BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: Music Publishing

Course #: MBU 3450 03&04 Credit Hrs: 3 Semester: Fall 2005

Class Location: MBC 109 & 200B Meeting Time(s): T/TH 3:30pm & T/TH 5:00pm

Final Exam: tba

Instructor: Marty Wheeler

Contacts: Assistant = Leslie Linebaugh Phone: 261-3349 Email: mwheeler@brentwoodbenson.com

For Updated Syllabus Schedule and Study Information visit: www.wheelerwebsite.com/belmont/index.htm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A study of music publishing. The course deals with contracts, music licensing, performance rights organizations, catalog development, catalog acquisition, sub-publishing, internet revenues, new technologies relating to songs and other activities conducted by music publishers.

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, 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 from the perspective of the Music Publisher, the non-artist songwriter and the artist songwriter.

4. Should have a good understanding of the latest copyright issues and how it relates to the Music Publisher and the Songwriter.

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 education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

· To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.

· To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical 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: As per the current Undergraduate Bulletin. 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.

2. Materials: Music, Money and Success by Jeffrey & Todd Brabec

3. Participation and Prepared assignments:

Research Reports: Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Research Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under Class Schedule. Each report must include one article relating to some aspect of music publishing stapled to a one-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. These reports may be discussed in class. Suggested print sources include Billboard, Radio & Records, Music Row, CCM Update, the Tennessean, Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Articles relating to music publishing from the Internet are also permitted. NO REPORTS ACCEPTED LATE.

4. Testing:

3 tests will be given in the class on the dates stated under class schedule. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.

The Final Exam will be comprehensive.

5. Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin. Participation credits are listed below:

% of Grade

3 Research Papers (5% each) 15%

Test #1 20%

Mid Term 30%

Final 35%

TOTAL 100%

Grading scale: 97-100=A+, 93-96=A, 90-92=A-, 87-89=B+, 83-86=B, 80-82=B-, 76-79=C+, 73-76=C, 70-72=C-, 67-69=D+, 63-66=D, 60-62=D-, 0-59=F

For Updated Syllabus Schedule and Study Information visit: www.wheelerwebsite.com/belmont/index.htm

Class Schedule:

Thu 08/25 Introduction – Market Analysis

Tue 08/30 Music Publishing History

Thu 09/01 Publishing functions / Income Sources -Read pages 1-11

Tue 09/06 Income Sources / Mechanical Calculations -Read pages 28-52

Thu 09/08 Mechanical Royalties -Research # 1 Due

Tue 09/13 Copyright Overview -Read Chapter 11

Thu 09/15 TBA

Tue 09/20 Great Songs / Listening -Bring a great song!

Thu 09/22 Copyright Overview / Controlled Comp. & Calculations

Tue 09/27 Test 1 - (Covers Mechanical Calculations Only)

Thu 09/29 Deal Memo’s -Read pages 13-28

Tue 10/04 Contracts

Thu 10/06 Contracts – Review for Mid Term

Tue 10/11 Mid Term

Thu 10/13 Fall Break (No Class)

Tue 10/18 Intro to PRO’s / ASCAP ascap.com

Thu 10/20 BMI / SESAC bmi.com, sesac.com

Tue 10/25 TBA – (P.R.O. Guest)

Thu 10/27 TBA – (P.R.O. Guest)

Tue 11/01 Licensing (Mechanicals & HFA) -Research 2 Due/Read Chap. 4

Thu 11/03 Licensing (Synch – Movies/Commercials/TV) -Read Chap. 5 & 6

Tue 11/08 Movie Song Casting -Bring Music for scene

Thu 11/10 Sub-Publishing -Read Chapter 9

Tue 11/15 Internet / Streaming / Downloading

Thu 11/17 Catalog Acquisitions -Read Chapter 10

Tue 11/22 TBA – (Songwriters)

Thu 11/24 Thanksgiving Break

Tue 11/29 Song Demos / Song Plugging / Creative -Research 3 Due

Thu 12/01 TBA

Tue 12/06 Review for exam

TBA Final Exam