Courses
The ECM offers a broad range of courses, including offerings in partnership with the Leeds School of Business and our Music Technology program. Courses are open to all majors; non-majors may petition the the instructor for permission to enroll, provided there is room in the roster.
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP APPROVED (see below for details)
FALL SEMESTERS
Building Your Music Career
MUSC 2918 / 5918
The “everything you need to know” course for the aspiring professional musician. Topics include how to build a network, effective development and use of promotional materials, funding models, social media and the internet, and basic financial management, among others — all taught through an entrepreneurial lens. A wide range of career options is also explored, using the entrepreneurial process to assess and explore a variety of paths and opportunities.
Instructor: Jeffrey Nytch
Prepared for the Soundcheck
MUSC 2081-2
Provides an overview of the recording process from the performer’s perspective, from soundcheck through final mastering. Uses recorded material from in class sessions. Examines differing approaches to recording as well as current technologies.
Instructors: Kevin Harbison, College of Music Recording Engineer
Writing a Venture Plan
ESBM 4100
This course will address: defining the service/product and value proposition; analyzing the market and competition; creating a effective marketing plan, determining the operations and development requirements; recruiting the management team; establishing a sustainable competitive advantage; mitigating risk; projecting pro-forma financial statements; and funding the venture. Communicating the plan is an essential element of this course and students will learn organized and focused writing and how to make effective presentations.
Instructors: Faculty from the Deming Entrepreneurship Center, Leeds School of Business
Prerequisite: MUSC 4988 & ESBM 3200
Coming this Fall:
Arts Administration & Management
MUSC 4988 / 5988
Introduce students to current trends in arts administration, explore the fundamentals of managing arts organizations, and develop concrete tools for managing boards, volunteers and staff, effective fund raising, strategic planning, and program development. Current issues, the role of the arts, and arts advocacy will be discussed.
Instructor: Chris Martin
SPRING SEMESTERS
Community Performances
MUSC 4958 / 5958
Dig into the real-world nuts and bolts and planning and presenting concerts of your music. Learn to program music for all types of audiences, gain confidence speaking about you and your music, and how to handle the logistics of creating a successful concert. Discuss the role of concerts in the 21st century, and examine new ways of presenting concerts. Course includes classroom theory and practical application, culminating in a concert planned and presented in a local venue.
Instructor: Jeffrey Nytch
Recommended pre-requisite: MUSC 2918
The Entrepreneurial Artist
MUSC 4988 / 5988
Bring your ideas to life! Students will learn the core principles of entrepreneurship – such as idea formation, venture models, opportunity assessment, market analysis, and strategies for launching a venture – and apply them to their own entrepreneurial ideas. Lectures, projects, entrepreneur interviews, and case studies will culminate in a feasibility study for an original entrepreneurial concept. Students from all arts disciplines are welcome in this dynamic and interactive course!
Instructors: Jeffrey Nytch and Joan Braun (Executive Director of CU Presents)
Recommended pre-requisite: MUSC 2918
Recording Techniques
MUSC 2091-2
Provides hands-on training in various audio recording techniques, acoustics, and sound reinforcement, studio maintenance, and troubleshooting. Real-world experience is gained through individual recording projects and College of Music events.
Instructor: Kevin Harbison, College of Music Recording Engineer
Prereq. MUSC 2081-2 or instructor consent
ALL SEMESTERS
Principles of Business for Entrepreneurs
ESBM 3200
This course gives students a basic understanding of the business principles required to start and grow an entrepreneurial venture, with particular focus on marketing and financial management. It is intended for non-business majors who have not taken a marketing, accounting or finance course.
Instructors: Faculty from the Deming Entrepreneurship Center, Leeds School of Business
Prerequisite: MUSC 4988
Internship in Music Business
MUSC 4908 / 5908
Gives upper division & graduate students the opportunity to work in public or private organizations on assignments relating to their career goals, and allows them to explore the relationship between theory and practice in their major. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours (3 credits per semester max.).
Open to upper division and graduate students
Click here for information on internships
CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The 18-credit undergraduate Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship is designed to equip Music majors with the entrepreneurial tools they need to pursue a wide variety of career paths in their chosen field. Non-music majors may participate in the program with permission of the Director. The Certificate consists of the following components; it is recommended that be taken in the order listed.
Building Your Music Career
Community Performances
The Entrepreneurial Artist
Principles of Business for Entrepreneurs
Arts Administration & Management
Writing a Business Plan
Internship
Independent Study: New Venture Challenge & Capstone Exam
For more information, contact Jeffrey Nytch, ECM Director