Music Schools: Are We Incubating Excellence?

Ron Sobel
President, North Star Media

Abstract

The author, based on his experience in hiring music school graduates over the course of twenty years, examines the role—and effectiveness—of music schools and their curricula in adapting to the evolving technological, consumer, and digital changes taking place in the reactive music marketplace. The profound advances in digital media distribution, complex licensing deals, and expansive consumer options have proven to outpace legislative, business, and teaching institutions’ abilities to stay ahead of the applications curve. The author makes the case that the rapidly-evolving music business environment demands a rapidly-evolving music education environment. Proposing a roadmap for developing highly-innovative, adaptive curricula, the author suggests that music business schools and conservatories must deliver on the promise and responsibility to incubate next-generation music business executives and artists through greater examination of contemporary music marketplace developments.

Keywords: music industry, music business, music technology, music industry curriculum, curriculum design

Sobel, Ron. “Music Schools: Are We Incubating Excellence?” Journal of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association 7, no. 1 (2007): 177-186. https://doi.org/10.25101/7.11

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