The Music Industry (MI) major is exciting, dynamic and challenging. Our graduates have found positions in music marketing, venue management, publishing, retail, fund-raising and many other areas. There are plenty of business opportunities today for people with training and passion. Please consider these FAQs carefully before requesting a conversation with a faculty advisor.
Yes. You will be evaluated on music reading skills, theory, notation, performance and other aspects of professional musicianship. You will perform with ensembles. You will take courses and lessons to assist your development, but it's very challenging to succeed from a "cold start"—with no background in musical training—even if you have natural talent and a good ear.
If you need extra assistance, we can recommend a private study plan that can get you started before you arrive at Minnesota State University.
Plan to be a serious student. You will be in music classes with students who are full-time music majors, you will be in business classes with students who are full-time business majors, and you must master some music technology skills, too. When you graduate, you will be a "triple-threat," but it takes dedication to develop all three areas.
Plenty! As a performer, you will have lessons on your instrument plus seven semesters of ensemble experience (four semesters in the Audio Recording Specialist program). On the business side, you will start with a core of music business courses that stress real-world application. In addition, you will also have a set of practical experiences, projects, and an internship that will develop your skills for handling different tasks, clients and situations.
Certainly. In the Bachelor of Science in Music Industry (BSMI) degree you will have a range of business minors to choose from to help you meet your personal goals. In your ensemble work, you can choose from a variety of musical styles. With your internship and practical MI projects (see 3 above) you are free to go in almost any direction, provided that your proposals meet the rigor appropriate for this degree.
You should choose the BSMI Audio Recording Specialist degree program. Other programs are not designed to give you all the digital software/hardware training that you need to succeed as an engineer.
Anything is possible, but these specific results are unlikely. The major label record business is in serious financial trouble, with little chance of that changing. But the industry is re-inventing itself in a very exciting way, possibly with small labels ("indies") leading the change. If you have the spirit of an entrepreneur, you might be able to help shape that new direction.
There are more fulfilling opportunities that ever in the music business (as opposed to the record business). Live concerts, publishing, promotion, marketing, licensing, web design, audience building, fundraising, management and many other areas are quite viable. We will help qualify you for any of these pursuits.
Your best option is a five-year approach, where the first year is devoted primarily to developing music literacy and music performance skills, through off-campus private music study, and MSU online theory study. Those skills are essential to prepare you for auditioning for admission into music studies in your second year. You can also immediately enroll in MUS 185, Foundations in Music Industry, in which you will explore career options in the industry.
Please read the Music Industry - Getting Started Guide. Then, if MI seems right for you, I recommend enrolling in MUS 185—Foundations of Music Industry—a great place to start!
