The
Concentration in Music Business is designed
to provide students with a professional degree in
music that focuses on selected aspects of the arts
and entertainment industries. Regular music course
work is supplemented with music business classes, a
business administration minor, cognate courses in
the student’s individual area of professional
interest, practical field experience at area music
businesses and an internship. The degree provides
students with a wide variety of possible career
choices in the areas of performing arts (orchestra
administration), music business (retail,
distribution, manufacturing and publishing), and
music communications (publicity, public relations,
advertising, reporting, and writing educational
materials). Coursework for the degree program is
supplemented with required practical field
experience observations at area music industry
establishments. Participation in a two-month
internship at a business site commensurate with the
student’s interests is required upon completion of
all coursework.
What is Music Business?
Music Business is sometimes considered to be what goes on behind the
scenes whenever and wherever there is music. For instance, when you
consider a single musical performance, like a concert, often the
services of a promotion team, an agent, a manager, and stage crew
(including lights and sound) are needed before the first note of
music is even played. When you purchase a CD, that product
represents the work not only of the artist, but studio engineers,
producers, technicians, visual and graphic artists, photographers,
lawyers, marketing personnel, distributors, buyers - the list goes
on. Radford's Music Business curriculum gives you an ideal
background for a variety of positions. Although the term "music
business" may seem like an oxymoron, it does describe the "business
of music." The music industry is a growing, thriving "business"
which is in need of employees who understand BOTH sides of this
important field.
