MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL
Musicians Institute’s Music Business School Program features in-depth training and interactive learning experiences with seasoned music industry professionals, who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Our course topics cover the diverse range of industry areas including Law and Contracts, Music Publishing and Licensing, Artist and Tour Management, A&R and Record Labels, Distribution, Promotion, and Marketing.
Whether you are an aspiring music business professional, an enterprising entrepreneur or an artist seeking a comprehensive industry education, MI’s Music Business Program is designed to give you the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to put your career on the fast track and lead you to success!
LEARN MORE ABOUT MI
NAVIGATE THE MUSIC BUSINESS INDUSTRY WITH CONFIDENCE
We stand out as one of the best colleges for music business, offering a comprehensive education and valuable industry connections that pave the way for your success. Our institution, located in California, is renowned for its music business programs, making us a top choice for aspiring professionals.
At Musicians Institute, we understand the importance of a well-rounded education in the music industry. Our curriculum covers a wide spectrum, including crucial subjects like Law, Publishing, Music Supervision, Distribution, Management, and Marketing. Graduates from our program are exceptionally prepared to launch their careers with confidence.
If you’re seeking top music school business or colleges that offer a music business degree, look no further. Musicians Institute is your destination. Our courses are carefully designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic music industry landscape. We take pride in being one of the top music business schools in California, offering the finest education and resources for our students.
Unlock Your Potential: Best Music Industry Schools
At Musicians Institute, we’re proud to be recognized as one of the best schools for music business and a top music business school among music industry schools worldwide. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our faculty, who are industry professionals with real-world experience. They not only impart theoretical knowledge but also share valuable insights and connections gained from their own successful careers. When you choose Musicians Institute, you’re not just enrolling in a music business program; you’re joining a community dedicated to nurturing your talent and shaping your future in the music industry. MI is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges with music business majors. Earn your music business degree in California at Musicians Institute.
DEGREES OFFERED
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN MUSIC BUSINESS
The Associate of Science in Music Business degree provides students with in-depth training in a diverse range of subjects encountered in today’s music industry. In addition to principal courses in entertainment law, music publishing and licensing, record labels, distribution, personal management and more, the Associate of Science degree also includes courses in music industry history, international music publishing, accounting and finance, marketing, and visual media.
CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC BUSINESS
For those seeking non-performance careers in the music industry, this program provides the knowledge and practical skills needed for entry-level positions at record labels, marketing and publicity firms, or music industry companies specializing in A&R, licensing, entertainment law, publishing and more.
MI SELECT & NON-CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
MI Select are non-certificate programs designed to provide students with “a taste of MI” if they want another option to full-time. Students can create their own customized schedule from available classes and workshops, while enjoying access to the special guest clinics, extra activities and other industry networking opportunities.
CAREER OPTIONS FOR A MUSIC BUSINESS DEGREE
Available as an Associate degree or Certificate, MI’s Music Business Program provides the opportunity to gain hands-on education and graduate industry-ready for the current music business landscape, and to target career goals in specific areas leading to positions such as:
RECORD LABEL EXECUTIVE
MUSIC PUBLISHER
BOOKING AGENT
TOUR MANAGER
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
PERSONAL MANAGEMENT
A&R/TALENT SCOUT
LICENSING
MARKETING DIRECTOR
ARTIST RELATIONS MANAGERR
ENTREPRENEUR
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
CONCERT PROMOTER
ROYALTIES MANAGER
PR & PUBLICITY
PROGRAM DETAILS
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
- Extensive instruction in the critical areas of Music Law and Music Publishing including copyright law, licensing and agreements.
- Coverage of the range of industry areas such as Management, Touring, Booking, Distribution, and Marketing, as well as entrepreneurial focused courses.
- For the Associate degree, specialized courses in International Music Publishing as well as Royalty Administration, including a course providing introductory training on the industry standard software, Record Maestro. MI is the first and only educational institution offering training on this software which is used by over 200+ companies such as BMG Rights Management, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Concord Records, Epitaph, and Nettwerk Productions.
- Featured guests from across the industry including managers, established executives, and entrepreneurs.
- Guidance in vital networking techniques designed to help procure jobs, gigs and deals.
- Training in how to procure and/or handle performance opportunities, touring and concerts at name venues.
- Experiential learning through internships at established businesses in the music industry while earning course credits.
- Career preparation and skills training in business writing, resume development, related computer applications and leadership.
COURSE CATALOG
For a detailed look at all of MI’s program offerings, you can find the course catalog here.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: ASSOCIATE
Musicians Institute courses are fast paced and certain fundamental musical skills are required before you can begin your program. If you meet entry requirements and are accepted, a one-on-one performance evaluation and placement testing will be held during registration to determine whether you qualify for advanced placement in any area of course work. You are evaluated based on the content of your submission.
For more info, please see the MI Course Catalog.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: CERTIFICATE
Musicians Institute courses are fast paced and certain fundamental musical skills are required before you can begin your program. If you meet entry requirements and are accepted, a one-on-one performance evaluation and placement testing will be held during registration to determine whether you qualify for advanced placement in any area of course work. You are evaluated based on the content of your submission.
For more info, please see the MI Course Catalog.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Musicians Institute offers many opportunities for scholarships in all of our courses. Please visit our Scholarship page for more information.
FINANCIAL AID
Please visit MI’s Financial Aid page for all the details on how you can qualify.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For more info, please visit the International Students page.
FACILITIES
- Full production sound stages and recording studios
- Fully equipped practice facilities and computer labs with the latest industry standard equipment
- Concert Hall access, with full audio/video recording capabilities
- Multiple performance and recording studios available for student practice
SUCCESS STORIES
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Our faculty are music industry professionals from all areas of the music business who work directly with major artists as well as top music executives and companies:
SUSAN KOÇ
CREDITS: Warner Chappell France, Hit & Run Music Publishing, BMG Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management. 30-year career working with songwriters including Shelly Peiken (Grammy Nominee), Wally Gagel, Xandy Barry, Jean Baptiste, busbee, and David Gamson (Grammy Nominee).
TIMOTHY ANDREW EDWARDS
CREDITS: Composer, Music Supervisor, Creative Director/Founder of own music licensing company. Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Bachelor, Ellen, TMZ, Extra (theme), Mike & Molly, Sons of Anarchy, Vampire Diaries, Smallville, NBC/Universal, CBS, ABC, Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, DreamWorks.
RITCH ESRA
CREDITS: Publisher of the Music Business Registry, A&R for Clive Davis/Arista Records, Promotions for A&M Records, SCORE Industry Newsletter, Co-founder of MUBUTV, Industry Conferences – Panel Moderator, Speaker, Organizer.
AL SHAW
COURSES: Tour Management, Adv. Tour Management, Concert Promotions, Marketing & Social Media 2, Media Relations, Music Distribution, Business Writing
SPECIALTIES: Communications/PR/Music Mgmt Consulting, Artist Mgmt and Development, Booking and Tour Mgmt
CREDITS: GusGus, Högni Egilsson, Juan Atkins, Greg Gow, Doug Rasheed, Whitey, Dust Traxx Distribution, Gigolo Records Booking, Friendselectric Artist Mgmt
HONORS & EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations – Marketing Communications, Columbia College Chicago
INTERNSHIPS
Students gain firsthand experience in the industry through internships with music industry companies. Prior to placement, students are coached on writing professional résumés, personal interview skills and professionalism. Specific firms, positions and duties vary according to availability. Previous Music Business students have been place with top companies including:
SONY/ATV and SONY MUSIC
ATLANTIC RECORDS
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT
CONCORD MUSIC GROUP
PARADIGM TALENT AGENCY
CAPITOL RECORDS
BMG MUSIC
ESP GUITARS
LIVE NATION
WARNER MUSIC GROUP
CAREER ARTIST MANAGEMENT
ASCAP
NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP
NEDERLANDER CONCERTS
SUMERIAN RECORDS
CONCORD MUSIC GROUP
VELVET HAMMER MUSIC & MGMT
INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND RESOURCES
- The Recording Academy: Opportunity to obtain student membership into Grammy U.
- ASCAP, BMI, Production Music Association, California Copyright Conference, Association of Independent Music Publishers, NAMM and others: Student discounts to industry conferences, volunteer opportunities and access to various industry panels and events.
- NonLinear Educating: Extra study resource with free account to online learning platform containing extensive selection of tutorial-videos on popular software applications and creative workflow techniques; accessible 24/7.
- MI Library (main campus): Provides a wealth of media, online research databases and resources, print material and related equipment to support MI’s educational programs; over 80 Apple Mac workstations offer Internet as well as access to videos of visiting artist concerts, seminars, and instructional media.
- Open Counseling: Open hours for students to see instructors for counseling on course material as well as general topics in the music business.
STUDENT CONSUMER DISCLOSURES
ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS
Associate of Science in Music Business
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Certificate in Music Business
Certificate in Music Business – Entrepreneur
PART-TIME PROGRAMS
Certificate in Music Business