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Billboard magazine has once again placed William Paterson University on its list of “top music business schools” around the world—recognizing the University’s undergraduate program in music and entertainment industries.
William Paterson is one of only two New Jersey institutions on the list, and the only public university to be included. This is the sixth time William Paterson has landed on the list, which includes schools throughout the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Australia.
In Billboard’s 2023 spotlight on colleges and universities educating the next generation of music business leaders, William Paterson’s program was noted for courses like “Backstage: The Business of Touring,” and the program’s overall focus on the three key pillars of music income: live music, recording, and publishing. The program has hosted visiting resident experts including Kate Hyman, former VP of A&R for BMG, and Mark Robinson, senior VP of music strategy, business and legal affairs at Paramount. The magazine also notes the program’s focus on internships, and that it draws industry professionals to campus thanks to the University’s location just 20 miles from New York City.
“We’re proud that, once again, William Paterson University’s music and entertainment industries program has been named one of the best music business programs in the world by Billboard Magazine,” says David Kirk Philp, assistant professor of music and coordinator of the music and entertainment industries program. “The music industry is constantly changing, and our goal every day is to give our students the most up-to-date information about how the business works while helping them acquire the needed skills to attain internships while in school and jobs when they graduate.”
William Paterson offers a bachelor of music degree with an emphasis in music and entertainment industries, open to students studying classical or jazz performance, as well as a minor in music and entertainment industries open to students from any major. The program is known for bringing exceptional guest speakers into its Music Management Seminar Series, which brings industry experts to campus. In addition, the highly popular Music Biz 101 & More radio show and podcast, produced by Philp and Dr. Stephen Marcone, William Paterson professor emeritus of music, is the only free advice talk show in America that focuses on the business side of the music and entertainment worlds, with more than 300 episodes available to stream online. Graduates of the program are represented in all areas of the music and entertainment industry, from independent recording artists to record labels, music publishing, concert promotion and venues, and with top artists such as Khalid and Tyler the Creator.
