In the current music landscape, musicians increasingly need to consider themselves businesses. Understanding business concepts such as financial management, music licensing, marketing proposals, and law will help them grow their audiences and boost exposure. Choosing the right degree program will also provide access to venues and industry professionals. Look for courses with strong professional links and a student-run music label.
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Career Opportunities
A degree in music business can open doors to various careers. The responsibilities of many jobs vary, but all have some relationship to the business side of music. For example, a producer may ensure that an artist’s music is correctly recorded, mixed, and mastered. A booking agent will help musicians schedule concerts at venues and work with event promoters to ensure the show goes off without a hitch.
Similarly, a lawyer may specialize in contracts and other legal issues for the music industry. A talent manager can assist with career development and management for musicians. A publicist works with media outlets to increase the visibility of an artist. And a music supervisor can be found on movie sets or working on TV shows to select music for use in production.
A successful career in the music industry requires a strong desire to perform and a business mindset to navigate the industry’s ebbs and flows. Students should choose a program that offers access to internships, giving them a better idea of the day-to-day life of a music industry career. They should also consider the specific job they want to pursue, such as managing a band or becoming an audio engineer. It is important to remember that musicians no longer need millions of fans to make a living, thanks to streaming platforms and social media.
Coursework
Students in music business programs will study the ins and outs of how the industry works. They’ll gain a dense understanding of common business fundamentals like marketing, accounting, and PR. They’ll also learn how to manage the logistics of tour bookings, booking venues, and managing artists. Music business majors will become fluent in navigating the varying legal agreements within the music world that address issues related to intellectual property, royalties, and more.
Ultimately, music business majors will have the skills and resources to create their own music business. This may seem counterintuitive since many musicians dream of starting their label or creating their own concert production company. But creating your own business from scratch is a long process that requires years of hard work and networking before you can get to the level of success you want.
Often, the best route to success is taking a position at an established company and learning from those who’ve already made it. That’s why so many musicians begin their journey in a music business program rather than putting themselves through the difficult path of building their own company from the ground up.
Internships
There’s more to the music industry than the songwriters, musicians, and producers contributing to the creative process. A complex network of professionals keeps the wheels turning behind the scenes, ensuring artists get paid their royalties and their records get into stores and streaming services. These are the people a music business degree prepares students to work with. The program teaches them the business fundamentals of marketing, accounting, and management – skills often transferable across industries. Getting hands-on experience is also essential, which is why most programs offer internship opportunities. These give students real-life insights into the areas of the music industry they want to enter and a chance to build up a professional portfolio and connections that they can use later in their careers.
As with any internship, working and being a good employee is important. Make sure you show up on time, dress appropriately, and bring a resume and letter of recommendation to your interview. It’s also good to follow up with a polite phone call after the interview, even if it wasn’t what you hoped for. It shows you care and are eager to join their team. This is something that many employers will notice and appreciate.
Extracurricular Activities
A music business degree prepares students for various career paths, including publishing, licensing, management, touring, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Extracurriculars are important for college admissions, especially for highly specialized fields like music majors. Some colleges even weigh students’ extracurriculars more heavily than their grades for admissions purposes. This means that music majors must find extracurricular activities that showcase their love for and skill in music. Another way to get involved is by participating in a campus band or club. You can learn new skills and build relationships with your peers. You can also take on leadership positions, like section leader or president. This shows that you have the skills to manage a team, an important aspect of many music business careers.
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