In today's multi-billion dollar music business and entertainment industries, there are more record labels, distributors, retailers, publishers, arts organizations and product manufacturers actively promoting the sale and use of music than ever before. Consequently, a greater number of competent, highly-skilled executives will be needed to staff positions that meet the special demands of the industry. The Music Business and Entertainment Industries program prepares students for positions in all areas of the music business and entertainment industries, including the publishing, distribution and retailing of sheet music, music books and magazines; the production, distribution and sales of recorded music in all forms of disc and tape; the teaching of music in a variety of school/studio settings; the performance industry; the music instrument industry; promotion of commercial and noncommercial music; arts/music management, and much more.

Music Business and Entertainment Industries majors take courses in general academics, music, business, and communications. Guest speakers from the industry frequently join faculty specialists to provide instruction in current industry developments. Career-oriented projects are incorporated throughout the curriculum, enabling students to gain practical experience in a variety of professional situations. Students also may gain practical experience at 'Cane Records, a student-run record label that has all the components of a major record company, and learn more about the industry through the Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association (MEISA), which publishes a monthly newsletter and hosts special panels dealing with various aspects of the industry.

Students continue to study their principal instrument or voice, and perform in ensembles each semester. In the last year of the program, Frost School of Music students may focus on the record industry or arts management. All students earn a minor in business administration. Students also have the option of earning a second minor in the following areas in the School of Business: computer information systems, management, and marketing and finance.

Undergraduates may participate in an internship in a music firm during the final semester of their senior year. Cooperating firms include music publishers, record manufacturers and distributors, retail and wholesale music stores, and artist managers. Students not selecting the internship complete an additional semester of coursework to satisfy the requirements for graduation.


The Master's degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries accommodates graduate students who have an undergraduate degree in music or music industry. Graduate students study management, marketing, finance, music, and music industry. The legal aspects between composers, music publishers, record companies, producers, managers, performing rights organizations, and mechanical licensing agencies are explored. Recording artists' contracts and the financial arrangements involved are addressed extensively in conjunction with strategies for maximum profitability. Students also examine copyright law as it relates to the protection of intellectual property and industry ethics. An internship or thesis is required.

Bachelor of Music in Music Business and Entertainment Industry
ClassSemester
Instrument or Voice6
Instrument or Voice Forum6
Piano4
Music Theory and Laboratory4
Computers, Keyboards and Music1
Music History and Literature2
Music Analysis and Experience or 20th Century Techniques 1
Conducting2
Ensembles8
Introduction to Music Business and Entertainment 1
Music Publishing, Copyright, Distribution1
Internship in Music Industry*1
Introduction to Business Statistics1
Introduction to Business Law1
Quantitative Applications in Business1
Economic Principles and Problems2
Principles of Financial Accounting1
Managerial Accounting1
Marketing Foundations1
International Marketing1
Fundamentals of Finance1
Advertising and Presentation1
Artist Management and the Live Entertainment Industry 1
Record Industry Operations1
Grant Proposal Writing for the Arts1
International Marketing Elective1
English Composition1
Natural Science2
College Algebra**1

* Or a minimum of 3 hours of non-Business courses as approved by the advisor.

** May be exempt, based on math placement score



Requirements for those holding a B.M. degree in Music Industry:

For holders of an undergraduate degree in music other than in Music Business and Entertainment Industries, the student must remove the undergraduate deficiencies required for the Bachelor of Music in Music Business and Entertainment Industries in the Frost School of Music and the School of Business Administration.



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