82A Careers in Music Tech

Class Description

An overview of the music industry and its career opportunities. Areas of study include studio management and engineering, music merchandising on the local and national levels, artist promotion, concert promotion, concert management, music contracting, graphic support in music recording, the role of the agent/personal manager, technical support in electronic music, technical support in traditional music, video and film production and editing, instrument maintenance and repair, and music retailing. Guest lectures from local industry professionals, field trips to studios, production facilities and retail facilities.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Discuss the diverse parameters of the music industry and their approximate financial impact on the entertainment industry both nationally and internationally
• Synthesize marketing and employment strategies from a set of hypothetical industry scenarios in at least three different areas of the music business
• Detail the various areas of the music industry and discuss both employment opportunities and entry strategies related to them
• Discuss the various multi-cultural markets and sub groups within the music industry

Course Outline

• Introduction to and discussion of the following areas of the music industry:
  • Studio management and engineering
• Music merchandising
  • Instrument merchandising, both electronic and traditional
  • Peripheral merchandising
  • Music sales and production
  • Merchandising and distributing recordings and videos
• Artist and concert promotion
  • Licenses and regulations in California
  • Agents vs. personal managers
• Music technicians
  • Electronic music repair/technical support
  • Computer programming and maintenance in music
• Traditional instrument repair and manufacture
• Music video production and support
  • Basic video production techniques
• Music retailing
  • Local retailing
  • National retailing

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

• When taught on campus:
  • Projection system for video and multimedia content.
  • Basic Sound reinforcement system for in-class performances.
• When taught via Foothill Global Access:
  • On-going access to computer with email software and capabilities.
  • Email address.
  • JavaScript enabled internet browsing software.

Methods of Evaluation

• Written examinations on industry parameters and opportunities.
• Answer questions in essay form using hypothetical industry scenarios and figures.
• Propose career strategies in the music industry.
  • Written business plans.
  • Flow-charted marketing strategies.
• Lab work researching online music merchandising.
  • Equipment retailing (musical instrument hardware and accessories).
  • Software retailing (recording and editing software).
  • Downloadable music options/setup and delivery structure (e.g., file formats).
• Lecture-lab work with guest speakers.
  • Q and A with local partners in education, both in person and in pre-set online interviews (using chat feature when taught online).
  • Q and A with guest artists/performers (using chat feature when taught online).

Method of Instruction

• Lecture
• Discussion
• Laboratory

Lab Content

Lab assignments may include:

• Data and sample rate encoding for audio and video
• Web design for promotion
• Logo design
• Copyright registration
• Service mark searches
• Sample clearance searches
• MP3 tag editing
• Creating sample podcasts, etc.

Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments

• LinkedIn Learning
  • Available free through public libraries
• Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software.
• No other equipment or software required.
• No required textbook.
• Write a review of a concert DVD, taking into consideration the era in which the event took place, and the state of media interaction at the time.
• Read an article from a music trade magazine, and write a review of the article focusing on the media "spin" it contains.