Tag Archives: Commercial Music

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TSU named ‘a top’ Commercial Music Program again by Billboard, will hold inaugural career fair 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – For the second consecutive year, Tennessee State University has been recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of the 2024 Top Music Business Schools. TSU’s commercial music program, within the university’s music department, joins over 25 internationally acclaimed music business programs in receiving this prestigious recognition.

TSU commercial music program continues to distinguish itself as the oldest accredited program of its kind at an HBCU. TSU’s Nashville location, combined with faculty who are active in the industry, gives students unique, hands-on learning experiences. The October issue of Billboard highlights TSU’s commitment to current industry trends, its low faculty-to-student ratio, and its emphasis on industry site visits, guest speakers, and internship opportunities. 

Dr. Mark Crawford

Dr. Mark Crawford, music professor and coordinator of the commercial music program said this recognition speaks to the quality and consistency of the program. “Receiving this accolade two years in a row shows our students are actively engaged in internships, placements, and other vital experiences,” he said.

Building on this momentum, TSU’s commercial music program will host its first-ever music industry career fair on November 15. Offering students a networking platform, the career fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. This event will connect students and faculty with nearly 30 established companies, including UMG, Concord, Live Nation, SESAC, Nashville Symphony, Sweetwater, Endeavor and more.

While TSU holds successful career fairs each semester, Crawford recognized the need for an event specifically tailored to students pursuing careers in music and entertainment. “This career fair is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce directly,” Crawford said. The goal is to build a pipeline for students by connecting them with leading organizations, from record labels to talent agencies, PROs, financial management firms and more.

With over 25 years of partnerships and hands-on learning opportunities, TSU’s commercial music program has continually supported student success. Through connections with industry leaders like Wasserman Media Group and the PROPEL Center, an innovative hub for HBCU students developed in collaboration with Apple, TSU has built a robust network for students. Another aspect of the commercial music program is the music business accelerator program, a three-week Maymester course that collaborates with leading organizations and nonprofits.

For the past three years, TSU has collaborated with the Black Music Action Coalition to provide students with real-world experiences alongside companies like Apple Music, Live Nation, and Atlantic Records. The upcoming career fair aims to build on decades of commercial music efforts by providing students the opportunity to network directly with even more industry leaders.

Billboard selects top music business schools based on industry recommendations, alumni data, and nearly a decade of reporting. TSU’s consecutive recognition adds to its milestones as the university prepares the next generation of music industry leaders.

Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, expressed gratitude for the program’s achievements. “Our program celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and continues to prepare students for success,” she said. “This event will provide a networking opportunity to ensure that TSU continues producing prepared students to work in industry.”

Check out Billboard’s latest issue recognizing TSU at www.billboard.com/pro/top-music-business-schools-2024-list/.

EVENTS, FACULTY, NEWS

‘Songwriters in the Round’ Showcases TSU Musicians’ Original Works March 25

SongwritersintheRoundNASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – In the spirit of the Nashville songwriting community, students from Tennessee State University will take part in the 6th Annual Songwriters in the Round, Tuesday, March 25. Free and open to the public, the event takes place in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall beginning at 7 p.m.

Hosted by the Department of Music’s Commercial Music program, the concert will showcase the writing talents of student-singer songwriters at the University. Songwriters will share their inspiration behind the creative process of writing songs.

According to Dr. Mark Crawford, associate professor and coordinator of the commercial music program, many performers do not write their own material and rely solely on professional songwriters. This program is formatted to allow songwriters to step out into the spotlight and be seen and heard by the public.

“The concert brings TSU music students along with faculty who will perform and accompany themselves the songs they have composed,” said Dr. Mark Crawford, associate professor and coordinator of the commercial music program. “Concert attendees will experience pure music, no hype, while each student performs their original songs and play their own instruments.”

This year’s event will feature Nathan Clay, a freshman Commercial Music major from Nashville in his first showcase; and Charity Ward, a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major and Music minor from Detroit, who began singing as a little girl. She picked up the guitar at age13 and soon began writing songs.  She has performed with Robert Glasper, Angie Stone, Eric Roberson, and PJ Morton.

Also taking part in the showcase is Daniel Mireee, a Liberal Arts Music major from Detroit and who now calls Nashville home. He currently owns and operates several independent record labels and studios. He has written and published more than 50 songs and produced more than 15 albums for artists all around the globe. He has also written several musical plays for Christian audiences.

The event also showcases the talents of Cierra Fleming, a Commercial Music technology major and Mass Communication minor from Denver, who is in her first showcase. She is a current member of Grammy U, a unique and fast-growing community of college students who are pursuing a career in the recording industry. Her goals include owning her own music publishing company, and becoming a successful songwriter, producer and engineer. 

Rounding out the showcase is Aliah Aiken, a trained flautist, vocalist and songwriter from Decatur, Ga. The Commercial Music major has been writing songs since the age of 11. In addition to songwriting, Aiken has been principal chair of the TSU Wind Ensemble for three consecutive years. She was also the 2012 winner of the BET College Tour Sing Off, and will be a featured Concerto Soloist at the 2014 HBCU National Band Directors Consortium in Atlanta. This is her first songwriter showcase.

The Commercial Music program at TSU is first and foremost a music degree, in which students study various careers and business practices of the music industry. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Music with a Concentration in Commercial Music.

Because it is a music degree, commercial music students study piano, music theory, music history, as well as enroll in private applied lessons, seminar, present a recital, and participate in one of the Commercial Music ensembles. The ensembles perform at local schools and various civic events throughout the Nashville area, and have even performed on the Bobby Jones gospel music television show.

For more information on the Songwriters in the Round concert, contact Dr. Mark Crawford, coordinator of the commercial music program, at 615.963.5210 or [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

 

 

About Tennessee State University

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.