The Music Business track pairs a musical foundation and business skills to excel in the growing industry surrounding the musical arts.  Explore all facets of the music business with classes in management, finance, marketing, intellectual property law, and more, then hone your skills with project-focused learning and community partnerships.  The Music Business track features:


  • Entrepreneurial: learn the fundamental business & music skills that help you succeed in all facets of the industry, as your own boss or as a part of a larger organization
  • Hands-on education: dive into projects ranging from marketing a new album to managing large-scale concerts and more, all as a part of your classes
  • Collaborative environment: work with artists, recording engineers, and practitioners from across the industry to grow your network
  • Ready to launch: Music Business track students leave school with a portfolio of projects, internship experience, and a network to launch into their careers

 

Potential Careers

  • Marketing director for artists or non-profit arts organizations
  • Tour manager for a band or ensemble
  • Copyright attorney
  • Operations manager for an orchestra or choir
  • Educational outreach director for an arts organization

The Music Technology & Recording (MTR) track blends musicianship with in-depth technical studies to create well-rounded professionals.  This track focuses on gaining hands-on skills, building a network of collaborators, and preparing students to enter the industry in any variety of roles with skills that support your career now and the knowledge needed to adapt to the future.  The Music Technology & Recording track offers:


  • Unparalleled access: use the University’s high-end recording studio and digital composition station to practice and hone skills starting your first year
  • Work-as-you-learn: technical work-study positions provide a chance to work in a professional environment with student ensembles, faculty performers, and world-renowned guest artists right on campus
  • Collaborative spirit: work with other students on projects like recording sessions, music productions, live radio broadcasts, music videos, multi-sensory performance projects, and more
  • Earn credit: most Music Technology and Recording students leave school with record, video, and project credits

 

Potential Careers

  • Recording engineer
  • Broadcast engineer for radio or TV
  • Live sound and event production specialist
  • Video post-production for music and live events
  • Audio software developer

Classical auditions

Prepare two contrasting works or etudes for your instrument or voice part from the standard repertoire. One selection should demonstrate technical proficiency, and one should highlight expressive, lyrical performance.


Jazz auditions

Jazz auditions will be accompanied by a play along track or a live rhythm section when available.

Instrumentalists (excluding drum set)
  • Prepare one selection that you have been working on or have performed in the past. It could be a tune, a transcribed solo, or a part from a jazz ensemble chart.
  • Perform all Major scales and the Bb or F blues scale.
  • Improvise on a B-flat or F blues of your choice.
  • Sight-read a jazz etude specific to your instrument.
Drum Set
  • Prepare one selection that you have been working on or have performed in the past. It could be a tune, a transcribed solo, or a part from a jazz ensemble chart.
  • Play the following styles: swing (w/sticks and brushes), bossa, and funk/rock.
  • Play the swing groove and a solo on a Bb or F blues of your choice.
  • Sight-read a big band drum set part.

Popular & contemporary music auditions

Popular & contemporary music auditions, including live performances of rock, pop, gospel, rap/hip-hop, and other genres of music, are welcome! Please prepare two works (original or composed by another artist/writer) that showcase your abilities as a performer. These auditions may be solo, with self-accompaniment, or performed with a pre-recorded backing track. If you have piano sheet music, you may also utilize one of the University’s accompanists.


Technical specifications
  • One vocal microphone and monitor will be provided at the audition, as well as use of a grand piano, and the capability to play back a stereo audio track. All required instruments, amplifiers, and additional equipment must be provided by the performer. Backing tracks should be provided as .wav files named yourname_piece.wav through the Google form submission on the Department’s audition website at least one week (7 days) in advance of the audition.
  • It is worth noting that performances with complex technical requirements or requiring a backing band may be better represented by submission of the work in the form of a video or audio portfolio process described below.

Both application types require an interview, theory exam, and attendance at a scheduled audition day. Please see below for more details. 

For applicants who are music producers, songwriters, band members, music marketers, promoters, recording technicians, or other similar roles, presenting your work might be the best way to showcase your talents. Your portfolio can take many forms but should be submitted digitally and set so anyone with the link can view it. Some examples of portfolio types and sharing methods include:


  • Audio recordings of your music - shared via SoundCloud, Bandcamp, a music distribution platform (Spotify, etc.), or a file sharing service like Dropbox or Google Drive
  • Videos of your music - (performance recordings or music videos) - shared via YouTube or Vimeo
  • A written outline of your musical interests & career goals* - shared via a file sharing service such as Google Drive or Dropbox
    • This may be ideal if you have not been able to engage in significant work in the area of the music industry that you wish to pursue. Describe your musical experience, how it has shaped your desire to pursue the particular career path, and what knowledge and skills you have that make you ideally suited for this career. This statement should be at least 500 words, but no more than 750 words.
  • High quality audio or video recordings you have made of others’ music - shared in the manner specified for each medium above
    • Audio recordings should involve multiple microphones/tracks
    • Videos should involve multiple cameras or a combination of a single camera and multiple tracks/microphones
  • Sheet music of songs you’ve written - shared via a file sharing service such as Google Drive or Dropbox
  • A selection of your work as a promoter or marketing partner for an artist - shared via file sharing platform like Dropbox or Google Drive, or direct links online materials. This could include (but is not limited to):
    • marketing materials for a concert/performance promotional videos
    • a website you’ve built or overseen for an artist
    • a portfolio of social media accounts you manage
    • a selection of your work as a live sound, lighting, or video technician - shared via a file sharing service such as Google Drive or Dropbox 
    • video or pictures of a production in which you were involved

In addition to these portfolio materials (except those marked with an *), submissions should include a brief description of each submitted item, including your role in its creation, what software or equipment was used, and an outline or list of any others involved. Feel free to tell us a bit about your work, but try to keep it to a few sentences each.

Both application types require an interview, theory exam, and attendance at a scheduled audition day. Please see below for more details. 
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