Mercer University Launches Music Business and Production Degrees at Historic Capricorn Studios

In a bold move that marries legacy with forward‑looking education, Mercer University will introduce two new undergraduate programs in the fall of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Music Business and the Bachelor of Music in Music Production will be housed in the Townsend School of Music and will be built around the university’s partnership with Mercer Music at Capricorn, as well as the recently acquired Robins Financial Capitol Theatre and the Piedmont Grand Opera House.

The curriculum blends traditional music study with hands‑on industry training. Students pursuing the music‑business track will complete 30 credit hours that incorporate courses from the School of Business, covering entrepreneurship, management, and operations. Those on the production track will finish 21 credit hours that include foundational music courses and applied lessons in studios and digital audio workstations.

Capricorn Studios, which reopened in 2019 after a period of vacancy, will serve as the primary learning environment. According to Townsend School of Music Dean Dr. Gary G. Gerber, the studio’s facilities grant students access to professional engineers, producers, and recording artists. Students will also gain real‑world experience through internships and live‑lab opportunities at the Capitol Theatre and the Grand Opera House—venues that have hosted artists such as Emmylou Harris and Phoebe Bridgers.

The new degrees have received approval from the National Association of Schools of Music and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Mercer has hired Dr. Sean Gehricke—formerly a faculty member at Chapman University and a 16‑year veteran of the Los Angeles music industry—to lead the programs.

According to the university, the initiatives are designed to support Georgia’s expanding entertainment sector. Located in Macon, Mercer sits near Atlanta’s growing film, television, and music production hubs. “We hope our graduates will stay in Georgia and find employment in the industry,” said Dr. Gerber.

Interest in the inaugural class has already begun. More than a dozen students have applied, Dr. Gerber noted, and the university is promoting the programs through social media and word of mouth.

Mercer Music at Capricorn is part of a broader effort to preserve the legacy of Capricorn Records, the label that launched Southern rock acts such as The Allman Brothers Band and Marshall Tucker Band. The facility now houses recording studios, educational spaces, offices, and artist‑development programs.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. Gerber through the Townsend School of Music for more information.

In summary, Mercer University’s new music business and production degrees will launch in fall 2026, offering students a blend of academic coursework and industry‑ready training at historic Macon venues. The programs are fully accredited and supported by a partnership with Capricorn Studios and local theaters, positioning graduates for careers in the modern music industry.