MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course # / Title: |
MBU4820 – Artist Management |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3 Semester Hours |
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Semester: |
SPRING 2009 |
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Instructor: |
J. Rush Hicks |
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Instructor Contacts: |
Massey Rm. 223; 460-6473 (office); hicksr@mail.belmont.edu |
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Instructor Office Hours: |
Posted on the Door |
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Class Location: |
Massey College of Business, Room 204 |
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Meeting Time(s): |
Tuesday/Thursday 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm |
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Final Exam: |
Thursday, May 7, 2009 @ 2PM |
Course Description: Prerequisites: MBU 3450, MBU 3520, MGT 3110. An analysis of the various aspects of artist management including talent agencies, personal management, performance and recording contracts, tours and artist promotion.
Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students shall be able to:
ú Identify and explain the roles of the various parties that assist the recording artist in their career, including the personal manager, booking agent, tour manager, business manager, publicist, record label, attorney and accountant.
ú Contrast the different business entities and how they function.
ú Describe the typical day-to-day activities of an artist and business manager.
ú Analyze how teamwork helps the recording artist achieve success.
Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:
ú Identify and distinguish between personal managers, business managers, tour managers and booking agencies.
ú Explain how the recording artist can secure a recording contract.
ú Describe the role of the manager in assisting the artist to achieve a successful career.
ú Illustrate the job functions of the tour manager, publicist, label, promoter, booking agent, attorney and business manager.
ú Examine different kinds of business entities and how they can benefit the artist.
ú Compare and contrast the complexities of dealing with a band rather than a solo artist.
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:
ú Exam questions covering terminology, concepts, and application of concepts (requiring you to apply what you have learned rather than merely repeating it) based on class lecture/discussion and assigned readings.
ú Participation in a group project.
ú A comprehensive written final exam covering terminology, concepts, and application of concepts based on class lecture/discussion and assigned readings.
Testing & Assignments: There will be 3 exams (not including the final exam) given throughout the semester. In accordance with CEMB policy, make-up exams are not allowed. The final exam is mandatory. The final exam will be comprehensive as required by CEMB policy and will take place on the date specified by Belmont University. UNIVERSITY POLICY DOES NOT ALLOW THE INSTRUCTOR TO CHANGE FINAL EXAM DATES AND ANY EXCEPTIONS MUST BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY THE PROVOST.
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Activity |
Credit |
Purpose/Description |
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1. Exams (3 @ 20% each plus a comprehensive final @ 20%) |
80 % |
Exams will consist of some or all of the following types of questions: multiple-choice, true/false, matching, short answer, short essay. Questions will assess the student’s basic comprehension and application of information covered in class and assigned reading material. |
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2. Manager Interview |
10 % |
Paper in an interview format then present to class |
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3. Group Project |
10 % |
Research and participate in a group project involving the artist management relationship between Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley |
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. As provided by the Undergraduate Bulletin: “When the number of absences for any reason exceeds four times the number of scheduled class meetings per week, a student will be involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of WF.” If you are not present at the beginning of class when attendance is taken, you will be counted as absent. You do not need to inform me of the reason for absences and it is solely your responsibility to keep up with your absences. Absences can only be excused in writing by the Provost (professors do not have authority to excuse absences). Please do not ask me how many absences you have during the semester since I do not total absences until after the last class session.
Materials: No text book, however reading materials will be made available online and/or in class.
Group Project: We will closely examine the relationship between Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley. Each student (or the student’s group) will be expected to research and present a report to the class involving a particular period of time in Elvis’ career, i.e., mid-to-late 50s, movie career in the early to mid-60s, come-back in the late 60 and early 70s, his death and any estate issues.
Manager Interview: Each student will meet with an artist’s personal manager and have the manager answer the following questions. You will also present an oral presentation to the class.
What is your background (education and experience)?
How did you get your start in the music business?
Which artists have you worked with in the part and who do you work with now?
If you work or have worked with a group, describe the differences between a group and a solo artist.
Describe your activities on a daily basis.
How do you view the future (technology and business models) in this industry?
Grade Evaluation: As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:
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Grade |
Percent (GPA) |
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A |
94 (4.0) |
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A- |
90 (3.7) |
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B+ |
87 (3.3) |
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B |
84 (3.0) |
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B- |
80 (2.7) |
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C+ |
77 (2.3) |
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C |
74 (2.0) |
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C- |
70 (1.7) |
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Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major. |
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D+ |
67 |
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D |
64 |
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D- |
60 |
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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.”
Electronic Device Policy: The use of electronic devices, including computers, cell phones, Ipods, etc is prohibited.
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: The following is a tentative schedule, which may be modified somewhat during the course of the semester.
Week 1 Basics of Artist Management
Week 2 What is Talent and is It Important
Week 3 Launching the Artist’s Career
Week 4 Finding a Manager/Finding an Artist
TEST 1
Week 5 Manager Interview
Weeks 6 and 7 Contract Terms of an Artist Management Agreement
SPRING BREAK March 9 – 13, 2009
Week 8 Contract Terms (con’t)
TEST 2
Week 9 Professional Support Team (attorneys, business managers, agents)
Week 10 Getting a Record Deal and is It Still Important?
Week 11 Review of Various Business Entities Used by the Artist
Week 12 New Business Models in the Music Industry
TEST 3
Week 13 Managing the Artist’s Tour
Week 14 Handling the Artist’s Money/Global Perspectives of the Industry
Week 15 Presentation of Elvis Project
5/7/2009 Final Exam @ 2PM