A
music business degree prepares students to work in a variety of
fields within the music and entertainment industry, and offers a
balance of business strategy, communications, and specialized
talent. Those who complete their music business education
successfully may find employers in larger cities and markets such as
Los Angeles,
Chicago, Nashville, and New York. Many record label companies, radio
stations, marketing and public relations firms, and concert venues
are looking for qualified professionals within this field, and music
business management allows students to gain the knowledge and skills
to become successful in their career.
Job Description
and Responsibilities with a Business Degree in Music
The
entertainment and music business is a diverse and very fast paced
industry. Music business management offers students a chance to
travel and communicate with a variety of professionals in the media
and music industry, and they are often involved in organizing
events, promotions, and other multimedia projects. General
responsibilities for those with a business college degree in music
include:
-
Understanding
music copyright law
-
Working with
teams of professionals around the country
-
Networking
with clubs and concert promoters
-
Acting as a
manager or publicist for a specific group or individual
-
Working with
radio, television, and Internet multimedia firms
-
Applying at
music industry contracts and understanding entertainment Law
-
Handling or
managing financial affairs of musicians, entrepreneurs, and
entertainers
-
Supervising
teams of music professionals or producers
-
Serving as a
relations manager or representative
Skills Needed
for a Successful Music Business Career
A business
college degree in music allows students to develop specific talents
and skills, with a balance of music business management and
technical training. Skills needed for a successful music business
career include:
-
Exceptional
communication skills
-
Ability to
work in both the public and private sector
-
Strong
problem-solving ability
-
Ability to
travel
-
Negotiation
and persuasion skills
-
Sales and
marketing within the specialized industry
-
Aggressiveness, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced industry
Career Options
with a Music Business Degree
A variety of career options are available for those who pursue a
music business degree. Music business school can provide the basic
training needed to manage and lead groups, teach, and produce and
market music independently. A music business degree can offer
attractive employment opportunities in the areas of publicity,
record label management, personal managers, concert promotion,
radio, media relations, and even music publishing.
Music publishing is becoming a growing industry with the increases
in online multimedia opportunities. In addition to record label
management, an individual with a music business degree can work
independently to create, develop, and promote their own music. A
business college degree in music can provide the foundational
knowledge to make this a successful entrepreneurial endeavor.
Professionals
with a Business Degree in Music
A business degree in music allows graduates to explore professional
positions such as:
-
Personal Manager
-
Booking Agent
-
Concert Promoter
-
Independent Radio Promoter
-
Music Business Entrepreneur
-
Retail Sales Management
-
Entertainment Attorney
-
Business Manager
-
Music Supervisor
-
Music Business Consultant
-
Record Label Administrator
-
Publicist
-
Promotional Staffer
-
Marketing Representative
-
Music Publisher
-
Road Manager or Tour Publicist
Music Business
Education Opportunities
Students today can
enroll in a formal music business school to obtain basic training,
but completing music business courses online is also another option
for developing marketable skills. Many accredited music business
schools offer online training programs that combine both music
business management and principles with technical training. This
format is very attractive for students who may not have access to a
campus, and still provides a strong foundation for a successful
music business career.
Music business schools
that offer specialized courses of study can offer both hands on
training, technical press is using today's leading equipment, and
offer general business courses for a well-rounded music business
education.
Gaining practical experience both in and outside of the class is
vital for long-term success, and is often a component of each music
business major.
Completing Music
Business Courses Online
A music business
education completed in an online format offers both flexibility and
specialized study. Completing music business courses online is a
valuable opportunity for those who are already working within the
industry and require a flexible schedule. Many of the courses are
more specialized in online formats, such as e-business, data
management, music publishing, and business communications. A large
portion of studies with a music business degree is technical
application, and these skills can be obtained by pursuing music
business courses online. Common online music business courses may
include:
-
Introduction to
music business
-
Inside the record
industry
-
Introduction to
music publishing
-
Music industry
entrepreneurship
-
Web design for
musicians
Many of these music
business courses online can serve as a supplement to a basic
business college degree music or related field.
Music Business
Degree Requirements and Training
Students
interested in pursuing music business degree will need to have
graduated from high school or obtained or GED. The most common music
business degree programs are part of either a bachelor of science,
interdisciplinary program, or a business school. Music business
schools that only offer industry related programs off her more
specialized formats of study. Students interested in management
within the field may choose to pursue a master of science or arts
further in their
educational
career.
Common courses
of study for students who declare the music business major include:
-
Taxation in
the music business
-
Business
communications
-
Music in the
international marketplace
-
Music
technology
-
Creative
promotion through media
-
Legal aspects
of the music industry
-
Principles of
this is management
-
Concerts and
tour promotion
-
Data
management and statistics
-
Website
development for business
In addition to
completing music business courses, students may be required to
complete an internship in music business management. An internship
can provide valuable work experience for any music business career,
and increase the chances of job placement immediately after
graduation from a music business school.
Employment
Prospects and Outlook with a Music Business Career
Job opportunities for those who pursue a music business career look
promising, and the increase of music, videos, and multimedia
channels is rapidly growing around the world. Music business
management allows graduates to enjoy flexible career opportunities,
and those with key contacts with the media will have the most
success in the long term. Networking and managing relationships
plays a significant role for a successful career in music business
management, and this is an ongoing process. Many producers are
essentially entrepreneurs, and responsible for overseeing the
business and financial decisions of various music productions,
concerts, and television productions.
Median annual screenings of salaried producers and directors were
$52,840 in May 2004. Salaries range considerably for publicists,
toward operators, concert managers, and marketing executives.
Related occupations include:
-
Show Announcers
-
Sets and Exhibit Designers
-
Theatrical Managers
-
Radio Advertising Executives
-
Communication Specialists within the Music Industry
-
DJs
-
Restaurant or Club Managers
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