Central Methodist University Department of Music
Spring 2020
Syllabus
Music Business MU109
(2 hrs.)
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-2:50pm, Classic Hall 200
Prof. David Witter, Classic Hall 202-D, 660-651-9964
dwitter@centralmethodist.edu; office hours by appointment
Mission
Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
Description
A survey of business, marketing, entrepreneurial, and budget related skills as pertinent to the field of music.
Purposes
—To understand basic business, marketing, budgeting, and entrepreneurial skills as related to the music field
—To understand how to apply the above concepts to practical situations and career planning
Outcomes
The successful student will:
—Demonstrate an understand of marketing, budgeting, and entrepreneurial skills as related to the music field
—Demonstrate a command of software or tools that are applicable to the management of the above skills
—Be able to speak the language and understand jargon as related to music business
Assessment activities (student mastery of outcomes will be demonstrated through the following activities)
—Writing assignments including papers and journals
—Mock budgets and proposals
—Participating in class discussion
Required Texts
Various musical scores
Krasilovsky, M. William, Sidney Shemel, and John Gross. This Business of Music: The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry, 10th ed.. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2007.
Academic Property
All work (original or copy) submitted by the student to satisfy the requirements of the course may be retained at the discretion of the instructor for non-profit and educational purposes. Such work is generally used for assessing the course and providing evidence of student accomplishment for review by accrediting agencies. Any student wishing to prohibit such use of their work may do so by notifying the instructor in writing.
Non-discrimination Policy
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability/state defined handicap (“disability”). This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements.The Center for Learning & Teaching at Central Methodist University is committed to ensuring nondiscrimination and equal access to all programs, services, and activities for qualified students with a disability. It is the responsibility of any student who wishes to claim a disability and seek an accommodation to file official documentation confirming the disability and a completed Disability Services Student Information Form with the Center of Learning and Teaching prior to seeking any accommodation based on the disability.
Grievance Policy
Central Methodist University has established a grievance policy and process designed to provide students and others with a process to resolve potential issues. This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to established a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern. For more detailed information, consult the CLAS catalog at: http://www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/catalog/clas-catalog/policies/index.php.
If an issue cannot be solved through consultation with the faculty or division chair, students can report an incident/issue within 30 days of the event via the online web form https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralMethodistUniv&layout_id=3.
Academic Conduct Policy
Your projects must represent your work and your ideas. Ideas incorporated into your work that are not your own must be properly documented.
Students are expected to follow the CMU Academic Conduct Policy as outlined on the CMU website. Any evidence of academic misconduct may have any or all of the following consequences:
Grade of zero on the individual assignment.
Grade of F in the class.
Dismissal from the class.
A notation of academic misconduct on your transcript.
The Dean of the University may take additional action, including probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college.
Attendance
Attendance is a very important factor in completing the course successfully. Each absence beyond three will result in a 3% deduction from the course grade. Two tardies will be considered equivalent to one absence. Students with no absences will earn a 3% addition to their course grade.
Class cancellation
In the event of a university-wide closure, students should assume that all classes are canceled. Should I need to cancel class for any reason, I will let you know in person and via email.
Make-up and Late Work
Timely completion of homework and projects is essential. An assignment not turned in during the class period in which it is due will be accepted one class period late for half credit. Assignments completed more than one class period late will not be accepted.
Course Grades
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79%= C
60-69% = D
0-59% = F
Grade Weight
Discussion/Participation 10%
Quizzes 30%
Projects 40%
Final 20%
Course Element Descriptions
Resume (100 points)
Write your resume with a specific position or career in mind (pre-approved by professor). This document should reflect your education, experiences, and skills. Be sure to prioritize those items which would make you most competitive for the position that you chose. Should be exactly two pages in length and must follow the basic model that the professor provides.
Cover Letter (100 points)
Write a cover letter to accompany your resume. This letter should be focused on a specific job posting, real or hypothetical (pre-approved by professor). Similarly to the resume, your cover letter should reflect the skills and experiences that best qualify you for the posting. Should be exactly one page in length and must follow the basic model that the professor provides.
Biography (150 points)
Write a professional biography that can be used for a website, marketing materials, concert program, or liner notes. The professional biography should include some information from your resume and cover letter along with narrative anecdotes. Please choose a model that resonates with your career goals (pre-approved by professor). Should be a minimum of two pages in length and must follow the basic model that the professor provides.
Contract (150 points)
Write a performance contract based on a specific service that you intend to provide (pre-approved by professor). Contract should include specific information regarding performance terms, venue provisions, financial compensation, expense budget, etc. Try to consider as many parameters as possible that may affect the service you are providing. Should be a minimum of two pages in length and must follow the basic model that the professor provides.
Proposal (200 points)
Write a proposal for a good or service (pre-approved by professor). This document should be written for a specific audience or consumer and should focus on a good or service that you have to offer. The goal of the proposal is to provide detailed information about the good or service, the reason why it is necessary, a strategy for implementation, specific funding requirements, and projected results. Should be a minimum of three pages in length and must follow the basic model or guidelines that the professor provides.
Budget (200 points)
Assuming that the funding for your proposal was approved, write a budget for the project needs. This document should focus on the practical requirements of your good or service and detail your expenses and why they are a necessity. Assume that items in your budget request will only be approved if you effectively defend the need for them. Should be a minimum of three pages in length and must follow the basic model or guidelines that the professor provides.
Interview (150 points)
Schedule a mock interview with the professor geared toward the position that you applied for at the beginning of the semester.
Negotiation (150 points)
Schedule a negation with the professor based on the good or service that you provided in the Proposal.
Reading
Assigned Reading. May stem from textbook or supplemental materials. In class quizzes may occur after reading assignments have been due. These quizzes may be planned, or take form as a pop quiz. Content will be germane to vocabulary or major concepts related to the reading.
Final
Evaluations based on all reading, class discussions, and assignments. Content will be cumulative.
Class Discussion/Participation
A weekly or bi-weekly evaluation of your engagement in class.
Course Calendar (schedule and assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion)
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Date
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Topic
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Misc.
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January 14
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Introduction
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January 16
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“…”
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January 21
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The Music Industry in the Twenty-First Century
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January 23
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“…”
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January 28
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Recording Artist Contracts
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January 30
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Soccer Stop Day
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February 4
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“…”
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February 6
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Songwriter Contracts and Royalty Statements
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February 11
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“…”
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February 13
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Agents and Managers
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February 18
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“…”
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February 20
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Independent Record Producers
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February 25
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“…”
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February 27
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Sound Recording: Rights, Restrictions and Royalties
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March 3
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“…”
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March 5
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Copyright Law in the United States
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March 10
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“…”
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March 12
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Arrangements and Adaptations
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March 17
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“…”
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March 19
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“...”
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March 24
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Spring Break
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March 26
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Spring Break
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March 31
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April 2
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Class Discussion
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April 7
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Performing Rights Organizations
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April 9
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April 14
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Copyright Infringement
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April 16
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Proposal
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April 21
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Printed Music
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April 23
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April 28
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Review
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April 30
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May 4 (Monday)
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Final Examination given
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May 7 (Thursday)
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Final Examination due
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Budget
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Schedule dates of note (may or may not pertain to this class):
Jan. 13 – first day of classes
Jan. 20 – MLK, Jr. Day (no classes)
Jan. 23-24 – MMEA (many music ed students will be gone)
Jan. 30 – Soccer Stop Day (no classes – celebrate the soccer team’s national championship)
May 4-7 – Finals and Juries