The Music Journalism and Media concentration is an exciting BA degree offered through a partnership between the College of Music and the College of Communications & Information’s School of Journalism & Media. Dive into a curriculum crafted to ignite your passion for music while equipping you with the skills and expertise needed to thrive in the ever-evolving world of media and journalism.
The Music Journalism and Media concentration is designed for students to have a focused professional education in music, emphasizing general aspects of the arts and entertainment industries.
Students take hours in music “Performance Electives” (i.e. applied lessons, ensembles, or a combination of both) as well as a core in musicology, music business, and flexible music electives based on interests and career goals. On the journalism and media concentration side, students take courses in topics such as media marketing, communications, multimedia writing, scriptwriting, legal environments in professional music, multimedia reporting, content creation, and entrepreneurship. You can find the full curriculum for this degree program in the undergraduate catalog.
How to Apply
One of the many benefits to this BA program is that performance auditions are not required for admission. Interviews are required as part of the application process. Only if students wish to complete their “Performance Elective” credits through applied lessons then they must audition for a spot in an applied studio.
Steps:
1. Apply to the University of Tennessee. Visit the admissions website for more information.
2. Submit an application to the College of Music through getacceptd.com/utkmusic.
3. Once you apply to the College of Music via GetAcceptd, a member of the Music Admissions team will contact you to schedule your interview.
Program Highlights
- Unlock your potential: Take courses in keyboard, musicology, and music business, while mastering essential subjects like economics, marketing, communications and English composition.
- Real world experience: Benefit from personal mentoring and professional development opportunities in both the College of Music and the College of Communication and Information, ensuring you thrive both academically and personally in your pursuits in music, journalism, and media.
- Tailored learning: Auditions are required for private lessons and some ensembles, allowing you to tailor your musical experience to your specific interests and talents while integrating coursework in journalism and media.
- Flexible curriculum: Enjoy a flexible curriculum where 15 credits come from a basket of options in performance, musicology, jazz, and keyboard, empowering you to shape your educational journey according to your passions and goals.
Career Opportunities
A music journalism degree can open doors to a wide range of exciting career opportunities within the dynamic landscape of media, journalism, and the music industry. Some potential career paths include:
- Music journalist/reporter
- Music critic/reviewer
- Music editor
- Music blogger/influencer
- Music publicist/PR specialist
- Music historian
- Radio/TV Music Presenter
- Continued study in fields outside of music such as business and law
- Work in non-profit and social entrepreneurship and arts organizations
Meet Our Faculty
Juan Carlos “JC” Quintero
Director of Music Business and Communications
Those well versed in Latin American culture know Medellín, Colombia is often referred as, “La ciudad de la eterna primavera (the city of eternal spring),” a reflection of the vast Andean Valley’s culture, art, flowers, music and people. Both musically and spiritually, the heart, soul and guitar of Juan Carlos Quintero’s music reflects the colorful sounds and diverse rhythms of his cherished birthplace.
Latin music was a very natural gravitation for JCQ when he first picked up the guitar at age eight: “No matter what style I ever played in, I always came back to my heritage. Music from Colombia crosses so many boundaries and its ability to seduce while celebrating life has always moved me. Colombian rhythms are so majestic, they have a strong natural appeal to me. This music seems to show up every time I compose or perform, I can’t help it! A few years before I picked up the guitar, I remember being mesmerized by a band that played in a high school next door to my elementary school in Brussels. They were a cover band playing Latin music and I was convinced, ‘Those are the guys from the radio!’ I was hooked from then on.”
JCQ was particularly inspired by masters like Quincy Jones, Gato Barbieri, Cal Tjader, Miles, Tito Puente, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana, but he felt that Chick Corea, Eddie Palmieri, Gato Barbieri and Gary Burton best brought out the excitement of bridging melodic improvisation with composition. JCQ took this lead both attending Berklee College of Music in the early 80’s and when he launched his own solo career later in the decade. He studied composition at Boston’s New England Conservatory with George Russell before moving to Los Angeles, where he plugged into the city’s studio scene with the help of his mentor Tommy Tedesco (The Wrecking Crew). While developing his freelance guitar-work by day, JCQ composed a volume of original music and sought out old Boston schoolmates to help bring the music to life via gigs throughout Los Angeles. An opportunity to open for longtime hero, Gato Barbieri convinced him to keep writing and start making records…