NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business opened the first of two phases of its landmark Music Row expansion to students on Tuesday, Aug. 12, just in time for the beginning of fall classes. Made possible by a historic $58 million lead gift from philanthropist and music industry icon Mike Curb and the Mike Curb Foundation, the renovation of the Buddy Lee Attractions/Capitol Records building at 38 Music Square East includes 17,000 square feet of songwriting rooms, listening spaces, live sound classrooms and student lounges.
"It is with the generous partnership of Mike Curb that Belmont unveils phase one of its industry-immersive entertainment education hub on Music Row, further cementing Curb College’s reputation as a leader in entertainment and music business education,” said University President Dr. Greg Jones. “At the heart of today’s opening is a shared vision of preserving the history of Music Row while positioning our students to shape the future of the industry.”
Brittany Schaffer, dean of Belmont’s Curb College, added, “Belmont’s stewardship of the next generation of music and entertainment industry leaders makes the University as integral to the Music Row community as the music companies who also line these iconic streets. The epicenter of America’s creative heartbeat, Music Row is the ideal location for Belmont’s growing footprint, as it creates a natural intersection of industry and education that fosters collaboration and drives innovation.”
Alongside the interactive classrooms, songwriting rooms, student spaces and faculty offices, the renovated building houses new and updated offices for Nashville’s Leadership Music. It also sits adjacent to Belmont’s space at 34 Music Square E., which includes the historic Quonset Hut and Columbia Studio A, along with classrooms and songwriting rooms. Taking these spaces together, Belmont is now using 37,007 square feet of Music Row to develop and educate future entertainment and business leaders who will occupy this historic area.
Additionally, Belmont worked with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame to curate a display of one-of-a-kind artwork, memorabilia and commissioned artifacts throughout the facilities. The tangible pieces of history hanging on the walls – including charcoal prints of inductees on a gallery wall and handwritten lyrics of hit songs from legendary songwriters – serve as a reminder of Music Row’s impact on the industry to inspire students and industry professionals utilizing the state-of-the-art creative spaces.
Whereas Phase One exemplifies Belmont’s commitment to keeping music on Music Row, Phase Two will serve the broader entertainment ecosystem to ensure continued collaboration and innovation. Supported by an additional fundraising campaign, Phase Two includes the construction of a 71,900-square-foot facility behind Belmont’s existing Music Row footprint that will integrate all disciplines of the industry. For new developments and updates, visit www.curbcollegeonmusicrow.com.
About the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business
In the early 1970s, Belmont first established a music business program designed to prepare students for operational, administrative, creative and technical careers in the music industry. The program grew in both size and reputation, leading to the advent of the full Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business in 2003. Currently home to more than 2,500 students in undergraduate and graduate programs that include music business, audio engineering technology, media & entertainment industries, songwriting, publishing, sport administration, journalism and motion pictures, Curb College boasts an impressive faculty of academic scholars and authors, entrepreneurs, songwriters, producers, filmmakers and sound and recording engineers. The college serves as a world leader in music business and entertainment industry education and the only freestanding college of its kind.
About Belmont University
Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of nearly 9,000 students who come from every state and 33 countries. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach as well as its commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont’s mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, Belmont University aims to be the leading Christ-centered university in the world, producing leaders who will radically champion the pursuit of life abundant for all people. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
###
