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Music Industry Major

Conservatory of Performing Arts

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OVERVIEW

Immerse yourself in the dynamic and rapidly evolving business of music and entertainment through Baldwin Wallace's music industry major.

The comprehensive program prepares you to excel in a career spanning music streaming, artist management, concert venue management, music production and promotion.

Innovative Music Business Major

BW's program will give you knowledge, skills and industry connections that can put you at the forefront of the music profession. Its interdisciplinary focus combines courses in BW's renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts and Carmel Boyer School of Business, along with experiences and specific courses taught by professionals in the music industry.

Real-World Music Industry Experiences

Three required internships and a senior capstone project with an external industry partner provide hands-on learning. Cleveland's vibrant music community puts you at the center of diverse arts-focused opportunities with BW partners like Beachland Ballroom, Agora Theatre/AEG, Brite Winter Music & Arts Festival and the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.

  • Photo of BW Music Industry Students at Rock Hall Induction 2021

    BW music industry students attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony.

  • photo of senior capstone at the Beachland Ballroom.

    Senior capstone students with Beachland Ballroom owner Cindy Barber, celebrating the venue's 20th Anniversary and the 20th Anniversary ad created by capstone students and printed in Cleveland Scene Magazine.

  • photo of students in the Music Festival Producing class working at Brite Winter Music and Arts Festival.

    Students in the Music Festival Producing class working at Brite Winter Music & Arts Festival.

  • photo of students visiting the newly-renovated Rocket Mortgage Field House.

    Students visiting the newly-renovated Rocket Mortgage Field House with VP of concert booking Brooke Bockelman.

  • photo of students during a class visit to the historic Agora Theater and Ballroom.

    Class visit to the historic Agora Theater & Ballroom.

  • logos of external partners

    BW's strong connections with industry partners help enhance classroom experiences, support internship opportunities, and launch successful careers in the arts.

Music Industry Career Opportunities

BW's music industry major can help you launch a career in management, marketing, touring, operations or artist representation, either professionally in a music business or in support of a musician's personal career. Employment sectors include:

  • artist management
  • recording
  • music publishing
  • music supervision
  • artist branding
  • live promotion
  • production and touring
  • venue management

Billboard Ranks BW as a Top Music Business School

BW is on Billboard magazine's national list of "2024 Top Music Business Schools" — an elite honor recognizing BW's innovative courses, industry connections and successful alumni that provide a solid foundation for career success.

Outstanding Music Industry Connections

BW's music industry major connects you to established professionals both inside and outside the classroom. You'll learn from professors in both the Conservatory of Performing Arts and Carmel Boyer School of Business while paying the liberal arts tuition rate. No music audition is required for acceptance into the program, but music industry majors are required to minor in applied music.

Growing Career Field

The Recording Industry Association of America currently identifies 1.9 million American jobs supported by the music industry, adding $143 billion to the U.S. economy.

Dynamic Arts Economy

BW is located in the vibrant arts sector of Cleveland. You'll be immersed in Ohio's creative economy that generated $41 billion in 2019 from music and arts organizations.

CURRICULUM

Navigating your way around the music industry can be complicated. That's why BW's music industry major combines comprehensive coursework with real industry experience to help you develop a career-ready skill set. View a full list of courses and course descriptions for the music industry major.

Our required core curriculum includes music, business and music industry classes taught by experienced faculty. Elective courses allow you to focus your studies on areas of interest. Special topics courses provide a rotating selection of contemporary subjects taught by industry experts - which will grow your skill set and network of professional contacts.

Senior Capstone

In your final spring semester, you'll participate in a senior capstone. The capstone provides you with professional development and preparation for the job market. You'll also be part of a team that helps market and curate a show in one of Cleveland's historic music venues. You'll make real-world decisions and see the results of your efforts.

What You'll Learn

BW's music industry major prepares you to:

  • Be a leader, innovator and manager across various segments of music and entertainment
  • Develop strategies to manage the marketing and financial functions of a music organization
  • Understand contemporary issues facing the industry, artists and music entrepreneurs
  • Effectively use business practices and principals within a music environment

Music Industry Minor

BW also offers a music industry minor.

Course Catalog

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Real-world and hands-on learning experiences provide exceptional learning opportunities. You will enhance your studies through required internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities.

Internships

Internship is located in Ohio unless otherwise noted.

  • Beachland Ballroom
  • The Bop Stop
  • Brite Winter Music & Arts Festival
  • Concord Music Group
  • David Spero Artist Management
  • The Grog Shop
  • iHeartMedia
  • Ingenuity Fest
  • Murphy Music Press
  • Music Box Supper Club
  • Stage AE (Pa.)
  • S&T Bank Music Park (Pa.)
  • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Guest Artists

Music industry guests visit BW for presentations throughout the year and teach semester-long special topics courses as guest faculty members. These offer great opportunities to learn more about the field, connect with professionals, and grow your network for future internships and jobs. Recent guest artists include:

  • Cindy Barber, owner of Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
  • Kathy Blackman, owner of The Grog Shop
  • Brooke Bockelman, vice president of booking at Rocket Mortgage Field House
  • Ashley Costello, lead singer for New Years Day
  • John Feldman, producer for Blink 182, Panic! At the Disco, and The Used
  • Barry Gabel, SVP of marketing and sponsorship sales at Live Nation
  • John Hughes, SVP of fan engagement at Rhino Records
  • Jason Linder, VP of marketing and special projects Concord Records
  • Kevin Lyman, founder of Warped Tour and Lollapalooza
  • Ben Meadors, post production technologies at Spotify
  • Kaitlyn Nader, senior director of community engagement at the Grammys Museum
  • Mark O'Shea, former tour manager for Nine Inch Nails
  • Amy Sciarretto, publicist for Alice Cooper, Killswitch Engage, and Slipknot
  • Mike Shea, founder of Alternative Press Magazine
  • Telle Smith, lead singer for The World Alive
  • Troy Smith, entertainment journalist for Cleveland.com
  • David Spero, former manager for Joe Walsh of The Eagles
  • Hallie Yavitch, vice president of booking at Staples Center and Microsoft Theater
  • Brigitte Wright, former manager for Rage Against the Machine
  • Chris Zitterbart, owner of the Agora Theater and Ballroom

ALUMNI SUCCESS

At Baldwin Wallace, you'll experience personal and professional growth in a supportive community that challenges you to succeed. While BW's music industry major is new, the following alumni are a few examples of individuals who have found success in the music industry and entertainment field.

photo of Kayla ScruciKayla Scruci '19 is special event sales assistant at The Agora Theatre and Ballroom in Cleveland. "The music industry is fast-paced and there is always something new to learn. If you love music like I do, it's a great environment. Professor Sean Murphy's professional connection with my boss was instrumental in me getting this job."

Photo of Ben MeadorsBen Meadors '12 is a manager of post-production technology at Spotify. He earned a B.S. in computer information systems and MBA in management. "BW gave me so many opportunities to build my skillsets and gain experience before I graduated, including improving my knowledge of IT, audio/video, business and artistic skills."

photo of Lydia PucciniLydia Puccini '12 is sales coordinator at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. "There is never a dull moment working in the music industry. Music is my passion, and as a musician, I couldn't have picked a more exciting place to work. I have been a music-lover since I was old enough to talk, so I wanted to direct my energy to a field that involved music and entertainment."

Photo of Matt ChojnackiMatt Chojnacki '97, '99 is the owner of Cleveland-based company, 1984 Publishing, which releases books and music worldwide. He earned a B.A. in accounting and marketing and an MBA. "The well-rounded approach of BW's business program helped when I started my company, which covers the gamut business-wise: marketing, accounting, legal and international business."

photo of Hallie YavitchHallie Yavitch '94 is vice president of booking at STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FACULTY

Ross Binnie

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Southern Methodist University

Ross Binnie

Bryan Bowser

Associate Dean, Theatre Arts & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University

Bryan Bowser

Kathleen Cerveny

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., University of Southern Maine

Kathleen Cerveny

Patricia Egan

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Cleveland State University

Patricia Egan

Erika Haskell

Director, Community Arts School
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship

B.A., Baldwin Wallace University

Erika Haskell

Sean Murphy

Assistant Professor of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
D.M.A., University of North Texas

Sean Murphy

Full-Time Faculty

Bryan Bowser
Associate Dean, Theatre Arts & Entrepreneurship
Program Director & Associate Professor, Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University

Sean Murphy
Assistant Professor of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
D.M.A., University of North Texas

Adjunct Faculty

Ross Binnie
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Southern Methodist University

Kathleen Cerveny
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., University of Southern Maine

Patricia Egan
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Cleveland State University

Erika Haskell
Director, Community Arts School
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University

Adam Sheldon
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University