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What college should I apply to for music business major?

What colleges should I apply to if I want to major in music business/management? Berklee Boston and The Hartt are already on my mind but I'm still looking for more options.

business college college-admissions management music entrepreneur business-management music-industry music-production musician
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Will’s Answer

Hey Charlie, both of those schools are great options when looking into music business/management. I currently am a senior at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, USA studying in their music business program, and can highly recommend it. If you have any questions about the program itself and/or how it compares to other music business programs, feel free to respond and we can communicate further.
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Alexander’s Answer

Hello! I did a masters in Music Business at Berklee - it was very informative & met some great folks. But from my experience, when was interviewing for jobs in the industry, no one ever asked about my education! They were more interested in my real-world experience.

Definitely not saying to not pursue the college route, but as a compliment to your education, would strongly suggest getting some real-world experience which is not as hard as it may sound.

Intern at a radio station
Sell merch, book shows, run social media for a local band
Intern w/a promoter at a local venue

Lots of options and as you'll find out, everyone is looking for help :) Best of luck!
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hey Charlie!

If you're thinking about studying music business or music management, you're in luck! There are a bunch of top-notch colleges and universities with fantastic programs. Sure, Berklee College of Music in Boston and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford are popular picks, but there are plenty of other great schools to think about. Check out these options:

1. New York University (NYU) - Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music: This program at NYU is super respected and blends the artistic and business sides of the music world. Students can use top-notch recording studios and learn from real industry pros. The focus here is on entrepreneurship with classes in artist management, music production, marketing, and more.

2. University of Southern California (USC) - Thornton School of Music: USC's Thornton School of Music offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Music Industry program. You'll learn about everything from artist management to concert promotion, music publishing, and intellectual property law. Plus, being in Los Angeles means lots of chances for internships and networking.

3. Belmont University - Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business: Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University's Mike Curb College is famous for its music business program. They offer a range of majors like music business, audio engineering technology, songwriting, and entertainment industry studies. Plus, they have great connections to the Nashville music scene and internships at big record labels, publishing companies, and artist management firms.

4. Drexel University - Westphal College of Media Arts & Design: Drexel's Westphal College offers a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry program that blends music business, technology, and entrepreneurship. You'll get real-world experience through co-op opportunities with industry partners like record labels, music venues, and artist management companies. They also focus on the link between technology and music, getting you ready for the digital future of the industry.

5. University of Miami - Frost School of Music: The University of Miami's Frost School of Music offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Business and Entertainment Industries program. You'll learn about everything from artist management to marketing, copyright law, and music publishing. Plus, you'll have the chance to intern and network in Miami's lively music scene.

6. Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) - College of Media and Entertainment: MTSU's College of Media and Entertainment has a highly respected music business program that focuses on practical skills and industry connections. You can pick from concentrations like artist management, audio production, music marketing, and songwriting. They have strong ties to Nashville's music industry and offer loads of internship opportunities.

These are just some of the colleges and universities with top-rated music business or music management programs. Make sure you do your homework on each school to find the best fit for your academic and career goals. Look at things like the curriculum, the expertise of the faculty, internship opportunities, success stories from alumni, and the location.

Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:

1. The Princeton Review - www.princetonreview.com
2. College Board - www.collegeboard.org
3. US News & World Report - www.usnews.com
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Alexis’s Answer

Having studied Music Business in college, the most valuable guidance I received was to choose a college situated in a city where major record labels have their offices. This strategic choice will simplify your process of securing internships or applying for jobs in the industry.
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Patrick’s Answer

Hey Charlie, I did not go there personally, but I know Belmont University in Nashville has a great program: https://www.belmont.edu/curb/undergrad/music-business/index.html

Being in the heart of Music City can be helpful for internships and work experience.
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Paul’s Answer

Hi Charlie! There are many good options around the country, but here are a few things for which you'll want to dig deeper regarding the programs you're considering.

Music business programs in many schools are not just about business. For example, you mentioned Berklee in Boston. Berklee has a significant portion of the curriculum related to performance; in other words, if you're not a really good musician, you may not even get accepted. I was NOT a musician, and I struggled to graduate from a more music-focused program similar to Berklee.

You may want to consider a few factors about this school. Look at the focus of their curriculum - is it business or music? Where is the school located? NEVER forget the entertainment industry is a "who you know" business. A place like Belmont in the heart of Nashville should have excellent opportunities to network and learn. Other major cities like LA or New York also put you in the middle of thriving entertainment industries, with significantly more opportunities.

Hope that helps!
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Jim’s Answer

Columbia Chicago

But to echo some of the other answers, its also about what you've done not necessarily your education background.

Get active in your local community, talk to local bands/djs/musicians, reach a point where you are helping bands/djs/musicians of all sorts progress their career. That is the real resume builder.
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