Mus 191 Syllabus Fall 2013

Department of Music

Syllabus for MUS 191

Introduction of Music Industry II

Credit Hours: 2

Fall 2013

Professor April Brumfield

Office: Foster 304A, phone: 622-3266

Email:

Classroom:Foster 310

Class Hours:TR 811am-12:15pm

Office Hours:WF 9-11am and 1-3pm or by appointment M-F

Required Text: “Music Business Handbook”, 10th Edition by David Baskerville. We will also utilize online articles and reserve articles in the Music Library.

Course Objective: To continue the overview of various careers in the Music Industry with a more in-depth look and understanding of careers in Concert Production and the Recording Industry.

Student Assessment:

  • Class Attendance and Participation: 25% - Attendance is mandatory. Three unexcused absences result in a failing grade a reduction of the final grade by one whole letter grade.
  • Assignments and Projects: 25%
  • Mid-Term Exam: 25%
  • Final: 25%
  • 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70=C, etc.
  • Student Progress: The instructor will provide students with information on their progress in the course at least once prior to midterm.
  • The last day to drop the course or to withdraw from the University is listed in the Colonel Compass.

Learning Objectives :

  • Direct preparation for MUS 290
  • We will also directly apply what we have learned in the classroom to practical experience working on various events, as well as hosting visiting artists, guest lecturers and giving orientation presentations, practicing songwriting, music in TV and film.
  • This class will also better prepare you for working with labels and marketplace research.

Disabilities Statement:

A student with a “disability” may be an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as learning, seeing or hearing. Additionally, pregnancy or a related medical condition that causes a similar substantial limitation may also be considered a disability under the ADA.

If you are registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities, please obtain your accommodation letters from the OSID and present them to the course instructor to discuss any academic accommodations you need. If you believe you need accommodation and are not registered with the OSID, please contact the Office in the Whitlock Bldg room 361 by email at or by telephone at 859.622.2833. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in an alternative format.

Academic Integrity:

Students are advised that EKU’s Academic Integrity policy will strictly be enforced in this course. The Academic Integrity policy is available at Questions regarding the policy may be directed to the Office of Academic Integrity.

Email Policy:

An official EKU email is established for each registered student, each faculty member, and each staff member. All university communications sent via email will be sent to this EKU email address.

Course Outline:

The following is only a projected outline of class activity. All assignments are subject to change due to class progression, speaker availability or other factors. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out the assignment.

  • Chapter 8—“Agents, Manager and Attorneys”

Homework: Questions 1-11

Quiz

  • Chapter 9—“Artist Management”

Homework: Questions 1-12

◦Management contracts Read the article about sunset clauses, the amount of commission paid to a manager over the years after a split with a client, should such an event take place.

Download and analyze a sample management contract. What clauses favor the manager? the artist? Would you sign this contract as is? If not, what would you change?

  • Chapter 11—“Artists’ Recording Contracts”

Homework: Questions 1-21

Net Profit Deals: Read this article comparing regular record deals, net royalty deals and 360 deals. Which is better for the artist? Why? Does it matter if the artist tours or not?

  • Chapter 12—“Record Production”

Homework: Questions 1-16

Budget a recording Go to the AFM website and download the Low Budget Side Letter to the AFM Sound Recording Labor Agreement. Fill out the Estimate Form. Use that information to fill out the Recording Budget in Table 12.3. How much would it cost to record your favorite song? How many musicians? How many hours?

  • Chapter 13—“Record Labels”

Homework: Questions 1-9

Major, Indie, or Specialty Label?

So you want to be a rock and roll star? Investigate the websites of the major labels. Which artists have they signed? Now check out the websites of independent and specialty labels. Which artists have they signed? Where would you fit in the best? Why?

  • Chapter 14—“Record Label Promotion & distribuion”

Homework: Questions 1-14

Disc Makers You’ve budgeted and recorded an album. How much will it cost to press CDs? Go to Disc Makers and find out. p.s. Don’t forget artwork costs.

  • Chapter 15—“Marketplace Research”

Billboard Go to Billboard’s website and find the Hot 100. Who is in the #1 chart position? Who has been on the charts the longest? Who had the biggest jump or fall from last week? Go to Billboard’s website next week and check out the changes.

Mid Terms

Fall Break October 14-15

  • Chapter 16—“Concert Production”

Homework: Questions 1-14

◦Find a Venue Go to Pollstar and type in your city. Who are the venues in town? How many events do they have booked? When? Who is selling tickets? How much are they? Ask these questions from the point of view of the manager of a touring act. Which venue would be best for your act? When?

Budget a Show Once you find a venue, use Table 16.2 to calculate a budget. Be sure to determine the split-point.

  • Chapter 17—“Concert Venues”
  • Venue information Go to the IAVM website and find the Venue Locator. Zero in on likely venues for your tour. What info can you find? Who manages the facility? Do they allow liquor? How about in-house security?

Band merchandise

Explore some sites that offer promotional merchandise for bands. Report to the class which supplier you think offers the best deal on T shirts. Explain the terms, and why you think it would be the company to use for a band looking to sell merchandise at their shows.

Thanksgiving Holiday, no class Nov 28

  • Chapter 21 “Dramatic Scoring for TV, Movies and Games

  • Look up Fred Karlin, the author of three books about film scoring on IMDB. Which movies and TV shows did he score? How many of them have you seen? What’s your favorite?
  • Pro Advice for Film Composers

    What are the three types of music used in films? Where do you need to live to make contacts? What does a music supervisor do in a film?

Final Exam Dec 10, 10:30-12:30am