BELMONT UNIVERSITY
MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: Music Publishing
Course #: MBU 3450.11 Credit Hrs: 3 Semester: Summer I
Class Location: MC 414 Meeting Times: M- F 7:30 – 9:15
Final Exam: June 6 @ 7:30
Professor: James I. Elliott Office: Massey 241
Contacts: Phone: 460-5513 Email: elliottj@mail.belmont.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of music publishing. The course deals with contracts, foreign publishing, catalog development, setting up a publishing company, demo sessions and music licensing.
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, internet 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.
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 educational that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.
To equip students with the ability to think critically, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.
To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of 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.”
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance: It is my recommendation that you attend all of the class meetings for the best learning experience. Absence is permitted only in case of illness or family emergencies. For a complete explanation of the attendance policy see the current Belmont University Undergraduate Bulletin.
2 Text: Music, Money and Success by Jeffrey & Todd Brabec, Schirmer Books
3. Participation and Prepared assignments:
Research Reports:
Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Research Reports on the dates stated in the Class Schedule. 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. The paper may be single or double-spaced and should include the date, student name and class section number. These reports will be discussed in class. Suggested print and Web sources include Billboard, Radio & Records, Music Row, The Tennessean, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Music Business International, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. NO REPORTS ACCEPTED LATE. Reports due: June 15, June 27, July 5
4. Tests: 3 tests will be given on the dates listed in the Class Schedule.
5. Basis of grade evaluation: Each test and combined research reports shall carry an equal weight of 25% (25% X 4 = 100%)
Grading scale: 93 – 100 = A, 90 – 92 = A-, 87 – 89 = B+, 83 – 86 = B, 80 – 82 = B-,
77 – 79 = C+, 73 -76 = C, 70 – 72 = C-, 67 – 89 = D, 60 – 62 = D-
Class Schedule:
M June 6 Music Publishing History
T June 7 Copyright overview/Income sources Chapter 1, pgs 28-52
Chapter 11
W June 8 Songwriter Contracts Read pages 9-28
Read pages 106-116
F June 10 Synchronization Licensing for Television Read Chapter 4
M June 13 Test 1
R June 16 Performance Licensing-ASCAP Read Chapter 7/ www.ascap.com
T June 21 Test 2 – Mid Term
W June 22 Grand Rights Read Chapter 8
R June 23 Subpublishing Read Chapter 9
F June 24 Foreign Music Licensing www.nmpa.org. Income survey
M June 27 Discuss Research Research # 2 Due
T June 28 Internet Licensing Read Chapter 17
Print Licensing www.warnerbrospublications.com
www.halleonard.com
W June 29 Catalog Acquisition Read Chapter 10
R June 30 Songplugging/Demos Read Chapter 13
F July 1 Royalty Accounting/Starting Publishing company
M July 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY – NO CLASS
T July 5 Discuss Research/Current Issues/Final Rev. Read Chapters 15-17
Research # 3 due
W July 6 Final Exam