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Music, Music Industry Concentration, B.M.

The Music Industry Concentration in the Bachelor of Music degree is offered by the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU. The Music Industry concentration develops your music performance, commerce, and entrepreneurship skills, empowering you to foster a career that embraces today's ever-changing marketplace. This degree balances music and industry experiences to nurture the modern performing artist professional in a collaborative, artistic environment.
The music foundation is established by our world-class faculty who engage you in classical or jazz private lessons, studio classes, large and small ensembles, and classes in music history, music theory, and ear training. The industry is represented by coursework specifically designed for the 21st century musician-entrepreneur, an internship guided by Grammy Award winner Cedric Dent, and music industry seminars with guests representing various segments in our multibillion-dollar marketplace. To be admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree program, all entering students must pass an audition before the faculty on their major instrument or voice. In addition, all prospective new or transfer undergraduate music majors and minors are required to take the Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam to determine appropriate placement in the music theory program. For additional information and to schedule a time for the exam, contact the School of Music Office.

If you live in one of these states: AR DE; you may be able to attend MTSU at in-state rates under the Academic Common Market program.

Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information
Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information

News Briefs

Celtic Violin and Voice, on Tour with "The Celts"

Through her MTSU network, Luisa Marion — a current MTSU Music Industry student studying violin — found herself with an opportunity to play Celtic violin and sing Gaelic professionally touring "Christmas with The Celts." With no prior experience in these specializations, Luisa was hesitant to sign on. With encouragement and many pep talks from her professors and colleagues, Luisa gained the confidence to take on the exciting opportunity. Drawing upon her Suzuki Method training, she intensely prepared the expansive repertoire and sought specialized training in the performance practice of pronouncing old Irish dialect and performing Celtic fiddle techniques. While following strict COVID protocols, Luisa faced the challenges presented to perform for a professional tour of the South-East. She found herself in a professional setting, growing as both a musician and a person.

Felipe Valenzuela Finds Success at Universal Music Publishing Group

Felipe was appointed Global Data Services Coordinator at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) in Franklin, Tennessee, after completing his Bachelor of Music in Music Industry and Bachelor of Science in Audio Production. As a Coordinator, he is responsible for maintaining copyright and royalty data in UMPG's publishing administration systems and contributes to the supervision of royalty statements for several European countries, all while building valuable professional relationships within the music industry. While at MTSU, he remembers his clarinet lessons as some of the most enjoyable moments in his undergraduate career. Felipe credits his studies with Dr. Waldecker for his attention to detail, ability to maintain a balance between multiple major projects, and for his continuous striving to be, quoting Dr. Waldecker, "...not perfect, but satisfied."

News Briefs

Celtic Violin and Voice, on Tour with "The Celts"

Through her MTSU network, Luisa Marion — a current MTSU Music Industry student studying violin — found herself with an opportunity to play Celtic violin and sing Gaelic professionally touring "Christmas with The Celts." With no prior experience in these specializations, Luisa was hesitant to sign on. With encouragement and many pep talks from her professors and colleagues, Luisa gained the confidence to take on the exciting opportunity. Drawing upon her Suzuki Method training, she intensely prepared the expansive repertoire and sought specialized training in the performance practice of pronouncing old Irish dialect and performing Celtic fiddle techniques. While following strict COVID protocols, Luisa faced the challenges presented to perform for a professional tour of the South-East. She found herself in a professional setting, growing as both a musician and a person.

Felipe Valenzuela Finds Success at Universal Music Publishing Group

Felipe was appointed Global Data Services Coordinator at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) in Franklin, Tennessee, after completing his Bachelor of Music in Music Industry and Bachelor of Science in Audio Production. As a Coordinator, he is responsible for maintaining copyright and royalty data in UMPG's publishing administration systems and contributes to the supervision of royalty statements for several European countries, all while building valuable professional relationships within the music industry. While at MTSU, he remembers his clarinet lessons as some of the most enjoyable moments in his undergraduate career. Felipe credits his studies with Dr. Waldecker for his attention to detail, ability to maintain a balance between multiple major projects, and for his continuous striving to be, quoting Dr. Waldecker, "...not perfect, but satisfied."

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CAREERS

Every student has a unique voice and specialized interests that help them find the
job and career path they want to pursue. In the multi-billion-dollar Music Industry,there are many opportunities to make a living in and around Music. Students immediatelybegin preparing to launch their career through a course entitled Foundations in MusicIndustry and Music Industry Seminars that introduce them to leading career professionals,all in their first year on campus.

In addition to a freely chosen 15-18 credit Minor, each student's individualized experiencedevelops through upper-division coursework. These courses cater to topics of studythe student chooses, including a Music Industry Professional course that developstheir vision for a unique career path and an Internship in the Music Industry to gettheir foot in the door. Career services and internship/job databases support studentswhile in school and after graduation. In addition to the MTSU on-campus communityof 20,000+ students, our proximity to Nashville means almost endless opportunity.Here, you can see and hear world-class art and performances, attend trade shows suchas Summer NAMM, and access professional internships with world-class performance organizationsand companies.

In Middle Tennessee, there are positions to fill and customers waiting for your newproduct, service, or idea. As musicians, artists, and professionals, each studentfinds a career path best suited for them. With this specialization in music entrepreneurship, a Music Industry degree studenthas opportunities to pursue a multitude of careers, including: 

  • A&R/talent agent
  • Artistic director
  • Composer/arranger/orchestrator
  • Conductor
  • Contemporary and baroque performer
  • Copyright specialist
  • Development officer
  • Editor/publisher
  • Entertainment manager
  • Film music director/editor
  • Film/studio/session musician
  • Instrument repair and sales
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Music critic/journalist
  • Music librarian
  • Music product sales and development
  • Musicologist
  • Non-profit management
  • Orchestra musician
  • Personnel manager
  • Private Instructor
  • Professional classical/jazz artist
  • Publicist
  • Record company manager
  • Songwriter
  • Stage manager
  • University admissions and advising
  • University professor

Employers of MTSU alumni include

  • Altissimo Recordings
  • ASCAP
  • Bravo Voice Studios
  • Deep Fried Entertainment
  • Def Kat Music LLC
  • Embassy Music
  • Gospel Music Association
  • Greg Oliver Agency
  • Guitar Center
  • Guitar Shark Music
  • Hinchey Music Services, Inc.
  • Hummingbird Productions
  • J. Schrepper Promotions
  • Levosia Entertainment
  • Nashville Jazz Orchestra
  • Nashville Opera
  • New Vision Church
  • Oasis Church, Murfreesboro
  • Pearl Corporation
  • Songwriters Guild of America
  • Ten Ten Music Group
  • The Music Stop
  • Turner's Music
  • Universal Music Publishing Group

REQUIREMENTS

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FACULTY

INFORMATION

The Music Industry concentration develops your music performance, commerce, and entrepreneurship skills empowering you to foster a career that embraces today's ever-changing marketplace.  Your "Music" foundation in the degree is established by our world-class faculty that engages you in Classical or Jazz private lessons, studio classes, large and small ensembles, recital presentation, and classes in music history, music theory, and ear training.  The "Industry" in the degree is represented by coursework specifically designed for the 21st-century musician-entrepreneur, a 200-hour internship guided by Grammy Award winner Dr. Cedric Dent, and music industry seminars with guests representing various segments in our multi-billion-dollar marketplace.

Additionally, students select a Minor allowing the freedom to further their professional interests in Entrepreneurship, Recording Industry, or any Minor field they choose. This degree balances "Music" and "Industry" experiences to nurture the modern performing-artist-professional in a collaborative, artistic environment conveniently located 45 minutes down the road from Nashville, Music City, USA.

This program is approved for the Academic Common Market.

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