BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:  Music Publishing

Course #:  MBU 3450 03 & 05                        Credit Hrs:  3        Semester:  Fall 2006

Class Location:  MC 200B & 200A                Meeting Time(s):  T/TH 3:30pm & T/TH 5:00pm

Final Exam:  tba

 

Instructor: Marty Wheeler

Contacts: Assistant = Leslie Linebaugh        Phone: 261-3349      Email:   mwheeler@brentwoodbenson.com

NOTE: As an adjunct professor I do not have an office at Belmont University.  Please call the above number or e-mail me if you have any problems

 

For Updated Syllabus Schedule and Study Guides visit: www.martywheeler.com/belmont/index.htm

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

A study of music publishing.  The course deals with contracts, music licensing, performance rights organizations, catalog development, catalog acquisition, sub-publishing, internet revenues, new technologies relating to songs and other activities conducted by music publishers.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

As a result of this course, the student:

 

1.                  Should be able to explain those activities conducted by the music publisher including catalog administration, contract negotiation, royalty accounting, song promotion, mechanical, synchronization, and print licensing and foreign sub-publishing.

2.                  Should have a good understanding of the Performing Rights Organizations and their role in the music publishing industry.

3.                  Should be able to express the major tenets of key publishing contracts including exclusive and single song contracts, co-publishing and administration from the perspective of the Music Publisher, the non-artist songwriter and the artist songwriter.

4.                  Should have a good understanding of the latest copyright issues and how it relates to the Music Publisher and the Songwriter. 

 

 

GOALS OF THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS:

 

The following objectives will be applied toward course completion:

 

·         To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

 

·         To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.

 

·         To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

 

Honor CODE:

 

As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors, which compromise value.  In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System.  Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work.  Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:

 

“I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

 

"Accommodation of Disabilities:

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities.  If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible."

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

1.             Attendance:          As per the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  I am very strict on this.  If you miss more than the allowed amount – You WILL Fail this class.    

 

2.             Materials:             Music, Money and Success (5th edition) by Jeffrey & Todd Brabec

 

3.             Participation and Prepared assignments:     

Research Reports: Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Research Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under Class Schedule.  Each report must include one article relating to some aspect of music publishing stapled to a one-page typed analysis of the article written by the student.   Suggested print sources include Billboard, Radio & Records, Music Row, CCM Update, the Tennessean, Hollywood Reporter and Variety.  Articles relating to music publishing from the Internet are also permitted as long as it is a reputable source. Your paper should give a brief description of the article’s main points and how it relates to Music Publishing (If not obvious).  If it is not related to music publishing in any way, it will be given a zero. 

1) MUST be typed and at least one page (single or double spaced).

1) MUST include your name.

2) MUST be stapled. (No bending of corners or paper clips).

3) MUST include a copy of the article.  I need a copy of the article, NOT a web link.

4) MUST be turned in at class – No e-mailed papers will be accepted.

5) MUST NOT be LATE.  I will deduct at least 20 points PER DAY that your report is late.

These reports may be discussed in class

 

4.             Testing:

3 tests will be given in the class on the dates stated under class schedule.  NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.

The Final Exam will be comprehensive.

 

5.             Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Participation credits are listed below:

                                                                                % of Grade

3 Research Papers (5% each)                             15%

Test #1                                                                   20%

Mid Term                                                               30%

Final                                                                       35%

TOTAL                                                                  100%

 

Grading scale:  97-100=A+, 93-96=A, 90-92=A-, 87-89=B+, 83-86=B, 80-82=B-, 76-79=C+, 73-76=C, 70-72=C-, 67-69=D+, 63-66=D, 60-62=D-, 0-59=F

 

Class Schedule:

Thu      08/24    Introduction – Market Analysis (RIAA Market data)

Tue      08/29    Music Publishing History

Thu      08/31    Departmental functions                                      -Read pages 1-9

Tue      09/05    Income Sources for a publisher                          -Read pages 30-56

Thu      09/07    Mechanical Calculations / Royalties                    -Research # 1 Due

Tue      09/12    The Controlled Composition Clause                    -Read pages 149-158                

Thu      09/14    tba

Tue      09/19    Test 1 - (Covers Mechanical Calculations Only)

Thu      09/21    Copyright Overview                                          -Read Chapter 4

Tue      09/26    Great Songs Day / Listening                               -Bring a great song!              

Thu      09/28    Deal Proposal’s (the basics)                               -Read chapter 2

Tue      10/03    Contracts (read through a full contract)

Thu      10/05    Contracts continued – Review for Mid Term                                          

Tue      10/10    Mid Term                  

Thu      10/12    FALL BREAK – NO CLASS

Tue      10/17    Intro to PRO’s / ASCAP                                   -Read Chapter 10         

Thu      10/19    BMI / SESAC                                                  

Tue      10/24    Guest Speaker (TBA)                                        -Research #2 Due

Thu      10/26    Guest Speaker (TBA)

Tue      10/31    Licensing (Mechanicals & HFA)                        -Read pages 32-33

Thu      11/02    Licensing (Synch – Movies/Commercials/TV)     -Read Chapters 7,8&9

Tue      11/07    Songwriter(s) – Guest speakers                          -Research #3 Due

Thu      11/09    Movie Song Casting                                           -Bring Music for scene

Tue      11/14    Sub-Publishing                                                   -Read Chapter 13

Thu      11/16    New Media -Internet /Streaming /Downloading   -Read Chapter 12

Tue      11/21    tba

Thu      11/23    TURKEY DAY – NO CLASS

Tue      11/28    Catalog Acquisitions                                          -Read Chapter 15

Thu      11/30    Song Demos / Song Plugging / Creative 

Tue      12/05    Review for exam

TBA                 Final Exam

 

For Updated Syllabus Schedule and Study Guides visit: www.martywheeler.com/belmont/index.htm