October 6, 2000

Music is their business

Raymond Willhoft, A'00, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications

Students interested in learning the ins and outs of the music industry can now choose a new major or minor in Music Business, which is offered through the College of Music. Started this fall, the Music Business program, headed by Scott Fredrickson, Ph.D, the Conrad N. Hilton Eminent Scholar in Music Industry Studies, gives students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be successful in the ever-changing music industry. "We're educating the future generation of the music industry," says Fredrickson.

With a music business degree, graduates will be able to pursue careers in the music industry such as music critic, audio engineer, and concert promoter.

Students enrolled in the music business program are given the option of pursuing either a bachelor of science in music business degree or a bachelor of music with elective studies in music business degree. A music business minor also is offered. Students learn the basics of the music industry by participating in classes such as music technology, music merchandising and salesmanship, music publishing, copyright and contracts, and music marketing and promotion. Students also get hands-on experience in areas such as digital audio production and multi-media production.

The music business program was created after Loyola's College of Music received a $1 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and a $400,000 matching fund from the Louisiana Educational Quality Support Fund. The money allowed Fredrickson to create and implement the program from the ground up.

As Fredrickson explains, the music business program at Loyola is unique because unlike similiar programs, it successfully integrates several academic departments. The program's curriculum combines liberal arts classes such as advertising, graphic arts, and communications with business classes such as economics, business administration, and marketing in order to give students experience working in all areas of the music industry.

The music business program also is unique because it is located in New Orleans, a city known for its musical heritage. The program encourages student interaction with the local community and focuses on promoting local talent and keeping it in Louisiana. Internships also allow students to work for New Orleans-based businesses and organizations. Future seminars, guest-speakers, and workshops will give students as well as local musicians, business owners, and anyone interested in the music industry the chance to learn valuable skills crucial to achieving success in the music industry. The program has been recognized by New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial who believes it will help the entertainment industry in the city grow.

So far, response to the program has been very favorable. Nearly 75 students have enrolled in its first year. The students, many of which are from other states, are pleased with the program and feel it is crucial to their future plans in the music industry. "I think the music business program is great so far. The classes and seminars are effective in preparing me for what lies ahead," comments Erin Sellers, music business junior.

The future of the music business program seems bright. Plans are in the works for the creation of a master's degree in music business, a student-run record label, a nationally distributed newsletter, a Center for music business Entrepreneurship, which will help artists start their careers or businesses, and a Center for Copyright Research, which will help music publishers in securing copyrights.