Principles of Music Management - MUS00122M
Module summary
This module provides students with an introduction to key management concepts with particular relevance to the music industry. Throughout the module students will adopt the role of a typical management team within a UK music organisation. Presented with a series of weekly management challenges, students will evaluate the effectiveness of their management decisions, through critical reflection and application of relevant scholarship in key areas, such as event management and operations; finance and accounting; fundraising and philanthropy; marketing and audience development; HR; partnerships and stakeholder management; and strategic planning. Students will also have the opportunity to apply these skills to a variety of real-life music organisations. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, students will be able to identify and debate current issues in music management practice in critical and theoretically informed ways, and analyse how key concepts have the ability to impact management and organisation effectiveness, and market competitiveness.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module provides students with an introduction to key management concepts with particular relevance to the music industry. Throughout the module students will adopt the role of a typical management team within a UK music organisation. Presented with a series of weekly management challenges, students will evaluate the effectiveness of their management decisions, through critical reflection and application of relevant scholarship in key areas, such as event management and operations; finance and accounting; fundraising and philanthropy; marketing and audience development; HR; partnerships and stakeholder management; and strategic planning. Students will also have the opportunity to apply these skills to a variety of real-life music organisations. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, students will be able to identify and debate current issues in music management practice in critical and theoretically informed ways, and analyse how key concepts have the ability to impact management and organisation effectiveness, and market competitiveness.
Module learning outcomes
Students will develop the skills to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of key theories relevant to music management practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships and interactions between key management roles in typical UK music management organisations
- Demonstrate an awareness of the connections between internal management practices to the external business environment
- Critically apply key music management theoretical concepts to real life situations and organisations
- Make persuasive arguments based on theory and evidence and take management decisions in the context of typical UK music industry organisation
- Present and discuss ideas to a cohort of fellow students/peers and work in groups
Module content
Module syllabus (indicative)
- Introduction to the music industry, management roles, and management activity
- Marketing, brands, and audience development
- Partnership working and stakeholder relations
- Finance and accounting
- Fundraising and philanthropy
- HR and managing people
- Operations and event management
- Strategic planning
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Feedback will be provided to students within the standard University timeframes.
Indicative reading
Dromey, C. and Haferkorn, J. (Eds.). (2018). The classical music industry. London, UK: Routledge.
Byrnes, W.J., 2014. Management and the Arts (5th ed.). Routledge.
O'Reilly, D., Larsen, G. and Kubacki, K. (2013). Music, markets and consumption. Goodfellow Publishers Ltd.
Burland, K. and Pitts, S. (Eds.). (2016). Coughing and clapping: Investigating audience experience. Routledge.
Wright, M., Walmsley, B., & Simmons, E. (2022). Fundraising in the Creative and Cultural Industries: Leading Effective Fundraising Strategies (1st ed.). Routledge.
Bowdin, G., Allen, J., Harris, R., McDonnell, I. and O'Toole, W. (2012). Events management. Routledge.
Kaiser, M.M. (2018). Strategic planning in the arts: A practical guide. Brandeis University Press.