BW students attend Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony November 8
BW’s affiliation with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame offered students an illustrious opportunity — entrance to its induction ceremony.
Conservatory Admission
(440) 826-2368, music@xsdvoip.com
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OVERVIEW
Immerse yourself in the dynamic and rapidly evolving business of music and entertainment through Baldwin Wallace's music industry major.
The comprehensive program prepares you to excel in a career spanning music streaming, artist management, concert venue management, music production and promotion.
Innovative Music Business Major
BW's program will give you knowledge, skills and industry connections that can put you at the forefront of the music profession. Its interdisciplinary focus combines courses in BW's renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts and Carmel Boyer School of Business, along with experiences and specific courses taught by professionals in the music industry.
Real-World Music Industry Experiences
Three required internships and a senior capstone project with an external industry partner provide hands-on learning. Cleveland's vibrant music community puts you at the center of diverse arts-focused opportunities with BW partners like Beachland Ballroom, Agora Theatre/AEG, Brite Winter Music & Arts Festival and the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.
Music Industry Career Opportunities
BW's music industry major can help you launch a career in management, marketing, touring, operations or artist representation, either professionally in a music business or in support of a musician's personal career. Employment sectors include:
- artist management
- recording
- music publishing
- music supervision
- artist branding
- live promotion
- production and touring
- venue management
Billboard magazine ranks Baldwin Wallace a top music business school October 30
Innovative courses, industry connections and successful alumni put BW again on Billboard's national list of "Top Music Business Schools."
BW Conservatory examines how Cleveland Music Census speaks volumes October 7
As the BW Conservatory of Performing Arts focuses its Arts Innovation Summit on the Greater Cleveland Music Census, Dr. Sean Murphy examines the eye-opening results.
CURRICULUM
Navigating your way around the music industry can be complicated. That's why BW's music industry major combines comprehensive coursework with real industry experience to help you develop a career-ready skill set. View a full list of courses and course descriptions for the music industry major.
Our required core curriculum includes music, business and music industry classes taught by experienced faculty. Elective courses allow you to focus your studies on areas of interest. Special topics courses provide a rotating selection of contemporary subjects taught by industry experts - which will grow your skill set and network of professional contacts.
Senior Capstone
In your final spring semester, you'll participate in a senior capstone. The capstone provides you with professional development and preparation for the job market. You'll also be part of a team that helps market and curate a show in one of Cleveland's historic music venues. You'll make real-world decisions and see the results of your efforts.
What You'll Learn
BW's music industry major prepares you to:
- Be a leader, innovator and manager across various segments of music and entertainment
- Develop strategies to manage the marketing and financial functions of a music organization
- Understand contemporary issues facing the industry, artists and music entrepreneurs
- Effectively use business practices and principals within a music environment
Music Industry Minor
BW also offers a music industry minor.
Course Descriptions
Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Real-world and hands-on learning experiences provide exceptional learning opportunities. You will enhance your studies through required internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities.
Internships
Internship is located in Ohio unless otherwise noted.
- Beachland Ballroom
- The Bop Stop
- Brite Winter Music & Arts Festival
- Concord Music Group
- David Spero Artist Management
- The Grog Shop
- iHeartMedia
- Ingenuity Fest
- Murphy Music Press
- Music Box Supper Club
- Stage AE (Pa.)
- S&T Bank Music Park (Pa.)
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Guest Artists
Music industry guests visit BW for presentations throughout the year and teach semester-long special topics courses as guest faculty members. These offer great opportunities to learn more about the field, connect with professionals, and grow your network for future internships and jobs. Recent guest artists include:
- Cindy Barber, owner of Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
- Kathy Blackman, owner of The Grog Shop
- Brooke Bockelman, vice president of booking at Rocket Mortgage Field House
- Ashley Costello, lead singer for New Years Day
- John Feldman, producer for Blink 182, Panic! At the Disco, and The Used
- Barry Gabel, SVP of marketing and sponsorship sales at Live Nation
- John Hughes, SVP of fan engagement at Rhino Records
- Jason Linder, VP of marketing and special projects Concord Records
- Kevin Lyman, founder of Warped Tour and Lollapalooza
- Ben Meadors, post production technologies at Spotify
- Kaitlyn Nader, senior director of community engagement at the Grammys Museum
- Mark O'Shea, former tour manager for Nine Inch Nails
- Amy Sciarretto, publicist for Alice Cooper, Killswitch Engage, and Slipknot
- Mike Shea, founder of Alternative Press Magazine
- Telle Smith, lead singer for The World Alive
- Troy Smith, entertainment journalist for Cleveland.com
- David Spero, former manager for Joe Walsh of The Eagles
- Hallie Yavitch, vice president of booking at Staples Center and Microsoft Theater
- Brigitte Wright, former manager for Rage Against the Machine
- Chris Zitterbart, owner of the Agora Theater and Ballroom
ALUMNI SUCCESS
Kayla Scruci '19 is special event sales assistant at The Agora Theatre and Ballroom in Cleveland. "The music industry is fast-paced and there is always something new to learn. If you love music like I do, it's a great environment. Professor Sean Murphy's professional connection with my boss was instrumental in me getting this job."
Ben Meadors '12 is a manager of post-production technology at Spotify. He earned a B.S. in computer information systems and MBA in management. "BW gave me so many opportunities to build my skillsets and gain experience before I graduated, including improving my knowledge of IT, audio/video, business and artistic skills."
Lydia Puccini '12 is sales coordinator at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. "There is never a dull moment working in the music industry. Music is my passion, and as a musician, I couldn't have picked a more exciting place to work. I have been a music-lover since I was old enough to talk, so I wanted to direct my energy to a field that involved music and entertainment."
Matt Chojnacki '97, '99 is the owner of Cleveland-based company, 1984 Publishing, which releases books and music worldwide. He earned a B.A. in accounting and marketing and an MBA. "The well-rounded approach of BW's business program helped when I started my company, which covers the gamut business-wise: marketing, accounting, legal and international business."
Hallie Yavitch '94 is vice president of booking at STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
FACULTY
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Southern Methodist University
Associate Dean, Theatre Arts & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., University of Southern Maine
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Cleveland State University
Full-Time Faculty
Bryan Bowser
Associate Dean, Theatre Arts & Entrepreneurship
Program Director & Associate Professor, Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University
Sean Murphy
Assistant Professor of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
D.M.A., University of North Texas
Adjunct Faculty
Ross Binnie
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Southern Methodist University
Kathleen Cerveny
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., University of Southern Maine
Patricia Egan
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Cleveland State University
Erika Haskell
Director, Community Arts School
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University
Adam Sheldon
Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University
