BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course #/Title: 

MBU 483.01/ Concert Promotions

Course Credit Hours:

3 Hours

Semester:

FALL 2008  

Instructor:  

Dr. David Herrera

Instructor Contacts: 

(615) 460-6908/herrerad@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

Office:  34 Music Sq. East (Not on campus! Call--doors are locked) Mon 10-12am/2-4pm; Wed. 12:30-2:30pm. Other hours by appt.

Class Location:  

MC 200A

Meeting Times:

T/R 3:30-6:15pm

Final Exam: 

Tues. Dec. 16th 5PM 

 

 

Course Description: MBU 4830. Concert Promotion and Booking (3). Prerequisites: MBU 3520 or permission of instructor. A study of the role of the concert promoter and the organization of concert promoting, including contracts, riders, venues, audience projections/demographics, and finance (budgets, corporate sponsorships, gate receipts, etc.). Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

(http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2008jun/cemb/courses.html)

 

Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and apply the elements required to set up, budget, market, and execute concerts in both a small and large setting.

 

Performance Tasks (PT): Students will demonstrate their understanding of class content through class assignments, quizzes, team projects, and live concert presentation. The final live project will demonstrate the application of course concepts applicable in a creative application of actual concert set up, marketing and execution.  During this course, the student will:  

 

1.       Identify terminology common to the concert promotion industry

2.       Compute various concert budget scenarios through the students design and use of budget spreadsheets.

3.       Document and timeline the component parts needed for executing a concert in both a club and major concert level

4.       Execute and document problem based assignments that demonstrate the forecast, set up, promotion, and execution of a set up and settlement of a typical event/concert including project break even, cost estimates, and net percentage splits per deal constructs typical in the industry

5.       Research, analyze, and design a sponsorship proposal for a concert, activity, or event/festival

6.       Design and apply time management schedules for concert project management that include set up, forecast, break-even analysis, and execution of promotional strategies at an actual local venue with local talent 

 

Assessment Tools: During this course, the understanding of course concepts and terms will be evaluated by a combination of quantitative and qualitative testing using multiple choice, short answers and problem solving scenarios, as well as the development and execution of a live concert event.  

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

Comprehensive Exams/ Quizzes 20% (PT: 1): Multiple choice tests/short answer exams will be based on the lecture and all assigned readings, will consist of the identification of each individual element, terminology, and key identification of basic concepts relating to topics covered in the course. Additionally, Guest Speakers may be used, and students are responsible for all material presented in class from lecture, readings, and guests for testing/quiz purposes. Exams/Quizzes will be given weekly (post lecture) from material presented in class and readings, so it is expected that notes will be kept and reviewed periodically. You are expected to read assigned readings before class. Quizzes may be given at the discretion of the instructor along with work to be completed outside the classroom.

 

Written Proposal 10% (PT 5): Students will write a short proposal for a fictitious event proposed and approved by course instructor. More detail to be delivered in class: however, typical content includes 1) Event overview, 2) Target market/audience segment/projected audience size-box score history, 3) Event details, 4) Marketing specifics and market reach (ad exposure), 5) Event Budget, 6) sponsor participation level, 7) Sponsor outcomes-verification, and 8) Benefits to sponsor. The proposal must be well written with substantial research and content evidenced in a professional layout within the final product.

 

Assignments 30% (PT: 3& 4): Class will solve assignments that replicate set up and execution of live events. Spreadsheet calculations will involve both student-developed templates, as well as instructor delivered templates. Students are expected to be able to calculate any problem presented without the aid of a spreadsheet if needed as well as know the basic elements of agreements utilized in the set up and execution of live events from the following:

            i.            Weekly Status report from team for team project

           ii.            Offer Sheet-talent acquisition

         iii.            Offer Confirmation-documentation of deal points for both venue and artist

         iv.            Contract Budget / Settlement Sheet-projection of expenses

          v.            Performance Contract: confirmation document negotiated with Artist-Tech/Hospitality Rider (as needed)

         vi.            Expense Sheet: Projection for complete Show/venue of students choice

       vii.            Production timeline” Load in / Load Out specifications: applied to Artist (Fall); Artist/Vendors (Spring).

      viii.            Marketing plan/timeline and cost sheet (design of promotional activities off campus)

         ix.            Creative design of artwork/posters

 

Research paper/Essay 10% (PT 9): A short four page essay. This essay will be used to measure your comprehension, application, discussion, and analysis of class concepts. More details to follow, however, the essay should cover an introductory overview of the concert industry as well as an analysis of the trends presented in Billboard reading or other publications. Discussion focus will center on your strategy for incorporating viable strategy for entry into the industry. Your rationale for the overall effects of your strategy should include a short discussion of the value of free versus compensated shows with ties in to streaming, merchandize, and recorded product.  

 

Off/On Campus Projects 30%(PT: 6&7): Small teams will be formed for the set up/booking/promotion and settlement of actual concerts in local venues. Details will be delivered in class. All activity will be documented with weekly status reports delivered at the beginning of each class—once projects are assigned. All class members are expected to attend at least two other class concerts, as well as assist in street level promotions for all groups. Street postings will be delegated throughout all of class for each show. Grading will be split equally between the set up (10%)/documentation—all needed documentation (artist/venue contract) and status report completed as needed  (10%), promotion—coherent promotional strategy/timeline/delegation and completion  (60%) and execution—advance show venue/bands/load in/ settlement/final report  (20%) of the event. This will involve promotional concepts, solicitation, talent buying, confirmation, load in/load out, and general execution of the show and all promotional activities. Acts will be proposed by students for approval by instructor. Further, the rating of promotional strategy/completion  (60%) and execution (20%) combines as previously stated for a total of 80% and is rated as follows: 1) Event money loss: 70% credit, 2) Break Event; 80% credit, 3) + some profit  90%, and 4) +$200 (100%).

 

Latin Street Fair (Spring ). Class will be directly involved in the set up of the Nashville Latin Music Street Festival to be held each Spring semester from 8AM-6PM at Belmont University. Group teams will be distributed and managed by students’ team leaders with firm responsibilities and assignments. Class time will be utilized for this activity, but may need “outside time” in group setting.

 

Make Up / Late submissions

There are NO MAKE UP for any quiz/exam! At the instructor’s discretion, students with a exam/quiz absence will have the final exam count double, triple or more: depending on the number of missed exams. Exceptions are only made for official Belmont University Absences. There is NO policy for not taking the final exam for this class. Excessive unexcused absenteeism will result in a reduction of the course grade at the instructor’s discretion—with warning to student prior to action. Late homework may be submitted within three days after which it MAY be accepted at instructor discretion. If you want to receive a respectable grade in this class, you will need to make it a point to be present for every session

 

Summary:

Comprehensive Exams Quizzes                20% 

Written Proposal                                          10%

Assignments                                                 30% 

Research paper/Essay                                                10% 

Off/On Campus Projects                           30%

                                                                        100%

 

Course & Classroom Policies

Attendance:  Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.  Due to time lines, class attendance policy is more critical than Belmont Policy. Due to timeliness of class, attendance is expected—especially if teams are meeting.  Occasionally, class will be cancelled for team preparation: Check web site for notice.

 

Materials:  1) The Business of Concert Promotion and Touring: A Practical Guide to Creating, Selling, Organizing, and Staging Concerts. By R. Waddel, R. Barnet, and J Berry. Billboard books. 2007 Available at Billboard.com and University bookstore. 

a.          Optional—Performing Musicians should purchase Billboard Musician's Guide 23rd Edition: available online ASAP, Price: $ 15.95 See Billboard .com and click “directories” or try Davis Kidd Bookstore. This is a cheap and useful tool for tour design at the indie level.

b.          Additional supplementary material (contracts-agreements-spreadsheets) will be provided as at campus.belmont.edu/herrerad   Please check frequently for updates

 

Grade Evaluation:  As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is: 

 

Grade

Percent (GPA)

Grade

Percent (GPA)

Final grades below 70% will not apply to the major.

      A

94 (4.0)

 C

74 (2.0)

 

 A-

90 (3.7)

 C-

70 (1.7)

 

 B+

87 (3.3)

  D+

67

 

      B

84 (3.0)

D

64

 

B-

80 (2.7)

D-

60

 

C+

77 (2.3)

F

<60

 

 

Honor Code: It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code. “In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Schedule: 

**Additional readings at instructor’s discretion--TBA.

Instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as well as assignments, tests, and readings as needed.