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Industry Specializations:

Music Business

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Master of Arts in

Music Industry

Guided by the mission and purposes of the Master of Music in Composition program, the curriculum will adhere to the following five Program Learning Outcomes.

  1. Proficiency in Music for Media Composition: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of musical structure and harmonic language by composing original music that displays advanced expertise in musical form and function, stylistic versatility and orchestration techniques.
  2. Critical Thinking in Music: Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and solve problems that are characteristic in the study of music.
  3. Professional Creative Practices: Students will be able to demonstrate advanced competency in the professional knowledge and practice of arranging, music directing, recording studio techniques and computer technology.
  4. Professional Business Practices: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in music industry business practices including marketing and promotion, characteristics of performance contracts and publishing, and entrepreneurship.
  5. Pedagogy: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competency in teaching in applied lesson and classroom formats including course development, lecture preparation and presentation, grading practices and student relationships.

Audition Portfolio for Music Industry Specialization:

Applicants to the Music Business program are required to submit:

  1. A 300-500 word essay describing the origins of your interest in the music industry, as well as any background experiences that are relevant to the field. Please include a specific description of your experience in music, either in the creative or business aspects. Include both if relevant.
  2. A 500-800 word essay responding to one of the following prompts:
    • The music industry is constantly changing. Please describe your assessment of the current state of the music industry, the anticipated trends that might set the tone for the next change in the music industry, and any specific challenges you believe will need to be navigated and addressed in the next 3-5 years. Please provide research-based assessments and cite all sources.
    • In the role of artist manager, what do you feel are the most essential aspects needed in order to insure success for an independent songwriter and/ or artist in today’s current music industry? Please provide research-based assessments and cite all sources.
  2. Please submit a video performance that establishes competency on a primary instrument(s). Guitar or piano preferred, but alternate instruments including vocals will be permitted.

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