Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSB-1305 (Section: 70, CRN: 10315)
Survey of Music Business
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Blas Canedo Gonzalez
Email canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6547
Office Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center - Room: 126
Office Hours .
Office 144. Hours Monday and Wednesday 9AM to 11:AM; Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 to 3:30, Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00PM
 
">.
Office 144. Hours Monday and Wednesday 9AM to 11:AM; Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 to 3:30, Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00PM
 
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description An overview of the music industry including songwriting, live performance, the record industry, music merchandising, contracts and licenses, and career opportunities.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Required: Take Care of Your Music Business 3.0, John Kellogg (3d Edition), PJ's Publishing a division of PJ KELLY & Associates (January 1, 2021)ISBN-10 : ‎ 1736038303; ISBN-13  : ‎ 978-1736038307

Recommended: All you need to Know about the Music Business, Donald S. Passman, 11th Edition, Simon snd Schuster, Oct 24 2023  ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1797166085ISBN-13  : ‎ 978-1797166087
  •  
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Additional Materials/Resources Articles and videos provided each week through the Blackboard.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None">None
Learning Outcomes
  1. Explain basic music industry principles, including copyright, publishing, and performance rights (PSLO 3, 4) (PSLO 1).
  2. Explain the business of live performance, focusing on artist management, unions, guilds, entertainment agencies, venues, and concessions (PSLO 3, 4) (PSLO 1, 3).
  3. Identify the record industry systems, such as record producers, recording studios, manufacturing production, and distribution companies (PSLO 3, 4).
  4. Identify aspects of music related to wholesale and retail merchandising and the promotion of music products (PSLO 3).
  5. Summarize the use of contracts and licenses in the music industry (PSLO 3).
  6. Discuss career opportunities in the music industry (PSLO 3).
  7. Identify main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading materials, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the content (PSLO Alpha).
Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

PSLO ALPHA:

Reading Skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.


PSLO 1:

Applies commercial music sound technology to professional practice.
SLO 1: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply commercial music sound technology professionally.


PSLO 2:

Applies commercial music performance skills to support sound engineering practice.
SLO 2: Students will utilize commercial music performance skills effectively to enhance sound engineering practices.


PSLO 3:

Applies basic music industry principles to professional practice.
SLO 3: Students will integrate fundamental music industry principles into their professional work.


PSLO 4:

Demonstrates professional behavior as characterized by a commitment to the profession.
SLO 4: Students will exhibit professional behavior, reflecting dedication and commitment to their chosen profession.

Lecture Topics Outline

  1. The Music Industry

    • Overview and current trends
    • Key players and market dynamics
  2. Identifying a Music Production Company

    • Defining your niche and target audience
    • Steps to establish your production company
  3. The Three Big P's

    • Production: powerful product
    • Proper perspective to understand the business
    • Professional attitude
  4. Choosing the Proper Business Structure for Your Production Company

    • Sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation
    • Legal and financial considerations
  5. The Across-the-Board Deal

    • Definition and examples
    • Pros and cons
  6. Other Types of Deals

    • Licensing deals, distribution deals, etc.
    • Key terms and what to watch out for
  7. The New Business

    • Emerging trends and opportunities in music production
    • Adapting to changes in the industry
  8. Contracts and Accounting Statements

    • Importance of clear contracts
    • Basics of accounting in music production
  9. Exclusive Recording Artist Contract

    • Key components and clauses
    • Negotiation tips
  10. Statement Analysis of Recording Earnings

  • Understanding earnings reports
  • Common financial metrics
  1. Copyright Principles
  • Basics of copyright law in music
  • Protecting your intellectual property
  1. Exclusive Songwriter Contract
  • Components and key terms
  • Rights and obligations
  1. Co-Publishing and Administration Contract
  • What is co-publishing?
  • Benefits and potential pitfalls
  1. Statement Analysis of Copyright Earnings
  • How to read and interpret statements
  • Financial implications
  1. Personal Management Contract
  • Role of a personal manager
  • Key contract elements
  1. Statement Analysis of Management Earnings
  • Evaluating management performance
  • Understanding financial statements
  1. Live Performance
  • Planning and executing live events
  • Revenue streams from performances
  1. The Evolving Digital Age
  • Impact of digital platforms
  • Adapting to technological changes
  1. Incorporating the Information
  • Synthesizing knowledge for strategic planning
  • Steps for implementation
  1. Taking It to the Next Level: Moving You and Your Business Into the Future
  • Long-term growth strategies
  • Future-proofing your business

 


Major Assignments Schedule

This course requires weekly assignments by means of: quizzes of terms and names; reading comprehension assignments, accumulative exams, discussions, and final exam or a final project.

Final Exam Date May 6, 2025 - 9:0 AM   Through  May 6, 2025 - 3:0 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

Final Exam 35%

Assignments 35%

Essays: 30%

Course Policies
Instructor Policies

If you need to meet with me you are more than welcome to do so. Please send me an email to canedoba@lamarpa.edu to set an appointment with you. Meetings can be face to face or online.

Attendance and Participation

This is an online course and you are required to attend and actively participate in every week. Active participation is graded. Active participation means that you have to actively write on the discussion board, do your listening exercise,  and tests and follow up on a WEEKLY basis..


What counts as an absence?


This is an online course. Not submitting your assignments on time counts as an absence. More than 5 unexcused absences will make you fail this course. Attendance is tracked every week.


Academic honesty is expected

Artificial Intelligence are tools to support student work not to replace student’s original ideas and efforts. Assignments should have citations of where the information is found. If it proven that a student submits AI generated work for designated student generated assignments, the academic honesty policy will be followed.


 

Attendance Policy

Attendance and Participation
 

This is an online course and you are required to attend and actively participate in every week. Active participation is graded. Active participation means that you have to actively write on the discussion board,and follow up with your assignments on a WEEKLY basis..


What counts as an absence?


This is an online course. Not submitting your assignments on time counts as an absence. More than 5 unexcused absences will make you fail this course. Attendance is tracked every week.


Academic honesty is expected
 

Artificial Intelligence are tools to support student work not to replace student’s original ideas and efforts. Assignments should have citations of where the information is found. If it is proven that a student submits AI generated work for designated student generated assignments, the academic honesty policy will be followed.

Additional Information

Failure to submit weekly assignments on time will result in a 10% reduction in the total assignment grade if submitted one week past the due date. Assignments submitted after two weeks will automatically receive a failing grade. Students are encouraged to contact their instructors as soon as possible to discuss potential arrangements, if applicable, for their specific circumstances.

Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Chair:Dr. Blas Canedo Gonzalez
Email:canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6547