Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
MUSID053.
Course Title (CB02)
Music Business
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course serves as an Introduction to the business aspects of music. It examines the areas of copyright laws, publishing, concert promotion, club and record contracts, agents, managers, unions, and the various careers to be found in music. The course emphasis is on the commercial music field including music for film, television, sound recording, the record industry, and Internet applications.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Music]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - MUSIC]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is transferable to the CSU system. The course is part of the Associate Degree in Music. This course prepares students for work in commercial music.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
Yes
Foothill Course ID
MUS F050A

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Guest speakers

Collaborative projects

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Assignments

  1. Write one-page reports summarizing and responding to each guest speaker presentation.
  2. Write a paper on a selected career in music or compose an outline identifying the process used to develop marketing strategies such as promo packs, demos, videos, websites, social media, and/or concert promotion.
  3. Deliver a class presentation on research into a music career or marketing plan.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Written reports on guest speaker presentations including synopsis and summary of speaker's opinions and point of view.  Evaluation of paper based on clarity of summary and understanding of speaker's philosophy.
  2. Write and present a final project with qualitative evaluation of research papers, outlines of how demo recordings, press kits, websites and social media are produced and used, and reports on outcomes of concert promotions.
  3. Final exam where students demonstrate accumulated knowledge of copyright law,agent/managers,music publishing,performance rights organizations,entertainment attorneys, record deals, and concert promotion.
  4. Regular and effective participation in classroom discussions.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom with video, audio, and internet accessibilities

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Mark Halloran,The Musician's Business and Legal GuidePrentice Hall5th edition, 2017978-1138672971
Donald S. PassmanAll You Need to Know About the Music BusinessSimon and Schuster10th edition, 20191501122185
Sidney Shemel and M. William KrasilovskyMore About this Business of MusicBillboard Publication, Inc19990823075680

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of copyright protection, publishing aspects, club and record contracts, agents, managers, and concert promotion
  • Research and report on career opportunities in the music business and/or strategies to advance student's current career status
  • Debate music business topics including presentations by guest speakers via in-class discussion
  • Develop an overview of internet applications in the music business, artist marketing and merchandising, and union membership

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate comprehension of the concepts of copyright law, contracts, agents/managers, music publishing, performance rights organizations, record deals, concert promotion, artist promotion kits, trademarks on band names and accessories, and careers in music.

Outline

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of copyright protection, publishing aspects, club and record contracts, agents, managers, and concert promotion
    1. Copyrights protect the reproduction, distribution, public performance, creation of derivative works, and display of works in printed form (sheet music).
    2. Public domain, registration, duration, copyright notice, works made for hire, infringement, and fair use.
    3. "Poor-man's" copyright, 1992 Digital Audio Recording Act, 1995 Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act, current trends in intellectual property law, sampling, and international considerations.
    4. Five categories of income derived from music publishing: performance (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC), mechanicals, sheet music, snychronization (film and television), and foreign.
    5. Terms of contracts including, duration, compensation, sound and lights (clubs), deposits, riders, and free goods and cross-collateralization (records).
    6. Agents bonded and licensed in California and only book gigs for 10% fees, managers handle artistic and business decisions of artists including shopping demos to record companies for 10-15% fees with no set qualifications.
    7. Concert promotion fundamentals of renting facility, security, posters and flyers, radio and print ads, mailing and e-mail lists, website and social media promotion, stickers and t-shirts, and liquor licenses.
  2. Research and report on career opportunities in the music business and/or strategies to advance student's current career status
    1. Research careers such as performing, teaching, non-profit arts management, retail sales, instrument repair, songwriting, film-scoring, music journalism, and report findings to the class.
    2. Develop strategies such as a website, social media presence, promotional package (picture, business card, demo tape, bio, reviews, and song list) for purpose of shopping to record companies or club owners; produce music video, promote a concert, produce a songwriting demo with accompanying lyrics, and present work to the class.
  3. Debate music business topics including presentations by guest speakers via in-class discussion
    1. Describe and analyze personal experiences dealing with club owners, record companies, career opportunities, internet issues, copyright protection, and concert promotion.
    2. Selected guest speakers present on entertainment law, sound recording, concert promotion, and other topics and engage in dialog with students.
  4. Develop an overview of internet applications in the music business, artist marketing and merchandising, and union membership
    1. Development of websites for bands and individual artists including social media applications, file-sharing issues; promotion and merchandising considerations.
    2. Trademark process for merchandise and band names; street teams to disseminate promotional stickers and flyers.
    3. Musicians union sets working conditions, compensation scale, contract protection, referral service, collective bargaining agreements, medical benefits, pension, and regulates agents for union members.
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