MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:                       Music Publishing

Course #:                             MBU 3450.05

Credit Hrs:                           3             

Semester:                           Spring 2009

Meeting Times:                                6:30pm – 9:15pm Wednesdays 

Class Location:                   MC 204                

Final Exam:                         May 6th @ 7:00pm                                                                         

Professor:                           Marty Wheeler               

Contact Info:                      Phone:  400-5849             Email: martywheeler@comcast.net

Office Location                  510A East Iris Dr. in Berry Hill (Call or E-Mail for meeting)

 

Course Description:

 

A study of music publishing.  The course deals with contracts, foreign publishing, catalog development, setting up a publishing company, demo sessions and licensing.

 

Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

·         Explain what music publishers do

·         Explain the revenue streams of music publishers

·         Identify the major tenets of songwriter contracts

·         Explain the creative and administrative tasks of music publishers

·         Discuss how musical works are exploited

·         Explain how musical works are licensed

·         Compare the Performing Rights Organizations in the U.S.

 

Performance Tasks: Students this course, the student will:

·         Describe the income streams of music publishers

·         Identity the major global music publishers

·         Describe how musical works are licensed by music publishers

·         Differentiate between single song and exclusive songwriter contracts

·         Describe how music publishers secure uses of their copyrights

·         Solve research problems through the application of music publishing industry methods.

·         Demonstrate the methods utilized by the Performing Rights Organizations to collect and distribute performance royalties

 

Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

·         Written responses comprising short answer and original short-form essays

·         True and False and multiple-choice tests

·         Written analysis of original research of music publishing issues

·         Verbal presentation of research findings

·         Group discussion of music publishing licensing and legal issues

 

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

Activity

Credit

Purpose/Description

1. Comprehensive Tests (3)

Test 1= 20%

Test 2= 30%

FINAL= 35%

Based on reading assignments, lectures, assigned websites, comprehensive tests will asses the depth of knowledge of the base topic. Each test is comprised of True & False and multiple choice questions. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN

 

3.  Research Reports (3)

 

15 % Total

(5% each)

Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Research Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under Class Schedule.  The combined 3 reports are worth 20% of your grade. Each report must include one article relating to some aspect of music publishing stapled to a one to two page typed analysis of the article written by the student. Suggested print and online sources include Billboard, Radio & Records, Music Row, The Tennessean, Hollywood Reporter and Variety. 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. These reports will assess the student’s ability to identify and explain the activities of music publishers and the current issues they are facing. 

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

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 include your name.

6) MUST NOT BE LATE. 

These reports will be discussed in class

 

Course & Classroom Policies:

 

Attendance & Participation:  Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.

 

Cell Phones and Computers:            All cell phones; ipods and other hand-held electronics devices must be turned off during class. Computers are permitted in the classroom for note taking only.

 

Materials:

 

 1. Music, Money and Success by Jeffrey & Todd Brabec, 6th Edition, Schirmer Books.

 2. Websites listed on class schedules

 

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

 

 

 

Percent (GPA)

A

94 (4.0)

A-

90 (3.7)

B+

87 (3.3)

B

84 (3.0)

B-

80 (2.7)

C+

77 (2.3)

C

74 (2.0)

C-

70 (1.7)

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

D+

67

D

64

D-

60

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

 

Wed.    Jan. 14            Introduction/class syllabus

                                    Music Publishing History

Wed.    Jan. 21            Music Publishers and What They Do                        Read pages 1-11

                                    Inner Workings of a Music Publisher

                                    Songwriter-Music Publisher Relationship

                                    Income sources for Publishers                      Read pages 30-56     

                                    Deal proposals/Songwriter contracts             Read Chapter 2         

Wed.    Jan. 28            Songwriter contract analysis

                                    Co-Publishing and Administration                  Research #1 Due

                                    Co-Ventures and Joint Ventures                    Read Chapter 3

Wed.    Feb. 04            Copyright Law                                                 Read Chapter 4

                                    Recording Artist Publishing Agreements       Read Chapter 5

                                    Print Licensing                                                www.ccli.com

                                    Mechanical Licensing                                     pages 85-486

Wed.    Feb. 11            Test 1

                                    Performing Rights Organizations                   Read Chapter 10

                                    ASCAP                                                           www.ascap.com

Wed.    Feb. 18            BMI                                                                 www.bmi.com

                                    SESAC                                                           www.sesac.com

Wed.    Feb. 25            Sampling                                                         Read Chapter 6         

Wed.    Mar. 04            Test 2 (MID TERM)

Wed.    Mar. 11            SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

Wed.    Mar. 18            Television, Motion Pictures                            Read Chp. 7, 8 & 9

                                    Commercials (Synch)

                                    Television, Motion Pictures                            Research # 2 Due

                                    Commercials (Licensing)                               Read pgs 468-478

Wed.    Mar. 25            Great Songs Day/Listening                            Bring a great song

                                    SubPublishing (www.wipo.org)                      Read Chapter 13

Wed.    Apr. 01                        Putting It All Together                                     Read Chapter 14

                                    Royalty Accounting   

                                    Songplugging 

Wed.    Apr. 08                        Catalog Acquisition                                         Read Chapter 15

Wed.    Apr. 15                        Broadway (Grand Rights)                              Read Chp 11 & 12

                                    Internet, Video Games -                                

                                    Cell Phones, and New Media                         Read pages 481-484

Demos                                                                        Research # 3 Due

                                    Demo Budgets & planning - AFM                 
                                    Catalog exploitation               

Wed.    Apr. 22                        Starting a Publishing Company

                                    Marketing strategies for Music Publishers

Wed.    Apr. 29                        Last Day of Class/Review for Final

Wed.    May 06            FINAL EXAM @ 7:00PM

               

 

 

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