Music Business

To succeed in today’s evolving music industry requires more than just talent. A comprehensive understanding of the business of music will open up the door to a career as a music publisher, marketer or booking agent.

Program Overview

Sharpen your understanding of how the music business works.

The Music Business emphasis will immerse you in the performance, theory and interdisciplinary training of a traditional Music degree, while adding critical coursework needed to navigate the business world. In the program, you’ll gain a critical understanding of music industry ethics, contracts, copyright regulations, marketing techniques and more. Whether your goal is to manage your own label or become a concert promoter, you’ll be prepared to enter the complex and evolving music industry with the business acumen to succeed.

The business behind the music

Tap into the world of music by combining your artistic skill with business acumen. Learn about contracts, copyright and marketing in the Music Business emphasis.

Faculty & Staff

Kenneth Todd, M.M.

Department of Music Program Director, Senior Lecturer in Music, Director of Orchestral Activities, Director of Applied String Studios

Becky Kenlon

Administrative Assistant

Careers

Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.

Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.

The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.

What could my career look like with this degree?

Scholarships

Institutional Scholarships

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Presidential Promise

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant. For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Tuition Discount Programs

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Western Merit Scholarship

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student's GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

News & Research

Western’s Chamber Orchestra and String Ensemble to perform Thursday

Join a Music Ensemble at Western

Band: Symphony and Varsity.
Vocal: Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.
Jazz: Groups include the large Jazz Ensemble, “High Altitude” Dixieland Combo and Modern Jazz Combo.
Orchestra: Performs together regularly as a string ensemble, full orchestra and a small chamber group. Orchestra and Choir combine together to perform major works as well.
Other: Instrumental ensembles are open to all interested performers and include Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, String, Jazz Ensembles and Flute Choir, as well as additional small ensembles.

Making music

Western Music students have the opportunity to join various ensembles and bands including the band, orchestra or instrumental ensembles such as brass, woodwind, percussion, jazz, string and flute choir, as well as additional small ensembles.