Program Description
The Music Business and Industry major at Vermont State University is an innovative program which integrates the studies of music and business. The MBI degree offers three concentrations designed to help students develop and improve knowledge and skills that are essential for a successful career. Our interdisciplinary approach aims to provide rich academic and creative experiences to prepare students for a successful and competitive career in the vibrant and rapidly changing music and entertainment industries.
The MBI program features three distinct concentrations: Audio Production, Music Management, and Music and Self-Promotion. Students may choose the number of concentrations in which they enroll. The curriculum for each concentration strategically includes selected courses from VTSU’s Business, Accounting, and Management department to support the coursework for each concentration. Additionally, students pursing an MBI degree are required to take part in professional internships, relevant to their career goals. MBI students are also encouraged to join and participate in national entertainment industry organizations as well as student-run clubs and programs on campus.
Faculty members for the MBI program are carefully selected based on their music and entertainment career experience as well as their academic profile, ensuring students a well-rounded education based in applicable, professional knowledge in addition to scholarly learning.
Audio Production Concentration:
The Audio Production concentration helps students acquire skills in music production, audio engineering and mixing, and live sound, as well as audio post-production for film, television, streaming, and video games. The VTSU Lyndon campus features professional recording facilities with state-of-the-art technology and Audio Production students are encouraged to collaborate with songwriters, artists, bands, filmmakers, and other content creators to utilize these facilities for their coursework as well as their personal and professional creative projects. Students in this concentration can also earn specialized software certifications in the Pro Tools DAW software, such as the Avid: Pro Tools Specialist certification, Avid: Pro Tools Music Professional and Post-Production Professional certifications.
Management Concentration:
The Music Management concentration offers a focused curriculum integrated with VTSU’s Business program, preparing students for diverse roles in the music and entertainment sectors. Through theoretical exploration and hands-on experiential learning, students develop expertise in music marketing and distribution, artist and tour management, music publishing and event management. Engaging in activities like running the campus record label and organizing the annual Gregg Fest music festival, students gain practical skills. Moreover, students pursuing this concentration will also earn a marketing minor from VTSU’s Business program, equipping them with the creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability necessary for success in the ever-evolving music business.
Music and Self-Promotion Concentration:
The Music and Self-Promotion concentration teaches students the skills necessary for a successful career as a professional musician, focusing on the technique, artistry, and proficiency needed to work as a recording artist, session musician, songwriter, performer, composer, arranger, or musical director. In addition to artist development through private instruction, ensemble collaboration, and performance opportunities, Music and Self Promotion students learn the vital business skills of branding, positioning, and marketing themselves as independent artists or freelance workers. Coursework also includes music technology for audio recording and production as well as business courses in the practical, legal, and financial aspects of the music industry. Students from this concentration often pursue careers such as: songwriter, recording artist, private music instructor, and composer or musical director for video games, commercials, television, radio, movie, stage production, and streaming content.
Program Outcomes
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Critically engage with multiple sectors of the music and entertainment industry.
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Productively respond to the latest rapid music developments.
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Creatively design, produce, and market commercial products based on principles of event management, music production and technology.
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Effectively collaborate to achieve project goals while meeting music and entertainment industry standards.
