Music Business Program
The Music Business Program at Lebanon Valley College is recognized by professionals
in the music industry as an established and impressive program. The synergy between
the Music Business and Music Recording Technology
programs provides a unique setting in which those who will market music products are in classes with those who will create the music product. The yearly Music Industry Conference
(MIC-LVC), created and hosted by music business majors, attracts professionals
and speakers from as far away as Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City.
The entertainment industry is one of the largest industries worldwide. Next to the
film industry, the music industry represents the largest component of the entertainment
industry. Publishing, marketing, musical instrument sales, record companies, copyrights,
management, music production, evolving Internet opportunities, and other components
of the music industry are explored in the program. Wherever music is created
or heard, there exists employment opportunities.
The Music Business Program, hosted jointly by the music
department and the business and economics
department, is a true interdisciplinary venture designed to create motivated individuals
who understand the creation and marketing components of the music industry. The
program is housed in the Department of Music and results in a bachelor of arts degree
with an emphasis in music business. Music business majors study not only the components
of the music industry, but also study to better understand and perform music in
a true liberal arts environment.
Many music business majors double major in music business and digital communications. This prepares them for the music industry, both current and in the future.
On-campus organizations such as MISA (Music Industry Student Association), AES (Audio
Engineering Society), NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International), and the WLVC radio station allow opportunities to network,
apply learned skills, and interface with the professional music industry.
Classes in music, business, and economics, combined with internship experience, and
the natural synergy with the Music Recording Technology Program, result in a unique and effective
educational experience focusing on the music industry.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts: emphasis in music business
Required courses:
ACT 161 Financial Accounting| Basic concepts of accounting including: accounting for business transactions, preparation and use of financial statements, and measurement of owners' equity. 3 credits. |
| Cost-volume-profit relationships, cost analysis, business segment contribution, profit planning and budgeting as a basis for managerial decision making. Prerequisite: ACT 161 with a minimum grade of C- or better. 3 credits. |
| A study of the principles of management and leadership as they apply to the effective and efficient operation of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations regardless of their size. Emphasizes the organization's structure, leadership, interpersonal relationships, managerial functions, and methods for assessment and control. Prerequisite: BUS 130 or MBS 371 (or concurrent registration in MBS 371), or, for returning adult, degree completion students, and health care management students, significant work experience. Accounting, business administration, and health care management majors need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| The development of writing, speaking, and listening skills for business management. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: ENG 111 and 112. Majors in accounting, business administration, and health care management need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| Elementary principles of law relating to the field of business. The course covers contracts, government regulation of business, consumer protection, bankruptcy, personal property, real estate, bailments, insurance and estates. 3 credits. |
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MBS 179 Music Business Colloquium| A first-year through senior-level course for all music business majors. The class is a forum for speakers from the industry and returning summer MBS interns to discuss current events in the music industry. The class is the catalyst for the design and facilitation of the annual music industry conference (LVC-MIC) held each fall. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: music business major or permission. 1 credit. |
| This course examines how the music business operates, delving into a wide range of issues and areas, such as publishing, record labels, retail, distribution, market research, agents and managers, and current issues in the industry. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. 3 credits. |
| An in-depth examination of publishing and recording contracts, music copyright law, and music licensing. Prerequisite: MBS 371 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| This course for music business majors explores entrepreneurship in the music industry. The class revolves around the creation of a practical music business and an accompanying detailed business plan that is submitted to a participating financial institution for review. Student teams also engage with actual music businesses to provide marketing, distribution, research, and other services. The class discusses techniques and practices of management, operations, marketing, and other skills needed to run a successful music business. Prerequisites: MBS 371 and 372 (taken in the sophomore year), or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
MBS 400
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MSC 099 Recital Attendance| Designed for music majors and minors and graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Music core course. Graded pass/fail. May be repeated. 0 credits. |
| A study of the rudiments of music and their notation. Harmonization of melodies and basses with fundamental triads. Aspects of form and analysis. Music core course. Prerequisite: audition for admission or permission of the instructor. 2 credits. |
| A study of diatonic tonal harmony, including all triads and seventh chords, nonharmonic material and elementary modulation. Aspects of form and analysis. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 115 or permission of the instructor. 2 credits. |
| The singing and aural recognition of intervals, scales, triads and simple harmonic progressions. Music core course. Prerequisite: audition for admission or permission of the instructor. 2 credits. |
| A continuation of MSC 117, emphasizing clef reading, modality, modulation and more complicated rhythmic devices and harmonic patterns. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 117 or permission of the instructor. 2 credits. |
| One of the central concerns of this course is the ability of music to represent American identity. Of particular interest are the historic contributions of minority peoples, particularly African Americans, to the rich diversity of musical styles in the United States. This course considers the importance of geographic and ethnic origins of a particular musical style as well as the consequences of a market-driven music industry which historically has privileged some people groups over others. Fulfills general education requirement: American Social Diversity.Writing Process. 3 credits. |
| A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from early music through the Baroque era. Music core course. 3 credits. |
| A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from the classical period to the present. Music core course. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 5 (Literature and Fine Art). Prerequisite: MSC 101, MSC 115, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
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MSC 530 Individual Instruction| Voice, Piano, Orchestral and Band Instruments; Jazz studies; theory; composition. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Enrollment restricted to music majors and minors or by permission of the instructor. 1 credit. |
* Four semesters of
MBS 179 Music Business Colloquium| A first-year through senior-level course for all music business majors. The class is a forum for speakers from the industry and returning summer MBS interns to discuss current events in the music industry. The class is the catalyst for the design and facilitation of the annual music industry conference (LVC-MIC) held each fall. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: music business major or permission. 1 credit. |
and eight semesters of
MSC 099 Recital Attendance| Designed for music majors and minors and graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Music core course. Graded pass/fail. May be repeated. 0 credits. |
and 530 are required.
One of:
ECN 101 Principles of Microeconomics| The course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institution of free-market capitalism. Individuals decide how much of their time to spend working and what to buy with the earnings of their labor. Firms decide how much to produce and in some cases what price to charge for their goods. Together these choices determine what is produced, how it is produced, and for whom it is produced in our economic system. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This course extends the study of consumer and producer choices to discover how they affect the nation's economy. Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole as measured by the key variables of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Emphasis is on both Keynesian and classical theories and how they predict what monetary and fiscal policies can be used to affect these variables and reach national economic goals. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| An overview of marketing from the management perspective. Topics include marketing strategies, marketing research, consumer behavior, selecting target markets, developing, pricing, distributing and promoting products and services and non-profit marketing. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission. 3 credits. |
| An exploration of the important technologies related to doing business on the Internet. Topics include e-commerce, advertising, customer support, and business-to-business applications. Emphasis on how businesses implement these technologies, resource requirements, cost-to-benefit analysis. 3 credits. |
MSC 510 Class Piano Instruction I| First course in the sequence designed for music majors with minimal piano skills in preparing for piano proficiency. 1 credit. |
| Second course in the sequence designed for music majors in preparing for piano proficiency. Prerequisite: MSC 510 with a minimum of "C-" or better, or permission of the instructor. 1 credit. |
| Third course in the sequence designed for music majors in preparing for piano proficiency. Prerequisite: MSC 511 with a minimum of "C-" or better, or permission of the instructor. 1 credit. |
| Fourth course in the sequence designed for music majors in preparing for piano proficiency. Prerequisite: MSC 512 with a minimum of "C-" or better, or permission of the instructor. 1 credit. |
| Designed for music majors with minimal vocal skills. Preparation for department voice proficiency requirements. 1 credit. |
Also required is a music ensemble (8 semesters).