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BM Emphasis in Music & Entertainment Industries

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For curriculum information please click on the degree programs listed below:

Billboard Best Music Biz Programs 2020


KateHymanFall2019

KATE HYMAN, VP OF A&R FOR BMG, 2019-2020 VISITING RESIDENT EXPERT

Kate Hyman is a veteran in the music industry, having worked in both publishing and record labels. She currently works at BMG and has signed artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Valerie June, The Flaming Lips, Patti Smith, Perry Farrell, Karen O, Aimee Mann, Paula Cole, Henry Rollins, and more. She started her career at Shelter Records at the age of 18. Kate helped start Richard Branson’s V2 label as its first U.S. employee. She has worked at BMG for 9 years.


RobinsonMark

RobinsonMarkAtWP2018

300 Entertainment’s Mark Robinson is Visiting Resident Expert for 2018-2019

Mark Robinson, Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs at 300 Entertainment, will serve as the Music & Entertainment Industries Visiting Resident Expert for the 2018-2019 academic year. Robinson’s long resume also includes stints at BMG and the Warner Music Group. Robinson was named by Billboard Magazine as one of 2016’s Digital Power Players. He will visit various William Paterson University music business classes during the school year and speak with students about publishing, streaming, and legal issues within today’s music and entertainment industry.


John BoulosFrom left to right: Professor David Philp, Director, Music & Entertainment Industries and Popular Music Studies; Visiting Resident Expert John Boulos, Executive Vice-President of Radio Promotion for Atlantic Records; and Dr. Stephen Marcone, former Director of WP Music & Entertainment Industries program.

John Boulos is Visiting Resident Expert for 2017-18

John Boulos, Executive Vice-President of Radio Promotion for Atlantic Records has been named the 2017-18 Visiting Resident Expert in the Music & Entertainment Industries program at William Paterson University.


Billboard Magazine Ranks WP Music Business Program Among The Nation's Best

The top trade magazine for the music industry, Billboard, listed William Paterson University as having one of the top Music Business programs in the country. Read all about it HERE, then scroll down this page for program highlights.


WP Music Business Programs Team Up With Warner Music Group

William Paterson University’s Music & Entertainment Industries and Popular Music Studies programs are teaming up with the Warner Music Group. As part of this association, qualified WP students will be encouraged to apply for WMG internship opportunities. William Paterson University students will also have access to WMG professionals in a variety of departments, including A&R, Sales, Direct 2 Consumer, and Marketing. Also, rather than feature one individual as the next Music Business Visiting Expert-In-Residence, the 2015-2016 academic year will feature multiple personnel from the Warner Music Group. 

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Atlantic Records’ Paul Sinclair Named Visiting Resident Expert for 2014-15

Paul Sinclair & friends
From left to right: Dr. Stephen Marcone, former Director of WP Music & Entertainment Industries program, Paul Sinclair, Atlantic Records Head of Digital & eCommerce, Kari Keller, MBA Music Management class of ’14, David Philp, Director, Music & Entertainment Industries and Popular Music Studies.


dr. marcone with run Darryl "DMC" McDaniels
Dr. Stephen Marcone, former Director of the Music & Entertainment Industries Program
with Darryl "DMC" McDaniels

The Music & Entertainment Industries program offers a general introduction to the industry, focusing on the multifaceted entertainment industry and offering course work in licensing, touring, intellectual property rights, public relations, media use, law and ethics, and personal management.

The program is designed to allow students the opportunity to develop a high level of musical competence while becoming knowledgeable about the theoretical and practical aspects of the industry.

The music portion of the curriculum maintains the core of content and standards equivalent to the other Bachelor of Music programs in the Music Department. It allows students to choose between the classical or jazz performance tracks and elect advanced music courses to support their musical goals. In addition, the Music & Entertainment Industries courses permit students to extend their knowledge and experience into specific areas needed to become qualified industry personnel. The objectives of the program are to graduate students who:

  1. Have developed a high level of musical competence.
  2. Are knowledgeable about and are able to intelligently discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of the business, creative and legal components of the music industry.
  3. Possess the ability to analyze, coordinate, and direct the varied activities of a musical career.
  4. Have specialized according to their interests and talents.

 

WP faculty member Steve Leeds, composer/producer/manager Kenny Laguna, rock legend Joan Jett, former Director of the Music Management Program Dr. Steve Marcone, Director, Music & Entertainment Industries and Popular Music Studies David Philp
WP faculty member Steve Leeds, composer/producer/manager Kenny Laguna, rock legend Joan Jett, former Director of the Music & Entertainment Industries Program Dr. Steve Marcone, Director, Music & Entertainment Industries and Popular Music Studies David Philp

The core of Music & Entertainment Industries courses has been designed to synthesize the various elements of the course work from general education, communications, management, and music, while providing the essential information particular to the music and entertainment business. Students from any department or school may elect to be involved to the extent of their interests and availability of time. Internships in the center of the industry are required.

The program is appropriately based in the Music Department of the School of Arts and Communication. The department is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and for many years has enjoyed a reputation for excellence.

Aquarian Magazine Article
Our program was recently featured in The Aquarian Weekly.
Program Highlights
  • Seven Semesters of private applied music lessons
  • Seventeen credit music business core of courses
  • Cotsakos College of Business Co-Requisites (minor) that when completed results in a waiving of 18 credits of most MBA programs
  • A faculty who work in the center of the industry
  • Visiting Resident Music & Entertainment Industry Expert
  • Yearly guest lecturers by industry leaders
  • Three required internships
  • Campus located 20 miles from NYC
George Dassinger's Media Use in the Music & Entertainment Industry Class
Adjunct faculty member George Dassinger's Media Use in the Music & Entertainment Industry class poses with Steve Walter, owner of New York City venue The Cutting Room.

Visiting Resident Music Industry Experts

Industry personnel who spend the year teaching across the curriculum

Aaron Van Duyne III (2008-2009)
Dave Lory (2009-2010)
Joe Riccitelli (2010-2011)
Harvey Leeds (2011-2012)
Sean Rosenberg (2012-2013)
Steve Leeds (2013-2014)
Paul Sinclair (2014-15)
Warner Music Group (2015-16)
Dan Goldberg & Matt Young (2016-17)
John Boulos (2017-18)
Mark Robinson (2018-19)
Kate Hyman (2019-2020)

Internships

Students of the Music & Entertainment Industries program have interned at major and independent labels, for major and independent publishers, for recording studios, booking agencies, and management companies. Students are encouraged to complete multiple internships in order to gain as much experience and make as many contacts as possible before graduation.

Joanne Kelsey
Joanne Kelsey, VP of Publishing, Administration & Licensing for Razor & Tie, was a recent guest on the Music Biz 101 & More radio show, hosted Dr. Stephen Marcone and Professor David Philp.

Music & Entertainment Industries Seminar Series

On five Tuesday nights in the spring semester, music and entertainment industry icons come in from behind the scenes to talk about their careers and answer student questions. Guests have included:

  • Julie Greenwald, President/COO of Atlantic Records
  • Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, GM of Beyonce's Parkwood Entertainment
  • Donna Eichmeyer - Live Nation VP of Marketing
  • Kenny Laguna - Producer, Songwriter, Joan Jett manager
  • Tommy Page - '90s Pop star and current VP Brand Partnerships at Cumulus Media
Lee Anne Callahan-Longo
Dr. Stephen Marcone, Beyonce's Parkwood Entertainment GM Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, and SiriusXM's Steve Leeds at a 2015 Music & Entertainment Industries Seminar event.

Campus Atmosphere

370 acre suburban hilltop campus locate 20 miles of New York City, with full on-campus residential and recreational facilities.

Performance Opportunities

Student ensembles in jazz and classical fields.

Student Club

Music & Entertainment Industries Majors and Minors are encouraged to join MEO (Music Entertainment Organization), a university-sanctioned club run by and for students. Elections are held each spring semester for a President, Vice President, Secretary, Social Media Marketing Manager, and Treasurer. The organization plans and produces events that are held both on and off campus, from a Rap Battle to Spring Jam to Open Mic nights. The organization provides students with additional opportunities and experience that looks great on a resume or LinkedIn profile.

Music Biz 101 & More

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Music Biz 101 & More is the only radio show/podcast in the United States of America that focuses on the business side of the music & entertainment biz. Hosted by WPU's Dr. Steve Marcone and Professor Dave Philp, Music Biz 101 & More combines industry-insider in-depth interviews with information students & DIY musicians want to know.

Music Biz 101 & More airs each Wednesday night, during the school year, at 8pm on WPSC - Brave New Radio (88.7 FM). Stream it live here: MusicBiz101wp.com Or download the show from your mobile device at Stitcher.com.

Recent guest lecturers have included:

Josh Baron, Kevin Liles, Craig Marks, Rob Tannenbaum, Aaron Van Duyne III, Jeff Price, Danny Goldberg, Adam Curry, Denny Tedesco, Sean Rosenberg, "Little Anthony" Gourdine, Adam Kornfeld, Dave Lory, Walt O'Brien, Derek Graham, Dave McPherson, Rob Fusari, Rob Kos, Wayne Goldberg, Daryl "DMC" McDaniels, Jerry Lembo, Bruce Carbone, Jake Slichter, George Gilbert, Ken Schlager, Dave Wolter, Jim Caparro, John Scher, Joe Riccitelli, Tom Calderone, Hanson, Jeff McClusky, Peter Thall, The Hooters, Dave Marsh, Dan Kennedy, Bruce Lundvall, Bill Werde, Al Branch, Tommy James, Brendan Toller, Fred Goodman, Jay Frank, Lesley Gore, Pater Gambarg, Paul Rosenberg, Randy Hoffman, Monte Lipman, LA Reid, John Seabrook, Barry Weiss, Stephen Witt, Ben Ratliff, Donna Eichmeyer, Julie Greenwald, Alissa Pollack, Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, Lori Majewski, Chuck Granata/Rob Fusari, Dominic Pandiscia, Danny Bennett, and Sean Striegel.

What our graduates say about us:

"The Music & Entertainment Industries program at William Paterson provided me a foundation in the entertainment industry which has benefited me in business for the past twenty years. Dr. Marcone's internship program allowed me immediate experience in the entertainment field to develop my skills and network with industry personal that lead to employment. The growth of the program is a testament to its success." —Sean Coogan, Director of Operations, Welk Resorts

"I'm a huge supporter of the Music & Entertainment Industries program at William Paterson University. I have never seen a program with so many success stories! In fact, throughout the program (with professors that are actual industry professionals and students who have since become) I have made dozens of great contacts, that I still have, to this day." —Elena Rossi, former National Coordinator, Radio Promotion, EMI Music.

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