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 VSU’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, film makers, and other content creators to utilize these facilities for their coursework as well as their personal and professional creative projects. Students in this concentration also have the opportunity to earn professional software certifications in the Pro Tools DAW software, such as the Avid Certified User: Pro Tools and Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools (Post-Production) certifications. Audio Production students typically pursue careers in audio and music recording, mixing, and production as well as post-production and live sound.
Management Concentration:
The Music Management concentration, which is highly integrated with VTSU’s Business, Accounting, and Management department, provides students with essential training and instruction in the practical, legal, financial, and marketing aspects of the music and entertainment industries. Students explore the concepts and skills needed for a successful career in artist and tour management, music publishing, marketing, distribution, venue management, promotion, and event production. In addition to the coursework, the Music Management concentration facilitates the expertise and hands-on experience crucial for pursuing careers through student run clubs and programs, including participation in the campus record label and the production of a full-scale music festival hosted on campus each spring. Music Management students often pursue an additional minor in Business Marketing or an associate degree in Business Administration.
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.
