment sector. Recently, Crawford hosted an alumni music panel, where graduates returned to share insights about their careers and experiences beyond TSU.
One of those alumni was Sydney Verge, who earned a bachelor’s degree in music, and an MBA from TSU.
“It was a full-circle moment to see the other side of the classroom and engage with current students,” Verge said of her experience as a panelist. “It’s good to know that the students are still hungry, engaged, and eager to learn.”
Now working with the Recording Academy, Verge said the Billboard recognition is both validating and inspiring.
“To be mentioned alongside many other great schools shows that the standards are there, the work is there, and the results are there,” she said. “We’re operating on the same level as programs across the nation and beyond.”
Adding to the momentum within TSU’s Department of Music, the university is also celebrating Professor Jasmine Fripp, director of the University Choir and TSU Meistersingers, who was recently named a GRAMMY® Music Educator Award Semi-Finalist for her outstanding impact on students and music education. Her recognition highlights the depth of musical excellence across the university from commercial music to choral performance and education.
Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, expressed pride in the program’s continued success.
“We have known for years the quality of our program, and Dr. Crawford has been the key architect behind it,” Morgan-Curtis said. “We appreciate that Billboard has recognized that excellence. Dr. Crawford and the program balance the scholarly with the practical to ensure our students are competitive in all job markets.”
TSU’s continued recognition by Billboard underscores the university’s growing reputation as a leader in music business education and innovation. To learn more about the Commercial Music Program, visit tnstate.edu/music.
Click here to view TSU’s Billboard recognition online.
