THE MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

MuMG 1011: INTRO TO THE MUSIC BUSINESS: AN OVERVIEW

Instructor: Harvey Rachlin

SYLLABUS

Week

Topic

Text  (Baskerville)

1

General overview

 

2

History of the recording industry

1, 2, 3

3

The recording artist, personal manager, business manager, attorney

9, 10

4

Record companies (definition, organization, distribution, rackjobbers, one-stops)

15

5

Publicity and public relations, advertising, trade publications

19

6

Music business unions and trade associations

8

7

Royalties, sources of income, radio

22

8

Introduction to music publishing, copyright, licenses, songwriters, performing rights organizations, mechanical rights organizations

5

9

Legal issues: rights to privacy and publicity, defamation, trademarks, unfair competition, royalty audits, contracts

 

10

Contemporary music business issues, piracy, bootlegging, counterfeiting

15

11

Record clubs, record merchandising companies, record company deals (label, production, distribution deals)

19

12

Concerts, tours, road managers, concert promoters

11

13

Music business licenses

 

14

Booking agent, record producer, summary

 

15

Final examination

 

SIMULATING THE MUSIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT:

Students who write songs, sing, play in bands or produce recordings are encouraged to perform in "A & R Sessions" for critique of talent by classmates with the objective that the student may hone his or her skills for the commercial marketplace. Also, role-plays are held for students in which various music business scenarios are acted out so students may acquire a practical knowledge of business situations and to sharpen their communications skills and confidence.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1.                  Attendance at all classes.

2.                  Completion of assignments on time.

3.                  Term Project

4.                  Final Exam

ASSIGNMENTS:

Weekly assignments using Billboard and other music industry publications, textbooks, trade books, and newspapers.

Midterm             25%

Final                    25%

Homework          25%

Attendance          25%

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Office: Music Room 30, Campus Ext. 6009

E-Mail: rachlinh@mville.edu

HOMEWORK POLICY:

·        All assigned homework must be ready for submission to the instructor on the date its due although collection will be at the discretion of the instructor.

·        No excuses will be accepted as provided by the college. That means excuses such as the following are not acceptable: broken printer, too much homework in other courses, excessive socializing.

·        Attendance is imperative, but if you are unable to be in class you should insert your homework in the instructor's second-floor mailbox in the Music Building no later than the day it is due.

·       Homework must comply with the format specified by the instructor. This includes noting the class number and date the assignment is due.

·        Homework not submitted on time or when the instructor collects homework will receive a zero. Late homework will not be accepted.