B.M. in Music Industry

Introduction

Since 1966, the Music Industry program at the Frost School of Music has been at the forefront of music industry education. We are proud to be named as one of the top music industry programs by Billboard magazine each time they have published a list. Our Music Industry programs derive their strength from three key components: coursework, extra-curricular activities, and the faculty. In our Music Industry courses, students gain knowledge about virtually all aspects of the industry, including how each of the areas has evolved over time to lead us to where things are today, and how they are likely to continue evolving in the future. Through our extracurricular activities, students gain hands-on experience in a variety of settings, including internships, student-run music enterprises, and music-industry-related organizations and clubs. Students begin their careers in the music industry the day they come to study with us. Our faculty are considered to be pracademics in that they are both academics as well as practitioners in the music industry. They are able to draw on their extensive backgrounds, as well as their current activities, to ensure that our students understand the complexities, challenges, and opportunities of this quickly changing industry.

Educational Objectives

• Students will have a conceptual understanding of the structures and inter-relationships of the music industry.
• Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of the vocabulary and terminology associated with the music industry.
• Students will be able to comprehend and apply basic music publishing procedures.
• Students will know how to promote recorded music.
• Students will have an understanding of the performing artist as a major economic factor in the marketplace.
• Students will develop a set of skills applicable to the music industry including: project budgeting, creating and enacting marketing and promotional plans, and understanding basic agreements and licenses.

Curriculum Requirements

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EMC core courses require a grade of “C” or higher.  Lessons require a grade of "B-" or higher.

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Ensembles may be 1- or 2- credit courses. Consult the UM Course Catalog before registering.

Advanced Writing and Communication Skills

Courses

All students are required to successfully complete 3 Advanced Writing and Communication Skills (AWC) courses. Student degree requirements will include courses that meet the desired communication outcomes in evaluated and revised writing, speaking, stage presence, and audience engagement.

All music students will successfully complete:

1. MCY 141 European Musical Traditions, which will include substantial evaluated and revised writing components.
2. MIN 420 Music Industry Capstone Projectwhich will include discipline-specific communications skills.
3. WRS 230 Advanced Professional Communication, COS 333 Business Communication, OR WRS 331 Legal Writing, which will include discipline specific communication skills.

Assessment

There will be at least 2 specific assessments in each Advanced Communication Skills course for communication or writing equivalent to 4000 words, evaluated and revised.

Suggested Plan of Study

Mission

The Bachelor of Music in Music Industry degree program prepares undergraduate students to become professionals in the music industry, working for or starting new record companies, music publishing companies, talent agencies, digital music services, music licensing intermediaries, artist management companies, music technology companies, and concert venues, among others. Students complete courses in music industry, music, music technology, English and communications, STEM, foreign language, and electives.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of the music publishing industry, including licensing, royalties, publishing agreements, and how a song catalog is commercially exploited.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of the recorded music industry, including how content is created, distributed, and marketed, and how recording agreements are structured.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of music copyright, including how it applies to musical works and sound recordings, copyright infringement, the length of copyright protection, and international treatment of music copyrights.