student listening to a lecture

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Music students must pass a qualifying examination specific to their concentration during their fourth semester of study. The rising junior jury determines whether the student has made adequate progress to qualify for entry to the 3000-level of applied music study. (4 years)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Spring – November 15 (All concentrations except Conducting)
  • Summer – March 1 (Music Education concentration and non-degree programs only)
  • Fall – June 1 (All concentrations)

Music Industry/Management, B.S.

Music Management (Bachelor of Science) prepares students for a variety of management-related careers in the music industry, including profit and non-profit sectors. The curriculum is founded on basic knowledge of music, experiences in performing and courses in business and music management. Graduates may work in a range of capacities at record labels and distributors or in artist and concert management, retail sales or music publishing. Students complete at least one internship with a commercial firm or non-profit agency as part of their programs.

The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

Program Highlights
  • Located in downtown Atlanta, the heart of a major music business hub
  • Course curriculum integrates album releases from some of the leading record labels and distributors
  • Guest lectures and work-intensive seminars presented by esteemed industry professionals
  • Professors work in the music business with more than 70 years of combined experience

Alumni from our program are working with some of the top independent and major music, management and media companies, including Streamcut, Blueprint Group, Adella Thomas, Entercom, ASCAP and Warner Music.

Many of our alumni are thriving artists, musicians, producers and entrepreneurs covering a range of genres from rock to rap to EDM.

Music Management prepares students for a variety of management-related careers in the music industry, including profit and non-profit sectors. The curriculum is founded on basic knowledge of music, experiences in performing, and courses in business and music management. Digital Portfolio Submission Required.

 

Program Details

A separate application to the School of Music is required. Students must submit required pre-screening audition materials or portfolios and must complete in-person auditions to be accepted. These deadlines and audition dates can be found on the School of Music website, https://music.gsu.edu/academics/application-and-audition-information/.

Prospective students applying for any Bachelor of Music degree program in any concentration (Performance, Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education or Music Technology) must perform a live audition before beginning first-year coursework in music. Audition requirements are explained below.

Prospective students applying for the Bachelor of Science degree program in Music Management have two options for admissions consideration:

Option 1:

  • You may give a live audition as an instrumental performer or vocalist (see below).

Option 2:

  • You may submit a digital portfolio as described below.

Equal consideration will be given to either option. Students need only complete one of these admissions processes.

Admission to the School of Music is based on the level of musical skill demonstrated in the audition and the availability of openings in the various performing areas.

Students who have been absent from the School of Music for twelve consecutive months must re-audition for reentry.

Audition Requirements for Prospective B.Mu. and B.S. Students

The audition requirements are determined by the applicant’s instrument and are not tied to the program of study. These requirements  can be found on the School of Music website at music.gsu.edu/undergraduate/audition-information/.

Digital Portfolio for Prospective B.S. Students Only

The School of Music recognizes that many musicians today have career aspirations beyond performance, including music management, promotion, arts administration and similar fields. Nevertheless, as a NASM-accredited institution, the School of Music requires every music major to engage in active music-making at some level. For those students who engage in musical activities outside the traditional genres of classical vocal, classical instrumental, contemporary classical music composition or jazz idioms, the School of Music is interested in learning how you engage in the musical arts. The audition portfolio provides a way for students to demonstrate their musical fluency outside traditional genres.

The digital portfolio should contain a minimum of three and a maximum of five audio and/or video recordings (not to exceed five minutes each) that show evidence of the applicant’s significant engagement in music. The successful portfolio will clearly demonstrate facility in non-traditional music making areas, including (but not limited to) computer-based music creation/performance, D.J. turntable mixing and popular musical performance (such as pop/rock band performance videos). Evaluators will base decisions on the overall musical quality and recording quality of the submitted electronic selections.

In addition to the audio and/or video recording submissions, the student is required to create and appear in a 60-second video describing the following:

  • Professional musical aspirations and goals,
  • How he or she may contribute to the musical life of the School of Music and
  • Why Georgia State is a good fit.

Recorded materials will be uploaded via a Web link provided at the time of application and evaluated by faculty of the School of Music.

Curriculum

B.S. In Music, Concentration in Music Management

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18)

Students in the B.S. program are advised to take a combination of courses from Area F and Area G during their first and second years of study.

  1. Required Courses (10): Course options are dependent upon the results of Theory Placement.
  2. MUS 10XX Appropriate large ensemble (4 semesters)* (4)
    • MUS 1090 Jazz Band (1)
    • MUS 1060 Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1062 Concert Band (1)
    • MUS 1061 Wind Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1070 Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1080 Men’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1080A University Singers (1)
    • MUS 1081 Choral Union (1)
    • MUS 1082 Women’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1083 Master Singers (1)
    • MUS 1652 Perimeter College Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1654 Perimeter College Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1656 DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1754 Perimeter College Jazz Lab Band (1)
    • MUS 1756 Perimeter College Jazz Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1758X Perimeter College Chamber Ensembles (1)
      * Ensembles: please note that students are assigned to appropriate ensembles by pool audition at the beginning of every fall and spring semester.
  3. Select two of the following options (4):
    • APXX 1001 Applied Music — Freshman I (1) and APXX 1002 Applied Music-Freshman II (1)
    • MUS 30XX Appropriate large ensemble (2 semesters) (2)
    • MUS 1710 Group Instruction n Piano I (1) and MUS 1720 Group Instruction in Piano II (1)
    • MUA 1800 Introduction to Guitar (2)

Area G: Major Courses (60)

  1. Composition Requirement (2)
    • MUS 4730 Computer Applications in Music (2)
  2. Music History/Literature Requirements (3)
    • Select one:
      • MUA 3810 History of African-American Music (3)
      • MUA 3970 Rhythm ‘N’ Blues, Rock, and Rap (3)
      • MUA 3950 Popular and Folk Music of the world (3)
  3. Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) Requirement (3)
    • MTM 3440 Entrepreneurship Music Industry-CTW (3)
  4. Music Management (22-23)
    • Required courses (16)
      • MTM 3010 Introduction to the Music Industry (3)
      • MTM 3030 Music Marketing and Global Distribution (3)
      • MTM 3050 Legal Aspects of the Music Industry (3)
      • MTM 3080 Internship (6)
      • MTM 4910 Music Management Senior Project (1)
    • Select (6-7) credit hours:
  5. Business Requirements (15)
    • Required courses:
    • Select (12) credit hours:
      • BCOM 3950 Business Communication and Professional Development (3)
      • BUSA 2106 The Legal & Ethical Environment of Business (3)
      • BUSA 3000 Globalization and Business Practice (3)
      • BUSA 3090 Survey of Business Principles for Non-Business Students (3)
      • CIS 2010 Introduction to Computer-Based Information Systems (3)
      • CMIS 4000 New Ventures in Creative Media (3)
      • ECON 2106 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
      • ECON 2105 Principles of Macro Economics (3)
      • ENI 3101 Entrepreneurial Thing for Startups (3)
      • MGS 3400 Managing People in Organizations (3)
      • MK 3010 Basic Marketing (3)
      • MK 4100 Buyer Behavior (3)
      • MK 4300 Advertising (3)
      • MK 4305 Social Media Marketing (3)
  6. Choose 14-15 credit hours to complete a minimum of 120 hours.

Applicants to the School of Music are automatically considered for talent-based scholarships. Program fees include locker, laboratory, and recital expenses associated with certain programs, classes and degree requirements. Students registering for an Applied Music course will be charged an Applied Music fee. For each 1000-level Applied Music course, a $200.00 fee will be charged. For other Applied Music courses, a $350.00 fee will be charged.

The School of Music provides unparalleled opportunities to study and work among an inspiring community of musicians in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. Students receive exceptional training, are provided with meaningful opportunities and begin serious careers no matter what type of music drives their passion. The goals and outcomes from a graduate degree include:

  • Ensuring comprehensive exposure to an array of perspectives as represented by the various faculty approaches to music performance, music history, music theory and teaching styles.
  • Honoring the continuing traditions of music making and pedagogy while exploring new forms and contemporary issues within the various musical fields.
  • Developing pedagogical skills and strategies through teaching assistantships for undergraduate-level courses.
  • Preparing students for a professional career in music through rigorous performance preparation, exposure to important repertoire and attention to practical business aspects of various musical careers.

Description

Careers

Graduates may work in a range of capacities at record labels and distributors or in artist and concert management, retail sales or music publishing. Students complete at least one internship with a commercial firm or non-profit agency as part of their programs.

Interest areas include:
  • Management
  • Publishing
  • Promotion & Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship

The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

Contacts

Admissions
[email protected]

Undergraduate Admissions
404-413-2500

[email protected]

Sparks Hall
Suite 200
33 Gilmer St. SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

School of Music
75 Poplar St, 5th floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

35 Broad St., 4th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.