Memphis continues to make its mark on the national music scene — this time through the halls of Rhodes College.
The Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes College has been recognized by Billboard as one of the nation’s Top Music Business Schools. The list highlights programs shaping the future of the music industry through innovation, hands-on experience, and community connection.
“The continued recognition from Billboard is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our students,” said John Bass, Ph.D., Director of the Mike Curb Institute. “We’re grateful to be included among such an inspiring list of schools and for the opportunity to celebrate what our students do every day.”
Each year, the Curb Institute engages more than 75 students across a variety of programs for both performers and non-performers. Billboard specifically spotlighted the Curb Community Fellows Program, which funds students to work directly with Memphis music organizations like Goner Records, Royal Studios, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the Memphis Music Initiative. The publication also highlighted Dredge, the Institute’s student-run zine and social media platform, along with its live concert series, the Audubon Sessions.
Founded in 2006 through a gift from the Mike Curb Family Foundation, the Institute was created to explore and celebrate the influence of Southern music on culture, history, and the economy.
Rhodes joins a list of acclaimed programs across the South and beyond, including Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Belmont University, and Delta State University’s Delta Music Institute.
For nearly a decade, Billboard has celebrated colleges and universities that shape the next generation of artists, producers, and industry leaders. Schools are selected based on alumni success, faculty excellence, community impact, and recommendations from industry professionals.
From the stage to the studio, Memphis continues to prove that its music legacy is alive, evolving, and in good hands with the next generation.
