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About the course

About the course

The Bachelor of Music Industry program is the most flexible and innovative music program in Australia. The program is designed to support emerging music professionals across all areas of the industry to work collaboratively, think innovatively, and create their own pathway into industry.   

Students choose one of the six pillars of the music industry as their major. These are: business, composition, music production, performance, song writing, and audio production.  Students then tailor the remaining 50% of their course by choosing from a pool of over sixty subjects. Students can add either two minors, a minor and electives, or just electives to their major study area.   

In addition to the majors and electives, all students undertake a combined common core in the first two years of the program.  This common core focuses on understanding the music industry, looking at the music industry from different perspectives, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, and looking at how to prepare themselves for the future of the music industry.    

The combination of the common-core, majors and minor/electives units prepares the student to undertake their industry mentored capstone project providing them with the perfect transition to the music industry.   

Areas of elective and minor study include: 

  • film and media composition   
  • performance  
  • music business  
  • business innovation   
  • advanced performance
  • songwriting  
  • collaborative songwriting  
  • sound production
  • professional sound
  • game audio
  • beat cypher
  • music production
  • innovation in music creation   
  • creating content for the music industry
  • work placement  

Major in Music Business   

Year 1   

In Semester 1 students will learn about copyright law in the music industry and the rules surrounding the use of music in the public domain through live performance, broadcast, and synchronisation of music in film, TV, gaming and advertising. Copyright law is integral to the use of the primary asset – the songs and compositions, as well as understanding revenue streams and how they are protected in Australia and overseas.    

Students will also learn how to develop and organise live events and touring including budgeting, logistics, incorporating promotional activities, travel and technical personnel. This is a hands-on approach to understanding how to prepare dynamic performances and successful tours.  

In Semester 2, students will look at the commercialisation of music by examining the process of sales, both via streaming and physical formats, live and integrated performances in games and other platforms as well as the many other exploitations (uses) of music in promoting artists, labels, tours and publishing.    

In addition, students will create marketing assets to promote releases, tours and events. This will include social media content and strategies as well as press releases, biographies and other communication assets vital for a successful promotional campaign.   

Year 2   

In Semester 1, students will look at artist management, both self-management and through the development of professional contracts with artists. They will concentrate on the objectives of management, the relevance of live performance, key partnerships, commercial alliances and the importance of managing the artist’s or their own copyright.    

They will also delve into the concepts of design thinking and creative methods for problem solving as well as the importance of analysing and defining methods and tools to develop solutions that adapt to an ever-changing industry that are both ethical and sustainable.   

In Semester 2, students will look at the importance of a social media strategy to the career of artists, labels, management and publishing companies and how effective this strategy is in growing their business interests in the industry. They will follow the development of a diverse range of social media platforms and learn how to integrate these structurally and successfully into a cohesive and dynamic marketing and communication tool for their businesses   

They will also look at integrated business models, strong ethical management and leadership skills, whilst focusing on the development of work characterised by collaboration, the gig economy, and portfolio careers. Learning how to lead your own business and manage others in project-based environments whilst identifying opportunities for growth both at the business and personal level is integral to success.    

Year 3   

In Semester 1, students will look at the requirements of establishing a small business with potential for growth, examine the role of finance and accounting systems in structuring their businesses and gain an understand of financial planning. The feasibility and development of sound financial projects and what documentation is essential for good decision making is also developed. They will also look at funding the production of recording and tours and the ongoing fiscal management of their business and their client's interests.   

They will also delve into the technical strategy and creative innovation both current and emerging in the music industry and how best to use data analytics to make informed and strategic decisions. Three areas of innovation are explored: innovation in creative expression, strategic technology management in music business, and the strategic integration of innovation itself. This will be undertaken in teams and through reflective thinking and practice.

In Semester 2, students will be looking at global music business strategy and the implications for their own business models.  As a consequence of streaming, all music releases can be global and as such, industry professionals must be aware of opportunities that exist in other territories and the potential to respond and strategize around these opportunities. Cultural and organisational differences will be explored, and students will be actively supported and encouraged to continue developing their own music business networks and projects. 

Students will research grants and funding available to them at both a local, state and federal level as well as export incentives and other government programs, gaining a comprehensive understanding of funding frameworks, the principles of grant writing, budget management, acquittal, evaluation and the responsibilities of entities funded by the taxpayer. Commercial alliances, philanthropic grants and private equity funding are also integral to the acquisition of finance.    

Students from other Major disciplines can join the music business cohort from 2nd year as part of their minor studies.   

Real-life industry experiences and facilities include:  

  • access to our studio facilities
  • licensed 200+ on-campus music venue.   
  • industry standard writing and production suites  
  • access to our internationally renowned Artist in Residence programs  
  • on campus record label Tremorverse Record  
  • perform in a 200+ capacity live venue  
  • produce your own creative portfolio  
  • choose from a range of electives to broaden your expertise  
  • collaborate with audio, composition and music business students in our world-class facilities  
  • be empowered to apply practical and theoretical aspects of music to real creative projects  
  • access to our Analogue Synth Collection  
  • study with like-minded creatives and expand your industry network  
  • learn from industry professionals  
  • music business training  

 

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