BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:  Music Publishing

Course #:  MBU 3450 02 & 03         Credit Hrs:  3        Semester:  Spring 2006

Class Location:  MC 204 & 209B   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 Guides visit: www.martywheeler.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.  I am very strict on this.  If you miss more than the allowed amount – You WILL Fail this class.    

 

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.   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 as long as it is a reputable source. 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. 

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

1) MUST include your name.

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 NOT be LATE.  I will deduct at least 20 points PER DAY that your report is late.

These reports may be discussed in class

 

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 Guides visit: www.martywheeler.com/belmont/index.htm

 

Class Schedule:

Thu      01/12    Introduction – Market Analysis

Tue      01/17    Music Publishing History

Thu      01/19    Publishing functions / Income Sources                -Read pages 1-11

Tue      01/24    Income Sources / Mechanical Calculations          -Read pages 28-52

Thu      01/26    Mechanical Royalties                                         -Research # 1 Due

Tue      01/31    Copyright Overview                                          -Read Chapter 11

Thu      02/02    TBA

Tue      02/07    Great Songs / Listening                                      -Bring a great song!

Thu      02/09    Copyright Overview / Controlled Comp. & Calculations

Tue      02/14    Test 1 - (Covers Mechanical Calculations Only)                                               

Thu      02/16    Deal Memo’s                                                    -Read pages 13-28

Tue      02/21    Contracts

Thu      02/23    Contracts – Review for Mid Term                                             

Tue      02/28    Mid Term                  

Thu      03/02    Intro to PRO’s / ASCAP                                   ascap.com       

Tue      03/07    SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

Thu      03/09    SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

Tue      03/14    BMI / SESAC                                                   Research #2 Due

Thu      03/16    tba

Tue      03/21    tba

Thu      03/23    Licensing (Mechanicals & HFA)                        - Read Chap. 4

Tue      03/28    Licensing (Synch – Movies/Commercials/TV)     -Read Chap. 5 & 6

Thu      03/30    Movie Song Casting                                           -Bring Music for scene

Tue      04/04    tba

Thu      04/06    Sub-Publishing                                                   -Read Chapter 9

Tue      04/11    Internet / Streaming / Downloading

Thu      04/13    EASTER BREAK – NO CLASS

Tue      04/18    Catalog Acquisitions                                          -Read Chapter 10

Thu      04/20    TBA – (Songwriters)                                         -Research #3 Due

Tue      04/25    Song Demos / Song Plugging / Creative             

Thu      04/27    tba

Tue      05/02    Review for exam

TBA                 Final Exam