A Frank Suggs Syllabus

Class Overview and Syllabus

This  is an introductory course. It's purpose is to provide individuals with a "snap shot" of America's Music and Entertainment Industry.

This course follows a song from composer to consumer; explains how money is generated; and identifies career options.

Class Outline

Below is an outline of the course

UNIT 1  OVERVIEW

There are many facets to the industry and one must first learn how these many pieces fit together.

This units explores the following:

• What is music business?
• How much does music business gross per year?
• What is the "star system"?
• What communications phenomenon helped the growth of and sale of music?
• What caused the music industry to grow in the 1950's?

_________

UNIT 2   SONGWRITING

Songs are the heart of the industry. It is the movement of the song from creator to consumer that creates the industry.

This unit covers the following

• Characteristics of great songs
• Characteristics of commercially successful songs.                   
• Characteristics of successful songwriters.
• How songs make money
• Components of a songwriters contract

  _________

UNIT 3 MUSIC PUBLISHING

Publishing is the exploitation of the song or the many ways a song makes money

This unit examines the following topics

• What is publishing?
• What are the types of publishers?
• How are publishing companies organized?
• What are the income sources of publishing companies?

_________

UNIT 4  COPYRIGHT

Copyright protects the interest of the composer or whom ever is holding the copyright

This units looks at the provisions of copyright law

• Provisions of the 1976 act
• Copyright ownership?
• "Fair use"?
• Exclusive rights of the author?

_________

UNIT 5 MUSIC LICENSING

One must obtain a license to use a song created by someone else.  This is how composers make their living

This unit looks at various kinds of license and the agencies that grant them

• Grand rights?
• Harry Fox Agency?
• ASCAP and BMI?
• Mechanical license?
• Synchronization license?

________

UNIT 6  ORGANIZING PEOPLE

Development of careers, control  of the work place and "taking care of business" made music a profitable enterprise in the 20th century.

This unit  covers the following:

• Unions and Guilds
• Entertainment Lawyers
• Music Agents
• Artist Management
• Artists' Contracts

_________

UNIT 7  GETTING THE PRODUCT TO THE CONSUMER

In order to make a living musicians must get their product to the customer either live, by mechanical device, or over the airwaves

This unit explores the following:

• Concert Promotions
• Music Merchandising
• The recording industry
• Radio and television

_________

UNIT 8  WHERE ARE THE JOBS?

Finding entry into America's music and entertainment industry can be difficult.

This unit looks at entry level opportunities:

• Jobs in the creative area
• Jobs in the producing/ directing area
• Jobs in the business area
• Music related jobs

_________

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