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

General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 106First-Year Writing II3
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 113Finite Mathematics3
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts & Humanities Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate9
Experiential Music Curriculum Core Courses 1
MIN 14Music Industry Forum8
MXX XX1 (Level 1)Principal Instrument Lesson & Studio Class (semesters 1-4, 2 credit hours)8
MXX XX3 (Level 3)Principal Instrument Lesson & Studio Class (semesters 5-6, 2 credit hours)4
MTC 140Experiential Musicianship I3
or MSJ 140 Experiential Musicianship I
or MDE 140 Experiential Musicianship I
MTC 141Experiential Musicianship II3
or MSJ 141 Experiential Musicianship II
or MDE 141 Experiential Musicianship II
MTC 240Experiential Musicianship III3
or MSJ 240 Experiential Musicianship III
or MDE 240 Experiential Musicianship III
MTC 241Experiential Musicianship IV3
or MSJ 241 Experiential Musicianship IV
or MDE 241 Experiential Musicianship IV
MKP 140Keyboard Studies I (or MSJ 103 if enrolled in MSJ theory)1
MKP 141Keyboard Studies II (or MSJ 104 if enrolled in MSJ theory)1
MTC 107Skills Lab I (co-requisite MTC 140/MSJ 140/MDE 140)1
or MSJ 107 Skills Lab I
or MDE 107 Skills Lab I
MTC 108Skills Lab II (co-requisite MTC 141/MSJ 141/MDE 141)1
or MSJ 108 Skills Lab II
or MDE 108 Skills Lab II
MTC 207Skills Lab III (co-requisite MTC 240/MSJ 240/MDE 240)1
or MSJ 207 Skills Lab III
or MDE 207 Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions
MTC 208Skills Lab IV (co-requisite MTC 241/MSJ 241/MDE 241)1
or MSJ 208 Skills Lab IV
or MDE 208 Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions
MCY 140Experiencing Music3
MCY 141European Musical Traditions (AWC)3
MIN 173Introduction to the Music Industry3
MSP 250Essential Technologies for Musicians3
Ensembles (6 semesters of 1 credit hour) *6
Courses in the MIND Major
MCY/MTC 300+Musicology or Music Theory 300+ elective 3
MIN 274Introduction to Music Copyright Law3
MIN 378Music Industry Agreements3
MIN 420Music Industry Capstone Project (AWC)3
MIN 455Music Industry Internship3
MIN 537Recorded Music Operations3
MIN 573Music Publishing3
MIN Elective3
Select one of the following 3 AWC courses:3
Advanced Professional Communication (AWC)
Business Communication (AWC)
Legal Writing (AWC)
Additional Requirements
Minor or Electives18
UMX 100The University of Miami Experience0
Total Credit Hours128
1

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

*

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
MTC 140, MSJ 140,
Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
3
MTC 107, MSJ 107,
Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
1
MCY 140 Experiencing Music 3
MKP 140 or MSJ 103 Keyboard Studies I
or Jazz Piano I
1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
UMX 100 The University of Miami Experience 0
Ensemble 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
MCY 141 European Musical Traditions (AWC) 3
MTC 141, MSJ 141,
Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
3
MTC 108, MSJ 108,
Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
1
MKP 141 or MSJ 104 Keyboard Studies II
or Jazz Piano II
1
MIN 173 Introduction to the Music Industry 3
WRS 106 or ENG 106 First-Year Writing II
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
Ensemble 1
 Credit Hours18
Year Two
Fall
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
MTC 240, MSJ 240,
Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
3
MTC 207, MSJ 207,
Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions
1
MIN 274 Introduction to Music Copyright Law 3
MTH 113 Finite Mathematics 3
Minor Course or Elective 3
Ensemble 1
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
MTC 241, MSJ 241,
Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
3
MTC 208, MSJ 208,
Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions
1
MSP 250 Essential Technologies for Musicians 3
MIN 573 Music Publishing 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Ensemble 1
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
MIN 378 Music Industry Agreements 3
MTC or MCY Elective 300 level or higher 3
People and Society Cognate 3
STEM Cognate 3
Ensemble 1
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
MIN 537 Recorded Music Operations 3
WRS 230, 331,
Advanced Professional Communication
or Legal Writing
or Business Communication
3
Minor Course or Elective 3
Ensemble 1
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Four
Fall
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
MIN XXX Elective 3
MIN 455 Music Industry Internship 3
Minor Course or Elective 3
People and Society Cognate 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MIN 14 Music Industry Forum 1
MIN 420 Music Industry Capstone Project 3
MIN XXX Elective 3
Minor Course or Elective 3
Minor Course or Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours128

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 their Advanced Writing and Communications (AWS) skills in preparing an Artist Case Study which demonstrates their knowledge of music publishing, recorded music, and music copyright.