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Music Industry

Music Industry

Your Pathway for How to Get in the Music Industry Starts at South Carolina State University

Every concert, movie, TV show, and recording artist needs a team of experts who help bring their art to life.
At South Carolina State University, our bachelor’s degree in music—with a music industry education emphasis—helps you to develop foundational knowledge and skills related to the business, recording, and producing aspects of the music industry. While you’ll pursue various courses that prepare you for a career in music industry environments, you’ll also be able to put your learning to work through the opportunity to build a production portfolio and take on internships for music industry experience.
You’ll be ready to take your passion for music and build a future doing what you love.

A top accredited program in South Carolina

SC State’s degrees for music industry, music education, and other music-related programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. 

Method of Instruction

  • Face-to-face

Music Industry Education Program Highlights

Gain the knowledge and know-how you need to become a leader in a career in music industry here in the Palmetto State and beyond. At SC State, how to get in the music industry involves:

Hands-on experiences throughout your studies

From working in a recording studio to leading production for live performances, SC State students have the opportunity to learn by doing throughout their studies. You’ll also develop a portfolio throughout your music industry education and pursue internships for music industry experience—working with a company that specializes in the music industry business.

Honing your own musical talents

Students who pursue degrees for music industry professions take individual instrumental or vocal lessons and perform a senior recital before graduation. All music majors also complete seven semesters as part of an instrumental and choir ensemble, as well as various small ensembles. We offer a number of ensembles, as well as a concert choir, our highly acclaimed Marching 101 Band, and more.

Various business-related projects during your studies

When you’re looking at how to get in the music industry, know that we focus on more than just music courses. That’s why you’ll take classes such as Advertising, Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Business, and Financial Management. You’ll have a well-rounded degree for wherever your career in music industry takes you.

Getting involved beyond your studies

While SC State offers more than 50 clubs and organizations, students who pursue degrees for music industry professionals often get involved in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate and various music honor societies. These are great opportunities to connect and network with fellow students pursuing degrees for music industry jobs, and these opportunities may pay dividends while landing your first career in music industry environments.

Faculty who work in the music industry

With expertise as varied as the music industry itself, our faculty members will be there to answer your questions, help you land internships for music industry expertise, and find your first career in music industry. Many of our faculty members have decades of experience behind the scenes and as professional performers. Roland Haynes, Jr., is a production manager and performer for various concerts and musicals, while instructor Willie Bradley has worked alongside jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, and others.

groups
15:1
Student-to-faculty ratio in music industry courses
discover_tune
9
Music faculty members who know how to get in the music industry
schedule
4
Years to complete music industry education program

What Can You Do With a Music Industry Degree?

A career in music industry can be one of the most creatively fulfilling professions you can pursue. Degrees for music industry—specifically from SC State—can help you join this profession, which is growing 4% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Career in music industry options

With a music industry education from SC State, you can pursue jobs as:

  • Artist managers
  • Church music directors
  • Music producers or publicists
  • Recording engineers
  • Sound technicians
  • Tour managers

What You Will Study as a Music Industry Major

At SC State, our music industry education program starts with providing you a strong foundation in the art of music. You’ll take introductory music courses, join various ensembles, and take instrumental or vocal lessons throughout your studies.
Students who pursue degrees for music industry jobs will take specialized courses in areas such as:

  • Artist Management
  • Commercial Music Practices
  • History of Commercial Music in the United States
  • Introduction to Hard Disk Recording
  • Introduction to Music Technology
  • MIDI and Contemporary Song Writing
  • Musical Arts Administration and Funding

Internships for music industry majors are also required during your senior year, and our faculty members will help you secure these positions—which ultimately help you get a firsthand look into how to get in the music industry.

What Music Industry Graduates Are Saying

Meet Shonte Darby

“The music industry program provided me with the formal education and exposure needed to succeed and run my own company, Kingdom Cultured Media.”
Music Industry ’14