The Business of Music
Collaborative Curriculum Development Project
Course outline was developed as part of a collaborative
curriculum development project involving business/marketing
and music educators:
Wendy Levinson, Monticello HS
Susan Huetter, Hunter-Tannersville HS
Tracy Farrell, Columbia HS
Susan Sardi, Averill Park HS
Laurie Schopp, VHI
Dr. Patricia Chiodo, NYS Music Association
Developed: January 2003
The Business of Music
Draft Outline
Outline
/Resources
A. Careers in the Music Industry- Agents
- Managers
- Booking Agents
- Attorneys
- Accountants
- Business Advisors
- Publicists
- Personal Manager
- Business Manager
- Road Manager
- Producers
- Artist and Repertoire
- Music Publisher
- Retail Music Salesperson
- Audio Engineer
- Sound Designer
- Songwriter
- Music Performer
Music Industry Careers Manual
By Lorne Hammond
Dashboard Entertainment
Starpolish-Helping Artists Help Themselves
Career Opportunities in the Music Industry By Shelly Field
- Past and Present Trends in the Music Industry
- Consumer Buying Factors
- Age
- Gender
- Geographic Location
- Ethnicity
- Rock
- Rap/Hip Hop
- Pop
- Country
- R and B
- Religious
- Jazz
- Classical
- Musical Theatre
- World Music
- Other
- Increasing/Decreasing Genres
- Physical Location of Sale
- Record Stores
- Other Retail Stores
- Clubs
- Internet
- On line CD Merchant
- Digital Streaming (copyright protected "free" music)
- DVD Audio Disks
- Free Sites (KaZaA, Morpheus)
- Other
- Technology of Manufacturing and Distribution
b. Eight Track Tapes
c. Cassette Tapes
d. CD’s
e. Digital Audio Tape (DAT)
f. DVD
- Growth Trends
- Piracy/Counterfeiting
- MP3
- CD Burners
- Changing Demographics
- Changing Economic Conditions
- Strategies to Overcome Inhibiting Factors
- Effects of Technology
b. MP3 Files
- CD Burners
- Audio Streaming
- CD Kiosks
- Limitations and Uses of Technology
Recent Magazine Articles
Music Biz Academy
Billboard Magazine
Electronic Musician
the Music Biz
The Music Business Journal
American Music Conference
The International Music Products Association
- Legal Aspects of the Music Industry
- Contracts between Artists and the Industry
- Contract Components
- Contracts with Minors
- Copyright Laws
- Definitions and Terms of Use
- Copyright Infringement
- Ethical Behavior
- Fair Use
- Public Performance of Copyrighted Material
- Piracy
- Trademarks
- Parental Advisory Warnings
- Music in the Public Domain
- Licensing Organizations
- American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP)
- Broadcast Music Industry (BMI)
Law Free Advice
Recording Industry of America
Music Publishers Association
Society of European Stage Authors and Composers
- Economics of the Music Industry
- Supply: Producing Goods and Services
3.Product Pricing and Competition
4. Cost of Music Production
a. Royalties of Artist
b. Range of Royalties
- Costs of Packaging
- Effect of “Free Goods”
- Recording Costs
a. The Mathematics of Royalties
b. Royalties of Songwriter
c. Recording Costs
d. Marketing and Promotion Costs
5. Music Production
a. Role of the Music Producer
b. Compensation of the Music Producer
c. Costs of Music Production
6. Music Publishing
a. Functions of Music Publisher
b. Compensation of Publisher
c. Sources of Materials
d. Publishing Contracts
7. Impact of Music on Retail Industries
- Clothing
- Food
- Other
E. Marketing in the Music Industry
1.The Marketing Mix
- Product
- Price
d. Promotion
- Marketing Strategies
b. Relationship Between TV
Channel and Artist/
Management
c. Role of Music Television (MTV, VH1, CMT, BET, The Box)
d. Long Form Videocassettes and
Video Discs
e. Marketing of DVD Format
f. Production Costs and
Recoupment
g. Corporate Sponsorship
3. Public Relations
- Media
- Benefit Performances
- Endorsements
4. Advertising
a. Posters and Store Display
b. Art for CD Box
c. Artist's Websites
5. Radio Play
6. Tour Performances
a. Advertising
b. Promotions
c. Merchandising
d. Tickets
e. Equipment
f. Security and crowd safety
g. Insurance
h. Permits
i. Transportation
j. Facilities and Venue Cost
Strategies to Increase Market Share
- Bonus Packaging (DVD, live performances, music videos)
Be a Music Mogul Contest
F. Being an Entrepreneur
1.Types of Business Ownership/Organization
a. Sole Proprietorship
b. Partnership
c. Corporation
d. Limited Liability Company
2.Advantages and Disadvantages
3. Entrepreneurial Aspects
a. Press Kit
b. Business Cards
c. Promotional Materials
d. Website
e. Networking
f. Personal Development
g. Choosing and Promoting Image
h. Securing a Professional Team
i.e. attorney, accountant, manager,
publicist
4. Computer Applications for the
Entrepreneur
a. Word Processing
b. Database Management
c. Spreadsheet Use
d. Powerpoint Presentations
e. Draw/Paint Programs
f. Webpage Design
g. Specialized Music Technology
for Recording, Editing and Notating
Music
5. Basic Accounting Functions
a. Keeping Accurate Records
b. Taxation of Earnings
c. Deferred Compensation
d. Typical Expenses
e. Payroll
f. Inventory Management
g. Financial Projections and Planning
h. Financial Statements
6. Business Music
a. Commercial Jingles
- Industrial Shows
- Corporate Videos
- Music for Websites
- Music for Computer Games
- Commercials, Cartoons
- Motion Pictures
- Features of the Plan
- Introduction to the Business
- Description of the Industry
- Market Analysis
- Operations
- Marketing
- Financial Plan
- Uses of the Plan
Textbooks Used to Develop the Course (Not Necessarily Suitable for Students)
This Business of Music, the Definitive Guide to the Music Industry
By M. William Krasilovsky and Sidney Shemel
8th edition
Billboard Books, an Imprint of Watson Guptill Publications
All You Need to Know About the Music Business
By Donald Passman
Simon and Schuster
Music Business Handbook and Career Guide
By David Baskerville
7th Edition
Sage Publications
Other Textbooks and Resources for Review
Music Business Made SimpleA Music Business PrimerMaking Music Your Business
By Diane Sward RapaportBy J.S. RudsenskeBy David Ellefson
Billboard Magazine