Everyone loves good music and good music is orchestrated by those who major in the music business. However, the fact remains that most people in the music industry don’t just make their money by playing. So, we have made a comprehensive list of The Top 15 Best Music Business Schools in the US that educates people who want to venture into the music business.
Some individuals who venture into the music industry get lucky and become superstars but, not everyone gets such luck. The music industry is more like a business that people might have no idea about. Apart from the fact that Music business schools will expose you to connections with other successful people in the industry, it will grant you access to the necessary tools and ideas needed to be successful in the industry.
Furthermore, in this article, you will be enlightened on the music business and music business majors, and the Top 15 Best Music Business Schools in the US. In other to get all the details, it is advised you read through.
Also, Read Berklee College of Music Acceptance Rate And How To Get In Easily.
What Is Music Business?
Music Business means any business, in part or whole, involving; the recording, development, pressing, manufacturing, marketing, production, promotion, merchandising, distribution, and/or other exploitation of musical recordings in any media or medium now known. Also, the licensing, publishing, administration, merchandising, and/or other exploitation of musical compositions in any media or medium now known
The music business is also the production, development, promotion, merchandising exhibition, and/or other exploitation of live musical performances in any media or medium now known.
What is Music Business Degree?
The music industry ranges from publishing and performing, to administration, management, engineering, and digital marketing. Also, a specialized music business major focuses on readying students to be entrepreneurs. This means most offerings will comprise business planning, financial management, and relevant law modules.
Moreover, most music business master’s degrees and music business degrees enable you to tailor your modules to areas of interest for your career. All of them, however, focus on the suitability of being an artist. In addition, how to tackle lots of challenges you might face.
Popular modules on music industry degrees include for example music publishing and copyright legislation, sound design, digital marketing, record label management, branding, and festival management.
In addition, if you do consider a music business major, it’s worth researching which professors are teaching at the universities on your shortlist. Music industry courses are mostly about networking.
Below are the top 10 Careers in the Music Business
- Music Producer.
- Recording Engineer.
- Artist Manager.
- Tour Manager.
- Booking Agent.
- Music Publicist.
- Composer.
- Music Arranger
Also Read: The Top 15 Best Music Production & Audio Engineering Schools
The Top 15 Best Music Business Schools in the US
#1. NYU Tisch Clive Davis School of Music (New York, NY)
The Clive Davis School of Recorded Music at NYU Tisch is the 1st in our list of best music schools in the US and has a reputation as being an innovator in the field.
Also, as the home of the first school to give artistic and professional training to future industry professionals, Clive Davis has been fostering the intellectual, creative, and business skills required to make an impact in the field.
More than just students, the school calls its learners “entrepreneurs.” As such, they choose their specialties, such as songwriting or performance, so they can be among the best in the field while improving their craft.
#2. University of Southern California Thornton School of Music (Los Angeles, CA)
the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California is the second on our list of best music business schools in the US. To be successful in a rapidly developing industry, graduates need to be fundamental thinkers who take an analytical approach to the field.
The music industry program provides students just that training, thanks to its relations to the business’s Los Angeles roots. Also, students get educated in the classroom under a faculty comprising of industry professionals.
These teachers include a former artist known as Bobby Borg who has experience working with major labels, DIY recording, and even independent labels.
#3. Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business (Nashville, TN)
Located in the heart of Music City US, the Mike Curb College of Music Business and Entertainment in Nashville’s Belmont University takes its graduates directly into the industry.
The success of the music business major can be credited to the school’s faculty. A combination of industry professionals and academic scholars, the faculty not only educates students on the theory and practice of management, publishing, and booking but also grants students connection with current leaders in the field through seminars and guest lectures.
The discipline offers students four areas of emphasis, including legal studies, international music business, music production, and live event management. Each of these programs deals with the difficult issues of our time, such as the logistics of music festivals and the effect of music streaming services.
#4. University of Miami Frost School of Music (Coral Gables, FL)
At the center of the business studies at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music is the Entrepreneurship program and Modern Artist Development.
The school puts the student first, letting them pick their preferred areas of interest. As the designers of their education, they become experts in the writing, performing, and arranging of music while attaining the skills needed to manage copyrights, market music, and negotiate business licenses.
Also, for those who have interests only in the business side of things, the Frost School offers the Music Industry program. Through the program, students become experts in the day-to-day functioning of the roles played by publishers and distributors, record labels, and the effects of digital music services.
#5. Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)
The properly titled music industry program at Syracuse University equips musicians with the legal, creative, practical, and theoretical knowledge they need to succeed in the music business.
The four-year program teaches students the coursework that enables them to participate in and analyze industry trends. Also, students attain an understanding of music organizations and their contributions to the issues facing the business.
While completing their work, you still have multiple chances to perform including in the school. In addition to impressive internship alternatives, students may also attain a double degree by applying to Syracuse’s Whitman School of Management to attain an MBA.
Also Read: The Top 15 Best Dance Schools in New York City
#6. Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)
Anyone interested in good music programs already knows about the Berklee College of Music. The conservatory has attained its reputation as one of the country’s best training grounds for outstanding musicians.
The school applies that same commitment of quality to its management degree and music business. With three tracks available to students; music products, self-directed or entrepreneurial activity, or management in corporate environments.
Students go to lectures from industry professionals throughout and examine case studies of initiatives that failed or succeeded.
#7. Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN)
Located in Murfreesboro, only about 45 minutes away from Nashville, Middle Tennessee State University provides a music business program unlike any found in a school of the same size.
With a faculty filled with state-of-the-art resources or industry experts and connections, MTSU readies students for success in the music business.
A current example of this success can be seen in alumni like Chambers. He has been nominated for a Grammy award, due to his work producing the song “SICKO MODE” by rapper Travis Scott.
#8. CSU Northridge (Northridge, CA)
The music industry studies program at California State University Northridge has over 30 years of training the very best in the business.
The commitment to the finest candidates can be seen in the quality of classes you take. Instead of focusing entirely on industry-only and business courses, students in the music industry studies program also take traditional music courses and also perform in ensembles. Hence, students must first pass an audition to gain entrance into the program.
#9. University of Colorado at Denver (Denver, CO)
There are many ways to evaluate the quality of a music program. But if Billboard Magazine, the major publication of the recording industry, calls you an elite school that helps shape the future of the music industry, then everyone needs to take notice.
The University of Colorado Denver receives high praise for programs like its forward-thinking music business degree. In this program, students get ready to succeed in all aspects of the modern music industry, including entertainment law, management, and marketing.
Within the program, students take classes in areas such as audio engineering, publishing, musicianship, concert management, and more. They leave the school prepared to work in established streams and to start their creative trends.
#10. Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)
The music program at Florida State University offers almost everything you could think of, from commercial music to jazz, and classical to musical theater.
With this mixture of disciplines available, FSU ensures that all students will get comprehensive training in the field, getting a sense of everything alongside their emphasis.
In the commercial music program, students not only acquire the training one would need from a standard music degree but also courses from the College of Business. Also, the program prepares students for everything they need to know about the commercial aspects of the modern music industry, including entrepreneurship and film scoring.
Also Read: Best Music Schools in The Us
#11. LACM (Los Angeles College of Music)
Los Angeles College of Music, formally known as LAMA College for Music Professionals. It appears 11th on our list of best of best music business schools in the US. Also, it’s a private for-profit music college in Pasadena, in Los Angeles, California. Accredited by the National Association of Schools since the year 2003. Over 1000 students have graduated from the school, and about half of them are from outside the US.
#12. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas (UNT) appears third on our list of best music business schools. It is a public research university in Denton, Texas. Until the year 1988, it was known as North Texas State University. It comprises 14 colleges and schools, an early admissions math and science academy, for exceptional high-school-age pupils from across the state. The Texas Academy of Science and Mathematics, and a library system that includes the university core. The university is classified among Very high research activity. According to the National Science Foundation, UNT spent about $78.4 million on research and development in the year 2019.
#13. Brenau University
The 13th on our list is Brenau University. It is a private university with a historic campus in Gainesville, Georgia. Founded in the year 1878, the university admits over 2,800 students from about 48 states and 17 foreign countries who want to attain degrees ranging from associate through doctoral degrees. The major campus of the Georgia-based institution includes the Brenau Women’s College.
#14. Northwestern University
Northwestern University is the 14th on our list of best music business schools in the US. It is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in the year 1851, Northwestern is ranked among the most renowned academic institutions in the world and is the oldest chartered university in Illinois.
#15. Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is a private university affiliated with Churches of Christ. It is the last on our list of best music business schools in the US. Founded by entrepreneur George Pepperdine in South Los Angeles in the year 1937, the school expanded to Malibu in 1972. Courses are now taught at the four graduate campuses in Southern California, the main Malibu campus, a center in Washington DC, and international campuses in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Heidelberg, Germany; London, United Kingdom; Florence, Italy; and Lausanne, Switzerland.
Also Read: MP3PAW – Download Free MP3 Music – mp3paw.com Complete Guide
Conclusion
After going through this article and a list of our top 15 best music business schools in the US, we are sure you have found at least one reason to pick one of the schools. The music business is a good career prospect but not all who venture into the music business are very wealthy mostly because they didn’t get the right teacher, education, or mentor they needed. Applying to one of these schools is a great choice to make.
FAQs on Best Music Business Schools in the US
Music Business degrees can absolutely be worth your while as a progressing musician. The right degree choice might just transform your career. The practical skills in financial management, music licensing, law, marketing proposals, sound tech, and production will make you a better musician.
A Bachelor in Music Business encompasses the many facets of the music industry. Those who enroll in these courses learn a wide variety of subjects related to music and business, such as marketing, management, budgeting, legal issues, and digital media.
The music business major focuses on business fundamentals and music techniques. More often than not, course work includes music promotion, concert marketing, business management, and record label development.
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it.
Those who see new opportunities in the music industry and who seek to fulfill a need in the market can be considered music industry entrepreneurs.
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