Music Business, Entrepreneurship + Technology
In the Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology (MBET) program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the music business in the context of an arts-based education. Available as a major or a minor, our comprehensive coursework takes place in and out of the classroom, and you’ll network and make connections through internship placements at some of Philadelphia’s most reputable institutions. Our goal is to empower the artists and engineers who will create the technologies of the future. In 2019, the MBET program at University of the Arts was ranked among the top 10 programs for music business in the nation.
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'19
'18
Our faculty is made up of active professionals who are working in the industry here in Philadelphia, which is fast becoming one of the best music cities in the United States.
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Sample Courses in the MBET Major
First Year
MBET Project Forum
Intro to Pro Tools
Music Explorations
Music Concepts
Business of Music
Writing I Placement
Intro to Business
Digital Distribution
Music Concepts II
Live Sound Production
Writing II Placement
Free elective (your choice)
Second Year
Music Skill III
Recording I
Tech & Application Course (your choice)*
Science (your choice)
Free elective (your choice)
Music Skill IV
Digital Marketing
Intro to Advertising
Discipline history (your choice)
Critical Studies (your choice)
Third Year
Business Fundementals for the Creative Economy
Intro to Electronic Music & Technology
Tech & Application course (your choice)**
Discipline history (your choice)
Critical Studies (your choice)
Free elective (your choice)
Business Planning
Music Internship
Tech & Application course (your choice)**
Fourth Year
Business Planning II
Business & Entrepreneurship course***(your choice)
Tech & Application course (your choice)+
Critical Studies (your choice)
Free elective (your choice)
MBET Senior Project
Business & Entrepreneurship course (your choice)++
About the Curriculum
The Music Business, Entrepreneurship + Technology (MBET) curriculum takes great advantage of cross-discipline and collaborative opportunities in the all-arts environment of the University of the Arts. Courses cover the core areas of Business/Entrepreneurship (business, fundamentals, music business and innovation, and entrepreneurship), Technology and Application (recording, live sound and web design), a rich and diverse pool of electives throughout the University, Music (music skills and critical listening), and the Liberal Arts. Additional study in international business, project courses, and internships maximize career portfolio strategies.
Students graduating from the MBET program will:
- Possess essential business knowledge in the foundational areas of marketing, communications, and business, contract, and entertainment law;
- Possess essential music business knowledge in intellectual property, music licensing, media markets, and event production and management;
- Possess technological skills in audio production, recording, live sound reinforcement, digital distribution, and web/interface design;
- Possess foundational music knowledge and competencies, the understanding of music form and structure, and critical listening and assessment skills;
- Possess advanced writing and presentation skills;
- Have engaged in entrepreneurial activities relative to the production, marketing, and distribution of music and other performance and art media;
- Understand e-commerce and be able to identify and use emerging technologies;
- Collaborate and partner with other University students and departments, as well as professional organizations;
- Be information literate, aware, resourceful, and problem-solving critical thinkers;
- Use all of the above as the basis for creative and innovative output.
To explore the full curriculum, click here.
* At this level, courses include Audio Electronics, Intro to Logic Pro, Webcasting and others.
* At this level, courses include Advanced Mixing & Mastering, Advanced Electronics Forum, Spatial Music Composition and others.
*** At this level, courses include Copywriting, Artist Management, Entrepreneurs Boot Camp and others.
+ Recording II and Digital Music Production I and II.
+ At this level, courses include Careers in Music.
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BS '17
BS '17
BS '16
University of the Arts recently celebrated the grand opening of the Laurie Wagman Music Studios on the 11th floor of Terra Hall. On Wednesday evening, Nov. 13, School of Music faculty, staff, students, university administrators and honored guests gathered to dedicate the space to its benefactor, Trustee Laurie Wagman. The opening of these state-of-the-art recording studios marks the culmination of the School of Music relocation and renovation project, which started in June 2018 and also features brand new rehearsal, classroom, office, lab and production spaces.
The dedication celebration included remarks from UArts President and CEO David Yager, School of Music Dean Micah Jones BM ’97 (Jazz Performance) MM ’99 (Jazz Studies) and Laurie Wagman. Remarks were followed by a ribbon-cutting and performance by UArts’ Transfusion ensemble, a highly dynamic group that programs an eclectic mix of sounds and primarily performs newly commissioned works by current students, alumni and faculty.
“The studios are a transformational gift to our School of Music and MBET program, which is experiencing incredible growth,” said Yager upon the announcement of the gift. “Laurie Wagman is deeply connected to the students and programs at UArts through her commitment of time and financial support and her personal relationships with students.”
Both recording studios are equipped with state-of-the-art, 24-channel API consoles and Antelope interfaces. There is a surround sound system in Studio A, while Studio B has a pair of Adam reference monitors. Both studios have a number of outboard compressors, equalizers and other effects processors. Studio A will also function as a fully analog space equipped with a 16-track tape machine.
“These are some of the best spaces I have ever seen in an urban university setting,” says Dean Jones. “Now, we have an environment where our students’ creativity can thrive. I cannot express how grateful we are for Laurie Wagman’s unwavering support of the school and where it is heading. Likewise, to our president, who has not only encouraged us to reimagine our campus, but has taken action to make those dreams a reality.”
Wagman’s generosity also helped create Laurie Wagman Presents, an MBET concert series managed and promoted by the program’s students, including Out of the Box, a series which promotes experimental, electronic and improvised music, mostly composed by MBET students and often featuring guest artists working at the fringes of their disciplines.
Wagman’s philanthropic focus is in the arts, education and social services, and she has been the recipient of numerous awards for her dedication to young people. She is the founder and president of American Theater Arts for Youth lnc. and American Family Theater. Under her four-decade leadership, the two organizations have presented professional, original musical productions to more than 32 million students throughout the U.S. In addition to University of the Arts, Wagman also serves on the boards of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the National Children’s Theater Alliance and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
Learn more about about Uniquely UArts, the campaign for creative capital.