Board approves commercial‑music curriculum; film students win state recognition

The board approved a new commercial‑music curriculum designed to prepare students for contemporary music careers, including new courses in music business, class guitar, and film scoring, a commercial‑music lab to replace jazz combo for enrolled students, and a flexible senior capstone that may be a recital, recording project or internship.

Dr. Thomas presented the curriculum and said the program had been developed over approximately three years, designed to integrate with the existing music sequence and to broaden recruiting appeal. Trustees asked about faculty needs; Dr. Thomas said the school expects to hire an adjunct guitar instructor in the near term and may propose a full‑time position as the program grows. Board members also discussed outreach and the role the foundation and alumni in Nashville could play in industry partnerships.

Separately, the film and drama departments showcased senior films produced across departments: 48 students participated in an anthology of four shorts staged inside a constructed house set. School juniors were finalists in the South Carolina young‑filmmakers competition, and one Governor's School film won the short‑film award. Trustees praised the cross‑department collaboration as evidence of the school’s growing film capacity.

A motion to adopt the new commercial‑music curriculum was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting. Trustees encouraged staff to include the new program in communications about the school’s return on investment to state legislators and to consider mobile outreach ensembles for broader statewide visibility.