Music Business

Music Business prepares students to work in professions in both the for- and non-profit sectors of the music industry. Example professions include such as arts administration, the recording industry, talent management, non-profit arts organizations, entertainment law, film music, the digital/internet music industry, radio/television, music publishing, music retail/merchandising, and public relations/marketing.

Coursework in the program covers subjects such as legal and career aspects of the music industry, accounting, marketing, basic music technology, economics, and related prerequisite coursework which should allow students to apply for Masters and/or Doctoral programs in Business Administration, Music Industry Management or Arts Administration after graduation.

Students in the program develop necessary skills in arts management, communication, writing, entrepreneurship, basic financial and economic management, organizational structures and negotiation. Internships with corporate and non-profit arts organizations are required and generally occur during the Junior/Senior years of study, in preparation for careers in the globally-competitive music industry.

Preferred entrance requirements
In addition to appropriate musical background, talent and skills necessary for all auditioned music majors, these are related abilities, experiences and attributes preferred for success in the Music Business Program:

• An awareness, and strong personal vocation, involving the music industry
• Positive communication, presentation, organization and writing skills
• An entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic
• The desire to represent and advocate for artists, artistic organizations, and the cultural welfare of the community/society
• If possible, previous courses and/or background in business, marketing, economics, public relations, and related fields
• Appropriate computer skills, technology aptitude and internet experience
• Real-life employment experience, preferably in the arts and related experiences
• An understanding and flexibility encompassing global artistic/business interactions
• Other appropriate music, business, and personal attributes supportive to this demanding and competitive profession

Entrance Requirements
Prospective students must audition on their primary instrument before an audition committee on one of the annual audition dates.

Auditions and Advising
1. Apply to Wayne State at www.admissions.wayne.edu

2. Prior to the Music Department Audition/Interview submit the required one-page Professional Resume and a separate, required, one-page Career Objectives Statement to Jeremy Peters (jeremy.peters@wayne.edu). These materials are required, in addition to a successful WSU Music Department Audition, for entrance into the Music Business degree program. In your Career Objectives Statement, you must answer the following questions:

a. Why music business, and why Wayne State?

b. What are your principal interests, outside of work or school? What makes those things interesting to you?

c. Whom do you most admire? You may choose anyone, and there is no extra benefit for choosing a musician or music business icon? Why do you admire them?

d. Describe a failure, setback, speedbump, or roadblock you faced and what you learned from facing this.

e. Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. How did you get to the goal? What did you learn from the experience?

3. Submit an Audition Form to the Department of Music at least three weeks prior to the date of your choice. Auditions take place each November (for January admission), February, March, and May (for September admission). Students will audition on their primary instrument before an audition committee. On audition day, prospective students will take a Music Theory Placement Exam (15-20 minutes), which indicates the level of theory class appropriate for the first semester of study.

4. Once accepted, meet with the Academic Advisor for Music, for advising by scheduling an appointment using https://stars.wayne.edu/. For all advising meetings you should bring copies of your transcripts, current class schedule if not available on your transcripts. When accepted to Wayne State you'll be assigned a WSU Academica account where you can access and print this information.

Note: Even if WSU has accepted outside music classes, they will need to be secondarily approved by the Department of Music.