B.S. in Music - Business Merchandising Concentration

The program merges business and musical expertise, preparing the graduate to enter the music industry with an ability to interact with professionals in both music and business. An important aspect of the program is that students are trained as musicians, which enhances their credibility within the industry. Students pursue the same core studies as other music majors as well as courses specifically devoted to the evolving demands of the music industry. A variable array of management, economics, marketing, and finance courses round out the curriculum requirements. Every student receives a solid foundation in comprehensive, integrated musicianship by participating in performance ensembles, by taking private lessons, by attending concerts, and by studying music theory, music history and literature, piano, and music technology. Music business students take a grouping of specific music business courses that serve to bridge both the musical and business worlds through intensive examination of music industry-related topics such as copyright, contracts, management, arts administration, music merchandising, the record business, and venue management. The program offers numerous experience-based career development opportunities, the most important being a required six-month internship as the culmination of degree studies. Internships provide an opportunity to work at a variety of jobs, to experience different levels of management, and to address a host of music industry-specific issues such as royalties, product development, artist relations, marketing, and copyright/licensing. Students have their own student-run, industry-related organization, the combined Music Industry Association/Music and Entertainment Industry Education Association (MIA/MEIEA). Other opportunities include the University's Honors Program and study abroad programs, which range from summer programs to a single semester or a full academic year in over 56 countries. Careers In 1978, long before other universities had begun to recognize the viability of career training for the music industry, Indiana State University established an undergraduate degree program specifically for that industry. Today, this program has grown to become one of the most highly regarded and successful in the United States. As the global, multi-billion dollar music industry grows; the demand for highly trained, articulate, and enthusiastic professionals grows as well. Beyond performing, the music industry offers careers in merchandising, publishing, recording, retailing, touring, manufacturing, promotions, movies, television, music print, private music instruction, and music education. Adaptability is the key to success in the music industry, and Indiana State University graduates are highly trained for the changing circumstance in the music industry. Our graduates display a broad set of skills that make them capable of stepping into music industry functions that are "back office" or "front office." Held in high regard by the music industry, Indiana State University's graduates are uniquely qualified to immediately take their places in the global music industry in positions such as music merchandising, retail operations, manufacturing, music publishing, artist management, arts administration, venue management, and music supervision.