Factors to Consider When Selecting a Music Business School
Higher Education Articles April 22, 2015Those interested working in the music industry as concert promoters, record company executives, or staff publicists might want to look into interdisciplinary education in music and business. Since it is a hard field to get into, students should look into music business schools that build their resumes through extracurricular activities and internships while pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree.
Selecting a Music Business School
Music business majors may seek admittance to master’s or bachelor’s degree programs in accordance with their career objectives. In this article, we take a look at some important factors to consider when you select a music business school:
Hands-on Experience
Students can gain experience in the music industry via internships. The most abundant and best opportunities are available at schools located in areas renowned for music industry connections, such as Nashville, Los Angeles, or New York City, in addition to Atlanta and other potential new markets.
Demonstrable experience is a great way to pave the way to an entry-level career in the music industry. A music business school with a student-run record company could prove a good choice. Participation in such extracurricular projects can help students develop their skills in image development, marketing, publicity, and product and artist management while enjoying the opportunity to work with independent musicians.
Student Organizations
Seeking a school with a chapter of the Music & Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA) would also prove beneficial to aspiring music business professionals. Enrolling in such a school would include pursuit of scholarship opportunities and attendance of regional and national music industry conferences.
Students may also form student–mentor relationships, which may connect them with prospective employers via networking activities with members of the parent organization of MEISA; namely, the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association.
Degree Overview: Music Business Degrees
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Programs in Music Business
Bachelor’s program candidates also often choose a specialization; preferred choices include music publishing, concert management, and music and media. The business aspect of coursework features the study of subject areas such as music operations, statistics, and accounting. The education of undergraduate music business majors typically begins with basic courses in topic areas such as:
•Keyboard improvisation
•Music technology
•Ear training
•Music history and theory
•Content development
Master of Music (M.M.) Programs in Music Business
More advanced issues in entertainment ethics, entrepreneurship, music and law, and artist management are available to master’s level students. The curriculum features:
•Financial reporting
•Organizational leadership
•Management
A music business internship or thesis is typically completed by graduate students.
