The music industry can be a difficult place to break into- it is ultra competitive, popular, and a dog-eat-dog industry.
Because of the glitz, glamour, and typically high paychecks as a result of working in the music industry, it is important to have a leg up from the competition. There is no better way of breaking in than going to one of the many top music management colleges in the United States.
These schools give students the tools to not only succeed in the classroom, but in real life situations as well. With that being said, not all music management colleges are the same; some are better than others.
Before you go applying to a plethora of schools, check out this list of the top music management colleges in the United States- from the prestigious, to the up and coming, to the affordable- and everything in-between.
Berklee College of Music- Boston, MA
Not to be confused with the Berkley in the University of California system, the Berklee College of Music is without a doubt one of the most notable and prestigious music colleges in all of the United States (if not the world).
Berklee’s alumni list includes an impressive array of former students, including such musical luminaries as Bruce Cockburn, Paula Cole, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Gavin DeGraw, South Park’s Trey Parker, the Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines, and John Mayer.
Berklee, which is situated on a beautiful campus in Boston, has a variety of music management classes which future young professionals flock too. The curriculum includes courses with titles such as Music Publishing, Emerging Music Business Models, Principles of Marketing, Legal Aspects of the Music Industry, and Creative Promotion in New Media- just to name a few.
Its stellar classes, coupled with a faculty of current and former music business big-shots makes Berklee one of the top music management colleges in the United States.
University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music- Los Angeles, CA
Known mostly for film and television, USC (which is located in the heart of sunny Los Angeles) also boasts one of the best schools for music management in the country. The Thornton School of Music takes advantage of the campuses close proximity to the major record companies in LA, and poaches current executives to come teach or just talk to the students, which can be incredibly helpful for an up-and-coming student.
For a freshman, the entire program is 4 years (or 132 credits) of pure music business, where everything is learned about the finer details of artist management, straight from the managers and artists themselves. With an alumni list that consists of a bevy of industry names and a perfect location, those are just two of the reasons why USC’s Thornton School of Music is simply one of the best.
DePaul University- Chicago, IL
While not as well-known as Berklee or USC, DePaul is slowly but surely carving a nitch for itself in the music world. Located in Chicago, IL, DePaul’s student body is varied and its teachers are universally skilled.
Boasting an entire degree program in music management, with an emphasis on administration, DePaul focuses on both the business, and the not-for-profit side of the arts.
DePaul is the perfect choice for any music management student that wants to attend a smaller school with a little less pressure, and is also easier on the wallet.