MUSIC: COMMERCIAL MUSIC

About Commercial Music

At NNU, you’ll develop as a well-rounded musician with a strong foundation in classical and contemporary music. From there, you’ll dive into the world of commercial music—where creativity meets technology, business, and performance.

Your coursework will include audio signal flow, studio production, recording techniques, arranging and producing, performance instruction, sound reinforcement, entrepreneurship, and more. You’ll also have access to our recording studio and commercial music lab where you will work on ProTools and other industry-standard programs.

What sets NNU apart is the hands-on training you’ll receive. At the heart of the program is live sound: you’ll work with professional-level lighting and production equipment in the Brandt Center, where we host chapels, campus events, concerts, touring artists, and professional productions. These experiences give you the core skills you need to thrive in today’s music industry.

The program culminates in a study-abroad experience in Nashville, the hub of America’s music industry. You’ll take courses from industry professionals, participate in seminars with guest artists, and gain practical, hands-on learning in production, publishing, management, songwriting, and performance. This immersive opportunity allows you to build connections, expand your professional network, and see firsthand how the commercial music industry operates at the highest level.

At NNU, your education goes far beyond mixing tracks or mastering live sound—it’s about discovering how your creative gifts can serve, lead, and inspire. Rooted in the Department of Music’s four pillars—Academic Excellence, Artistic Excellence, Character & Calling, and Service—the Commercial Music program prepares you to bring integrity and innovation to every facet of the music industry. Whether producing in the studio, performing on stage, or launching your own creative venture, you’ll graduate as a skilled, faith-driven professional ready to make an impact in today’s ever-changing musical landscape.