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Music/Business

Bachelor of Science

Overview

Exciting, multifaceted, and highly competitive, the music business today requires a comprehensive knowledge in the areas of music theory and performance as well as business management, marketing, law, and technology.

Nazareth University's music business degree program is the first of its kind in the Rochester area—a joint collaboration between the School of Music and the School of Business and Leadership that introduces musicians to all aspects of the industry. The program is unique for its breadth and exposes you to the creative, financial, legal, technical, and marketing aspects of the industry.

The music business major cultivates a thorough understanding of the functional areas of business, as well as the economic, demographic, social, political, and psychological forces that shape the music business. It offers you a global perspective and the cultural competency you will need to interact with people of different backgrounds.

Two required internships give you direct work experience and help you make valuable professional connections. Internships may take place in a variety of settings such as recording studios, music promotions, radio, artist management, music retailing, and marketing companies.

Highlights

  • Management and music business courses teach you the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue entrepreneurial initiatives and become meaningful contributors to the music industry.
  • You'll benefit from rich and diverse opportunities out of the classroom to improve upon your skills as musicians and composers.
  • Perform in our new, state-of-the-art, 550-seat concert hall: Nazareth's Glazer Music Performance Center is designed to provide excellent acoustics for large instrumental and vocal ensembles, to integrate multimedia collaborations, and to enable live recording.
  • Learn the basics of digital recording and mixing using modern digital recording equipment.
  • You can be part of Naz Recordz — a record label started by two music/business majors working with their management professor. Get experience with music recording, business, and marketing.
  • Music courses help you develop an understanding of Western musical history, basic music performance skills on a primary instrument, and basic piano and aural skills.
  • Benefit from the larger Nazareth University curriculum with its strong emphasis on oral and written communication, critical thinking, familiarity with current technologies, and ethical considerations.
  • Private lessons, a rock ensemble, and a jazz ensemble offer you the opportunity to study popular genres of music as well as traditional Western music.

Student Experiences

    Interning at Carl Fischer Music educational music publishing in New York City
    Combine a passion for music with a solid foundation in management.
    Interning with Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City

    How to Audition

    Auditions are required for this major. View audition details and register.

    Fully immersed

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    Attend private performance lessons and join a rock or jazz ensemble

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    Get direct work experience through an array of unique internship options

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    Learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur in the music industry

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    Perform in the state-of-the-art Glazer Music Performance Center

    Example internships/field experiences

    • Walt Disney World
    • Lincoln Center, NYC
    • Red Booth Recording Studio
    • 95.1 The Fox/Brother Wease, 95.1 The Brew, 97.9 PXY, Warm 101.3
    • Hochstein School of Music
    • Rochester Red Wings
    • Blue Cross Arena, Rochester
    • The House of Guitars

    $4,000

    UP TO $4,000 TO INVEST IN YOU
    Unique to Nazareth, our SPARK Grant provides $1,500 for you to pursue internships, research, and study abroad, plus up to $2,500 in a tuition scholarship for summer SPARK-eligible experiences that earn credit. SPARK stories »

    music class in a recording studio with their professor
    piano keyboard and audio equipment
    student playing guitar in a NYC park

    Your life's work

    Careers

    • Production engineer
    • Concert promoter
    • Radio engineer, radio broadcasting and production
    • Music retailer
    • Engineering and recording
    • Music arranging and production
    • Artist management, promotion, and marketing
    • Commercial, television, video, and film composition
    • Artist and repertoire development (A & R)
    • Tour support and management

    Employers/graduate schools

    • Markethold Productions Inc.
    • Walt Disney World
    • GFI Music
    • Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
    • NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development