The Department of Music offers the Bachelor of Science Degree in Music with concentrations in Music Education, Commercial Music, and Liberal Arts, and the Master of Science degree in Music Education. All degrees offered by the Department of Music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Music Education program is also approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and accredited by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) through the University's teacher certification program.
The Department of Music supports a full compliment of vocal and instrumental performance ensembles and opportunities, including the Orchestra, String Ensemble, Tennessee State University Choir, Meistersingers, Symphonic and Concert Band, two Jazz Ensembles, Percussion Ensemble a Pep Band, the TSU Aristocrat of Bands marching band and their world famous SOUND, the TSU ShowStoppers Show Choir, and a host of small vocal and mixed- and like-instrument ensembles. The Opera Workshop mounts at least one opera, including sets, costumes, and orchestra, each year. The Commercial Music Ensemble compliments these traditional groups by providing instruction and performance in contemporary, popular music styles.
The Music Faculty is made up of over forty full- and part-time instructors, each of whom is a specialist within a particular area of music. The Department also makes extensive use of the abundant commercial music resources found in