BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:  Survey of Music Business / Section: MBU1110.08

Semester:  Spring 2008

Instructor:  Dr. E. Michael Harrington

Instructor Contact: Office: MBC 244  Phone 615-460-5473  Email:  emh666@aol.com

Instructor Office Hours:  TBA

Course Credit: 3 Hrs.

Meeting Times:

Final Exam:

Spring 2008 Final Exam Schedule

Days      Times

Wednesday April 30

Thursday

May 1

Friday

May 2

Monday

May 5

Tuesday

May 6

Wednesday May 7

8:00 am

Prep time

Class start

time 8:00-

8:30 TR

8:00 MWF

9:00 MWF

9:30 TR;

9:00 TR

no exams

11:00 am

Prep time

11:00 MWF

12:30 TR;

12:00 TR

11:00 TR

12:00 MWF

Graduating

Senior grades

due at noon

2:00 pm

Prep time

2:00 TR;

2:00 R only

1:00 MWF

2:00 MWF;

2:00 M only

3:30 TR;

2:00 T only

no exams

5:00 pm

5:30 W only

Class start time

4:00-5:30 TR;

5:30 R only

3:00 MWF;

2:00 W only

Class start time

4:00-5:30 MW;

5:30 M only

5:30 T only

Exams nototherwisescheduled

no exams

7:00 pm

Class start time

6:00-7:00 W only

Class start time

6:00-7:00 R only

no exams

Class start time

6:00-7:00 M only

Class start time

6:00-7:00 T only

no exams

 

Educational Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business: 1) To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise and entrepreneurship.  2) To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments. 3) To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

Course Description:  This course is a general overview and a study of the major functional areas of the music business. Attention is given to the theoretical foundations and practical application of current business practices in the music industry including supporting organizations and the revenue flow from music consumer to creator.”www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2007jun/cemb/courses.html .)

Learning Outcomes:  Students will synthesize all course outcomes through demonstrated understanding of common business practices related to the systemic study of music business environment and related topics through homework, quizzes, and a student driven research project.

Performance Criteria: After completion of the course students’ should be able to:

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.

Course Requirements:

A.  Class AttendanceBelmont University is committed to the idea that regular class attendance is essential to successful scholastic achievement.  When the number of absences for any reason exceeds four times the number of scheduled class meetings per week (25% of meetings during summer term), the student is involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of “WF” – Belmont University Catalog. 

Class attendance is very important as class discussions and lecture material are central to the course.  Students are expected to be present when class begins and remain in class until its conclusion. Attendance for each class will be taken.

Arriving late or leaving early is considered a 0.5 absence, and WILL be factored into the student’s grade. 

Attending less than 25 minutes of a class meeting is considered 1.0 absence.

A student who arrives late for class, or leaves early, must inform the professor of his/her attendance on that day, otherwise the attendance record will indicate that the student missed 1.0 class instead of 0.5 class.

8.5 absences (or more) WILL result in a grade of “F.”   This policy applies to all students, including seniors who expect to graduate.

Students who arrive late on the day when a quiz is given will not be allowed to take the quiz.

 

Cell phone/computer/PDA policy:

Students may use a personal computer in class to take notes, but NOT to surf the Internet, read/write email, etc.  PDA’s can only be used to take notes  - Internet use with PDA’s is also forbidden.

Cell phones MUST be turned off in class. 

Headphones/earbuds cannot be used or worn in class.

 

B.  Materials/Textbooks:

Off the Record: How the Music Business Really Works by Larry Wacholtz Ph.D., Copyright 2008 Thumbs Up Publishing

All You Need to Know about the Music Business by Donald S. Passman, 6th edition, Simon & Schuster Free Press, 2006- ISBN 13:978-0-7432-9318-1.

C.  Assignments:

Homework: There will be homework and assignments.

Industry Interview: Each student is required to complete an interview with an individual who works in the music and/or entertainment industry.  The interview should not be recorded but typed and submitted in hard copy (not via email) to the professor at the beginning of the last class on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.

Industry participation (visits): Each student is required to attend two music business/entertainment industry functions.  Examples include a recording session in Middle Tennessee, a taping for CMT or GAC, an off-campus concert, songwriter’s workshop, etc.   Note: The interview and visit are factored into the “quizzes/assignments” part of the student’s grade.

Testing/Quizzes/Assignments (100%):

(A) Exams (5): 4 chapter/section exams and one final exam will be given. Exams primarily cover lecture and all readings, material, video, or any content assigned or discussed in class. Each exam is scored for 100 points and is comprised of 50 or more questions consisting of multiple choice/essay/short answer, or any combination thereof.  Final exam is typically 100 comprehensive questions (or more) in accordance with the final exam schedule at the assigned time and place—NO FINAL EXAM will be given at any earlier time.

(B) There are NO MAKE UP EXAMS for any tests. At the professor’s discretion, students with a test absence will have the final exam count double, triple or more: depending on the number of missed exams. An exception is made for official Belmont University Absences.  Students may be tested on any portion of material presented in readings, website or lecture at professor’s discretion.

Grading:              

Test 1:                                                    17%

Test 2:                                                    17%

Test 3:                                                    17%

Test 4:                                                    17%

Final Exam:                                          22%

Quizzes/Assignments:                         10%

               

 

                A+ =       95 – 100,               A   =        92 – 94                  A-  =       89  - 91

                B+ =       87 – 88                  B   =        83 – 86                  B-  =       79 – 82

                C+ =       77 – 78                  C   =        73 – 76                  C-  =       69 – 72

                D+ =       67 – 68                  D   =        63 – 66                  D-  =       60 – 62                  F    =       0   - 59

 

Changes in Syllabus:  In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the professor reserves the right to deviate from the syllabus.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE (Subject to change)  

Week 1

Greetings, Overview of course expectations.

Creative System

          Recording Artist/Musicians

          Record Producers

          Audio Engineers

Entertainment as Communication Theories

     Business System/Gross income (size) of the industry

          Music Publishers

          Record Studios

          Promotion

          Publicists

          Artist Managers

          Concert Promoters

          Booking Agents/Talent Agents

          Promotion

          Concert Promoters

          The Mass Media

          The Click Media

          Entertainment as a business model

           Songwriting/Music Publishing Revenue Stream

           Label Revenue Stream

           Event/Management Revenue Stream

Associated Careers

          Consumers

Provide summary and study guide

Week 2

              Original works or authorship/Categories

Historical Perspective

          Statute of Anne

          United States Constitution

               Article 1, Section 8

               Exclusive Rights

                    Reproduction

                    Prepare Derivative Works

                    Distribute

                    Perform the Work Publicly

                    Display the Work Publicly

                    Digital Audio Transmission

Types of Copyright Ownership

          Authorship/Ownership

          Works Made for Hire

         A Contribution to a collective Work

         Transfer of Ownership

PhonoRecords

Sound Recordings

Act of 1790

Act of 1831

Act of 1909

Act of 1976

Act of 1992

Act of 1993

 Week 3

Act of 1995

Act of 1997

Acts of 1998/   The DMCA

     The Fairness in Music Licensing Act

     Sonny Bono CTEA

Supreme Court Decision on Peer-to-Peer File Sharing

Act of 2004

Notice of Intention

Neighboring Rights

Geneva

Geneva Phonograms Convention

Paris

Brussels

The Berne Convention

The WTO and WIPO

Not Protected

Poor Man’s Copyright

A Work for Hire

Authorship

Fixation Process

Publication

The United States Copyright Office

Certificate of Registration

Registration Process

Electronic Registration

Copyright Registration Forms

     TX

     SE

     PA

     VA

     SR

Collaboration Team

Co-songwriting

Musical Arrangements

Sampling

Fair Use Rights

Compulsory License

Recapturing Assigned copyrights

Key Definitions

Provide Summary and Study Guide

 Week 4

      TEST # 1

      Review of Test #1

The Song Business

Historical Perspective

Professional Songwriting Organizations

     SGA

     NSAI

Songwriting as a Profession

Pitching Songs to Music Publishers

Career Song

What to “Look For” in a Music Publisher

Week 5

What Publishers “Look For” in Songwriters

The National Music Publisher Association

Types of Music Publishers

     Major Publishers

     Independent Publishers

     Specialty Publishers

     Foreign Publishers

     Vanity Publishers

Departments

     Acquisitions

     Legal

     Administrative

     Payroll

     Creative

Splits and Shares

Value of Copyright Ownership

Business Equity of the Copyright

Single Song Contracts

Types of Deals

     A Work-for-Hire

     Staff Writer

     Co-Publishing

     Sub-Publishing

     Shark Deal

Certificate of Registration

Certificate of Recordation

Licenses

     Mechanical

     Sync

     Blanket

     Print

     Transcription

Artist Line

The Harry Fox Agency

Mechanical Licenses

Holds and First Use Rights

The Statutory Rate for Mechanical Licenses

The Exception-the Compulsory License

Cover Tune Mechanicals - Compulsory License

Foreign Mechanical Royalties

Indirect Royalty “Splits”

Week 6

Memorandum Opinion on Ringtones

SoundScan

Sync (Synchronization) License

Performance Rights Organizations

     ASCAP

     BMI

     SESAC

Affiliation

Blanket License

Blanket License Fees

Direct Payments

Collection Procedures

The Fairness in Music Licensing Act

In The Pipeline

Payment Rates and Schedules

Print License

Transcription License

Best Efforts

Termination of Contract

Reassignment Process

Single Song Contract Negotiation Points

Elements of Contractual Negotiation

Key Music Publishing Terms

         Provide Summary and Study Guide

Week 7

TEST #2

Review of Test #2

Mega Entertainment Industry Companies

Historical Perspectives

     Sony BMG

     EMI

     Warner

     Vivendi/Universal

Divisions

Major Labels

Important Record Labels

     Columbia

     RCA Records

     Capitol Records

     Warner Bros.

     Motown Records

Types of Labels

     Major Labels

     Affiliate Labels

     Independent Labels

     Vanity Labels

     Specialty and Virtual Reality labels

Label Administrative Structure

Creative/Business Milieu

What Artists look for in Labels

What Labels look for in Artists

Getting Noticed

Digital Discovery

Showcases

Pitch Memo

Deal Memo

Week 8

Types of Deals

     Major

     Development Deals

     Indie

     Vanity

     The Shark Deal

Key Contact Points

     Accounts

     Advances

     Audits

     Commitment  Album

     Controlled Composition Clause

     Copyright Owner

     Cross Collateralization

Delivery Date

Digital Download Financials

Exclusivity

Formula

Name and Likeness

Platform Financials (CDs)

Product

Royalty Points and Packaging Fees

Week 9

Recoupment

Recording Label Breakeven Points

Recording Label Profits

Marketing Plans

     Promotion/Publicity

Placement Distribution

     One-Stops

     Mass Merchandisers

     Rack Jobbers

     Record Clubs

     P.I. Advertising

     Internet Websites

     Cell Phones/PDA's

Executive Administration

     Chairperson of the Board/Chief Executive Officer

     Legal

     Personnel/Payroll

     Artists and Repertoire (A&R)

           Creative

          Administrative

     Development

          Creative Development

          Artist Development

          Product Development

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

Summary and Study Guide

Week 10

The Studio business

Recording Variables

The Recording Team

      Record/Session Producers

      Independent Producers

     Record Label Staff Producers

     Major Independent Producers

     Garage/Jam Band Musicians

     Working Musicians

     Road Musicians and Event Artists

     Recording Artists

     Studio Musicians

     Virtuosos

     Audio Engineers

     Entry-Level Audio Engineers

     Second Engineers

     Staff Engineers

     Major Artist Engineers

     Royalty Artist

     BGV's Background Vocalists

Types of Recording Studios

     Master Studios

     Project Studios

     Demo Studios

     Post Production Studios

     Computer Based Studio

Scheduling Sessions

Unions

     AFTRA

     AF of M

Types of Sessions

     A.F. of M. Recording Scales

     A.F.T.R.A. Recording Scales

Non-Union Recording Sessions

Stages of a Recording Session

     Pre-Production

     Basic Tracks

     Overdubbing

     Mixdown

     Mastering

Recording Budget Chart

Recording Budgets

Production Budget and Digital Storage Fee

Lowering The Cost of Production

Computer based Recording Budget

Key Studio Terms & Equipment:

Additional Studio Terms and Definitions

Summary and Study Guide

Week 11

TEST # 3

Review of Test # 3

The Event business

Non-Label Artists

The Business of Fame

Selecting a Manager

Management Team

Booking Agents

Attorneys

Business Financial Managers

Road Managers

Promotion

Publicity

Public Relations

Electronic Press Kits and Bio’s

TV Appearances

Publicity Budgets

 Week 12

Management Duties

Non-Management Duties

Artist-Manager Relationship

Power of Attorney Agreement

Commissions

Contracts/Termination of Contract

Stage Names

Tour Support

Promoters

Bid Sheets

Concert Promotion Process

Virtual Corporations

Deposits

Profit Margins

Guarantees and Splits

Sponsoring Radio Station

Risky Business

Merchandise

Rider

IATSE

Roadies

Ticketmaster

Serious Music Market

Pollstar & Soundscan

Billboard Magazine

Week 13

New Business Models

     Music as a Public Utility

     Free Music

     Artist as a Free Agent

     The Current System

Key Artist Management Contractual Terms

Key Management and Concert Promotion Terms

Summary and Study Guide

Week 14

Create a Local Buzz

Start in the Mail Room

Education and Internships

Image

Shameless Self-Promotion

Types of Businesses

     Sole Proprietorship

     Partnerships

     Various Types of Corporations

Entrepreneurship

Revenue Streams

     Songwriting, Music Publishing Revenue Stream

     Record Label Revenue Stream

     Management, Touring Revenue Stream

Capturing Emotions as Sellable Products

Launching the Products

Event Marketing

Week 15

TEST # 4

Review of Test # 4

CHANGE-The Only Thing that is Constant

New Business Models

     Discovery-Local Market Management/Levels of Success

     The Machine-Mega’s/Labels/360 Deals

     Super Star/Entrepreneurship-Image Exploitation-Management

           Distribution Deals

Summary and Review for Final Exam