MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It was a study abroad trip that was two years in the making for 17 students from Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment as they traveled to London, England, where they got real-world, hands-on experiences like no other.

Organized by commercial songwriting associate professor Odie Blackmon and co-led by audio production professor Bill Crabtree, the class — “London Calling: The Recording Industry” — took place over a week as students from the commercial songwriting program within the Recording Industry Department wrote songs with students from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London.

“I had the opportunity to co-write with students from London,” said senior commercial songwriting major Lauren Teel, of Murfreesboro. “These experiences will help me in my future endeavors of wanting to become a published country songwriter, because it opened up my world to the possibilities of different perspectives within my songwriting.

“Going to new places is always great inspiration for new music, and London was no exception.”

Music business students from MTSU’s program had the chance to meet and work with industry professionals Char Grant and Julian Palmer.

Grant’s career has been immersed in talent development and artist management since 2010. She signed publishing deals for P2J, TSB, AOD, Ghetts and more. Palmer, a Sony Music A&R executive, has 40 years of experience in the music industry and has discovered and developed major UK artists.

Blackmon said the trip’s goal was to get students out of their comfort zones and provide them with experiential learning, cultural depth, and a global understanding of the music business and life.

“I want to make sure it’s a great trip, and it’s experiential learning and has a cultural influence on them,” Blackmon said. “Before they even go, they have an idea of what they’re getting into, and it gets them out of their comfort zone. It makes their world smaller in a way; they have to use problem-solving and teamwork skills, and it may give them an opportunity to travel for the first time.”

Senior audio production major Josie Schoffstall, of Lovettsville, Virginia, agreed, saying the experience was eye-opening in a number of ways.

“Being in London with people I didn’t know, doing things I usually don’t do, opened my eyes. I have a lot to learn about myself, our industry and other people, and if I stick to my routine, I might never learn those lessons,” Schoffstall said. “This trip opened my eyes to how I live my everyday life and how I rarely go out of my comfort zone.”

The 17 students also took a backstage tour of the Royal Albert Hall, attended “Swan Lake” there, toured Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Box, England, attended the musical “Back to the Future” at the Adelphi Theater in London’s West End and took in historical sites of music history interest on a “London Rock Walk Tour.”

“Having the opportunity to tour Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios was extremely special since unless you are on their roster, you never get to tour that place because it is so exclusive,” said Teel.

“I was like a kid in a candy store seeing all of the gear they had,” Schoffstall said about visiting Real World Studios. “It’s this beautiful property in the middle of nowhere. Going in there and seeing their gear, which is the same gear we have at MTSU and being like, ‘I’ve used that,’ was really cool.”

Students learned how to use the London Tube and visited The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, Bath, England, and Tea at Kensington Palace Orangery. They also saw Queen Camilla leaving an event.

“Without Odie and Bill, this trip would not have been as successful and beneficial as it was. Their connections, preparation, and diligence gave us a memorable experience that transcends what can be learned in a classroom alone,” said Will Price, of Cookeville, who is double majoring in audio production and commercial songwriting.

In a text message to students as they returned to Nashville, Crabtree wrote, “It was truly my great honor to travel with you on one of life’s memorable adventures. I have gotten to know each and every one of you far beyond what would have been in a typical class. We saw some great sights, created music and found new friends that will be with us for many years to come. You are all forever etched into my heart and mind.”

Blackmon said the group was proud to see a digital sign at the Nashville International Airport as they walked to baggage claim boasting, “MTSU — Home of the only College of Media and Entertainment in the world.”

Watch a recap video of the trip below.

Planning for next year’s London study abroad trip is already in the works.

“I learned so much on this first trip about how to do this even better in the future,” Blackmon said.  

Blackmon also credited the success of the trip to Crabtree — “I wouldn’t want to do it again without Bill,” he said — and criminal justice faculty Lee Wade and Beth Wright who mentored him and helped him through the whole process of planning a study abroad.

Blackmon said he “also had a ton of support” from the Office of International Affairs faculty and staff, including Paige Brake, Rehab Ghazal, Robert Summers and Megan Richard; as well as EXL Director Carol Swayze who coached him on experiential activities and deeper learning outcomes with reflection assignments and assessments.

“All these folks had a huge hand in making this trip happen,” he said.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)