The Opinions of Music Management Graduates on Music Management Curriculum

Abstract

This paper has two purposes. One is to replicate, for comparison with The William Paterson University of New Jersey, a study completed by Claudia McCain at Western Illinois University. Dr. McCain presented her study at the 2001 MEIEA (Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association) conference. The study was later published in the 2002 MEIEA Journal . The curricula are very similar at these two universities, and since both institutions are not the flagship campuses of their respective states, the student bodies are also similar. The second purpose is to present the results of a survey administered to music management graduates. These graduates were asked to rate the importance of typical course offerings in a music management/business curriculum and to state their opinions as to which courses should be required in preparing students for careers in the music industry. Courses evaluated (according to the work completed in 1999-2000 by Dr. McCain) are typically found in a music business program housed in a music department with a goal of preparing students for careers in the business side of the music industry. [Editor’s note: a complete copy of the survey may be found on pages 54-57.]