MTSU is one of a dozen universities nationwide to join a new music industry program that provides students and faculty with research, scholarship, networking and professional experience opportunities.

More than 1,000 students across the country also have signed up for the Music Business Association’s Academic Partnership Program for music business, technology and entertainment law education, organizers announced Sept. 15.

The New Jersey-based Music Business Association, also known as “Music Biz,” is a nonprofit organization that focuses on music commerce.

MTSU’s fellow Academic Partnership Program schools include Belmont University, Nashville; Berklee College of Music, Boston; Drexel University, Philadelphia; Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan; Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida; Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey; New Jersey City University; New York University; Florida’s University of Miami; the University of Texas at San Antonio; and William Paterson University, Paterson, New Jersey.

Beverly Keel

“This is such a wonderful opportunity for our students and faculty to receive in-depth research on the latest industry trends and information on cutting-edge technology,” said Beverly Keel, chair of MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry.

“By creating this nurturing and inquisitive community, Music Biz is making a tremendous contribution to the canon of music business knowledge nationwide and enhancing the education of a generation of music business students. We are delighted to be part of this impressive partnership.”

Once a school is affiliated with the program, all its students and faculty who are part of a music business, technology or entertainment law curriculum automatically become Music Biz members, giving them exclusive benefits that include:

• access to research, whitepapers and infographics.
• complimentary registration to the Common Ground Webinar Series.
• discounts to the annual Music Biz convention as well as Music Startup Academy and Entertainment and Technology Law Conference events
• eligibility to apply for scholarships through the Scholarship Foundation.

Last year, the Academic Partnership Program awarded more than $50,000 in financial scholarships and prizes to students across the country.

“Music Biz is thrilled with the robust response that the Academic Partnership Program has received over the past year and are proud to count all of these incredible institutions as members,” said James Donio, president of Music Biz.

James Donio

“As an adjunct professor at Monmouth University, I’ve seen firsthand how essential a balanced educational experience can be for those pursuing a career in the music business. It is imperative that we ensure the future prosperity of the music biz by providing support for those who are training the next generation of industry executives. Our Academic Partnership Program helps accomplish that.”

Students from Academic Partnership Program members will also be volunteering at Music Biz 2016, the group’s annual convention, set next May in Nashville. MTSU students did just that at Music Biz 2015, learning valuable music industry lessons and skills while connecting with top executives at major record labels as well as top publishers, managers, artists, entrepreneurs and startups.

For more information about the Music Business Association, visit its website, http://musicbiz.org. For more information about MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry in the College of Media and Entertainment, visit www.mtsu.edu/recording-industry.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)