Music Business

This degree program lets you pursue your musical aspirations while introducing you to the marketing and financial sides of the music industry. The nation’s oldest music business program is designed for you if you have a music performance background and wish to continue to develop your performing skills.

As a Bradley Music Business graduate, you’ll be equipped for a variety of professional environments that include:

  • arts management
  • music supervision
  • music product industry
  • licensing and copyright
  • artist representation

Preparing You For Success

Like other music degrees, you audition on an instrument or voice, and are considered for music scholarships. Once enrolled, you’ll complete foundational music courses in theory, ear-training, keyboard skills and history while improving your musical skills through applied lessons and ensemble performance. You’ll also learn business basics through courses in sales, accounting, finance and marketing. Music and business converge in your coursework through experiential activities and professional internships.

By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:

  • Studying in Hollywood
  • Traveling in faculty led expeditions to music industry hubs
  • Participating in our student managed Hilltop Studio
  • Gaining experience promoting artists with Brave Sounds Entertainment
  • Interning with music companies and organizations around the country
  • Networking with industry professionals
  • Learning professional recording techniques and software programs

Making Your Mark

Music business degrees lead to careers in arts management, music supervision, artist representation, the music product industry, and licensing and copyright. Recent graduates are working for companies like Yamaha, Paradigm Talent Agency, Universal Music Group and the St. Louis Symphony.

Major Requirements

Required Courses - 66 hrs.

  • Applied Music (min. of 4 semesters) - 8 hrs.
  • Ensemble (Each semester) - 4-8 hrs.
  • MUS 001: Recital lab (Each semester) - 0 hrs.
  • MUS 161: Music Theory I - 2 hrs.
  • MUS 162: Music Theory II - 2 hrs.
  • MUS 163: Elementary Ear-training and Sight Singing - 1 hr.
  • MUS 164: Elementary Ear-training and Sight Singing - 1 hr.
  • MUS 165: Keyboard Skills - 2 hrs.
  • MUS 166: Keyboard Skills - 2 hrs.
  • Two of the following:
    • MUS 380: Western Music to 1750 - 3 hrs.
    • MUS 381: Western Music 1750-Present - 3 hrs.
    • MUS 382: Music & World Cultures - 3 hrs.
    • MUS 383: History of American Music - 3 hrs.
  • MUS 101: Intro to Music Business - 3 hrs.
  • MUS 120: Music Industry Seminar (1) - 4 hrs.
  • MUS 320: Advanced Music Industry Seminar (1) - 2 hrs.
  • MUS 303: Music Products Industry - 3 hrs.
  • MUS 304: Music Licensing and Contracts - 3 hrs.
  • MUS 307: Music Agency and Fine Arts Administration - 3 hrs.
  • CFA 301: Cooperative Education/Internship - 2-6 hrs.
  • ATG 157: Accounting Principles - 3 hrs
  • M L 350: Managing in Organizations - 2 hrs.
  • MTG 315: Principles of Marketing - 3 hrs.
  • FIN 322: Business Finance - 3 hrs.
  • ECO 100: Economics and Contemporary Issues - 3 hrs.
    or ECO 221: Principles of Microeconomics - 3 hrs.
  • MTG 304: Professional Selling - 3 hrs.

Note: 43 of the required 66 hours must be earned through Music coursework.

Courses in the Music Business major may not be used to satisfy the requirements for a minor in the Foster College of Business.