Music Business Course Nashville
Learn the Music Business in Music City
Get on the fast track through the complexities of the music industry with this 15-week certificate program.
If you’re a driven individual, passionate about the music business and eager to gain insight into the ins-and-outs of this exciting $60 billion global industry – you’re in the right place! The Dark Horse Institute Music Business Certificate Program in Nashville provides the inside knowledge, real-world experience and earned confidence it takes to pursue the job of your dreams.
Hands-On Practical Experience
Like our Audio Engineering program, Dark Horse Music Business is taught in an immersive, real-world setting to help you enter the world of Music Business with a competitive edge.
Personalized Mentorship
Classes are deliberately kept small to ensure you receive personalized attention and support throughout your program. You’ll pick up new skills quickly with so much direct support from industry experts passionate about helping motivated new professionals get ahead.
Instruction from Working Industry Experts
You’ll learn directly from music industry professionals with more than 30 years of experience who are passionate about helping motivated individuals get ahead. Your instructors will share their hard-won tips, tricks, and tools of the trade with you firsthand.
Enhance Your Resume
You’ll leave this program with a professional portfolio of projects to prove to potential employers you have the know-how AND the practical, hands-on experience it takes to succeed.
Learn the Music Business in Music City
Get on the fast track through the complexities of the music industry with this 15-week certificate program.
If you’re a driven individual, passionate about the music business and eager to gain insight into the ins-and-outs of this exciting $60 billion global industry – you’re in the right place! The Dark Horse Institute Music Business Certificate Program in Nashville provides the inside knowledge, real-world experience and earned confidence it takes to pursue the job of your dreams.
Hands-On Practical Experience
Like our Audio Engineering program, Dark Horse Music Business is taught in an immersive, real-world setting to help you enter the world of Music Business with a competitive edge.
Personalized Mentorship
Classes are deliberately kept small to ensure you receive personalized attention and support throughout your program. You’ll pick up new skills quickly with so much direct support from industry experts passionate about helping motivated new professionals get ahead.
Instruction from Working Industry Experts
You’ll learn directly from music industry professionals with more than 30 years of experience who are passionate about helping motivated individuals get ahead. Your instructors will share their hard-won tips, tricks, and tools of the trade with you firsthand.
Enhance Your Resume
You’ll leave this program with a professional portfolio of projects to prove to potential employers you have the know-how AND the practical, hands-on experience it takes to succeed.
You'll Learn
As a student in the music business program in Nashville you’ll learn all about artist management, record deals, touring and publishing. You’ll also gain knowledge on all the key contracts you need to understand in order to work with artists or to launch your own career as a producer, songwriter, recording artist, audio engineer and/or touring professional.
Areas of focus include:
- Entertainment Business
- Artist Management
- Music and Publishing Law
- Principles of Songwriting
- Music Curation and Publishing
- Marketing
- Production and Songwriting Documentation
- Record Companies
- Publicity and Social Media Management
- Booking and Touring
- Merchandising and Sales
Below are some of the hundreds of insights and practical skills you’ll learn at Dark Horse Institute:
Understanding the Entertainment Business
- The History of Recorded Music
- The Impact of Digital Recording and Distribution
- The Current State of the Music Industry
- Trends in Digital Downloads and Streaming
- Key Roles in the Music Industry
Succeeding in Artist Management
- Discovering and Developing TalentBuilding an Artist Roster
- Developing Revenue Streams for Artists
- Career Management
- Personal Management
- Managing non-artists
- Developing Ancillary Revenues
Understanding Record Companies
- Major Labels
- Indie Labels
- DIY Labels
- Acquisitions
- Product Development
- Marketing
- Sales and Distribution
- Key Roles in the Record Industry
Succeeding in Touring
- The State of the Touring Industry
- Key Roles in Touring
Succeeding in Marketing
- Imaging and Branding
- Packaging and Manufacturing
- Marketing to the Company and Consumer
- Understanding the Product
- Understanding the Marketplace
- Understanding Consumers
- Key Roles in Marketing
Succeeding in Music Publishing
- Intellectual Property
- Copyright
- Mechanical, Performance, Sync, and Print Royalties
- Licensing Deals
- Songwriting Splits
- Sync Deals
- Music Supervision
- Key Roles in Music Publishing
Understanding Entertainment Law
- Artist Management Agreements
- Recording Agreements
- Producer Agreements
- Booking Agency Agreements
- Live Performance Agreements
- Performance Riders
- Publishing Agreements
- Songwriting Agreements
- Band Agreements
- Corporations and Not-for-Profits
- Fictitious Names and DBA Permits
Understanding Music Industry Finance
- Manager and Booking Agent Commissions
- Business Manager and Ent. Attorney Fees
- Recording Artist and Producer Royalties
- Advances and Recoupment
- Record and Tour P&Ls
- Artist/Promoter Splits
- Federal, State and Local Taxes
Do-It-Yourself
- DIY Booking
- DIY Record Company
- DIY Publishing
- DIY Marketing
- DIY Website Creation
In just 4 months you’ll have the skills you need to pursue an exciting career in the music business or to start your own entertainment company.
Get an Inside Look at DHI's Music Business Program
Learn By Doing
In this music business course, you’ll find and develop artists to learn about artist teams, marketing, and contract negotiation first hand. Using digital marketing platforms, you’ll scout and sign indie bands, and prepare them for the production of 6-song EPs recorded by our audio engineering students on-site in Franklin, TN, just outside of Nashville. You’ll also develop the web and social media marketing tools that are essential to launching a career.
Whether you are an artist, engineer, producer, manager, you will learn the skills to make a living in the industry.
Pitch Perfect
Our Music Business program will take you behind the scenes where your class will PITCH an artist to the head of a major record label and the A & R Department.
Nothing is more important than receiving hands-on, real-world experience. In our music business program, you will scout out talent which has the potential to make it big.
Here’s how it works… over the course of this program you will:
- Search the internet and performance venues to scout out the talent you believe in
- Curate their catalog for sync placements and single releases
- Create a bio and press release for that artist
- Research and build campaigns for radio stations, media, social media platforms, streaming playlists, international content, and brands
- Oversee and participate in a photoshoot
- Create graphics based on branding strategies
- Help to create a lyric video and/or music video
- Arrange and host co-writes for upcoming singles
- Record a single at Dark Horse Recording with professional production and musicians
- Compile a thorough and professional presentation
- Present to a major record label face to face in Nashville
You will be right there watching the artist perform for record executives, handle a Q&A session, and experience first-hand what it is like to get that big break!
An Exciting Time for New Professionals
The music business is going through dramatic changes—and that means opportunity for you. The advent of digital recording and distribution forced major labels to rethink their traditional methods, and now independent musicians and entrepreneurs like yourselves are forging new ways to make and market their music.
At Dark Horse Institute, you’ll learn the road-tested principles of the past plus futuristic solutions as to how you can succeed in the new music business.
Is a Career in Music Business Right for You? Find Out!
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Learn From Leaders in the Industry
All DHI instructors are leading practitioners with years of experience in their field. Take a look at some of the incredible talent that guides this program and their incredible contributions to the industry.
Visit our team page to learn more.
JOHN LUCASEY
John is a music industry veteran and founder of Studio 880, hosting Green Day, The Killers, and more. As Director of Audio Production for Walmart’s Soundcheck, he mixed Beyoncé, Drake, and other top artists. Now a partner at Lucasey Getter Creative, he champions emerging talent.
DAVID MULLEN
David is a singer, songwriter, and producer with 22 No. 1 hits and multi-platinum success across genres. A former Warner Bros. artist, he has developed talent and produced for every major label. His awards include Grammys, GMA, NSAI Song of the Year (twice), and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year.
Deepen Your Knowledge & Enhance Your Potential
As a graduate of the Music Business program, not only will you have the insider insights and practical experience to start making your mark in the music business, you’ll also be eligible for tuition discounts on other DHI programs.
Around 80% of DHI students ultimately take all three programs – Audio Engineering, Music Business and Songwriting and Composition. Gain professional audio engineering skills, explore your creativity in songwriting or both! Combine your interests and strengthen your natural talents.
Get the ongoing support and expert, multi-disciplinary training it takes to become a well-rounded music professional and take your career potential to the next level.
See It For Yourself - Book a Tour
One of the best ways to see if the creative, collaborative and professional environment at Dark Horse Institute is right for you is to come and experience it firsthand. Tours include an explanation of our audio program and curriculum, a video history of the school and a tour of both the Dark Horse Recording Studios and Dark Horse Institute campus. If you visit in the morning you may also have the opportunity to sit in on a class.
On-Campus & Virtual Appointments Available. Book a tour today!
Is an Exciting Career in Music Business Right for You? Find Out!
Fill out the form on this page and take the next step toward your rewarding future in the music and entertainment industry. You’ll get more information on all that DHI has to offer and a friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Adviser can help you to explore if accelerated, hands-on music business training is right for you.
To speak with an Admissions Adviser right away, give us a call at 1-615-791-7020.
Armondo composed & produced musical scores & cues for television & film post- production companies. He's traveled internationally to pitch music catalogs and is currently working as a sound technician for the Harlem Globetrotters as well as being a composer for Flavorlab and Invite Only Studios in New York.
“This was everything I wanted in a program; it was fast and to the point. I knew a little bit coming into the program but this experience at Dark Horse really dove deep and I’m excited to take on the world now!”
Emma is working full-time at Clair Global
(perhaps the largest live production company in the world)
as a rehearsal technician. This has given her the opportunity
to work with Greta Van Fleet, Blessing Offor, and Tucker
Whitmore to name a few.
“After taking Music Business, Audio Engineering and
Songwriting classes I now understand how the music industry
really works. My teachers were amazing.”
Massimo is a drummer, vocalist, audio engineer, and producer currently at The Franklin Theatre and The Ryman Auditorium as a live sound engineer. He has worked on several projects with Declan Weir Productions, Stonebrook Media, and with many independent artists on the road and in the studio. “It was a bit of a reality check to get a good grasp on the business side of things. It was so great getting to learn more about audio techniques. I knew a little coming in, but this really expanded on what I want to do and the course was great.”
Board Operator at WKQR Radio Portland, TN. “I’ve gone through all three programs at Dark Horse and made some great connections along the way! The atmosphere is inspiring, and they allow you to come in and use their studios at the school for free. It’s incredible!”
Alex works for Warner Music Group as an Audit Analyst and a Reporting Administration Analyst. Some of his past experience was working at Universal Music Group in Global Film & TV Data Contractor, and at Reel Whitty Werks as a Sync Licensing Intern. “I loved this course and all the things that I learned at Dark Horse. I feel like where I’m at now, I can record properly and work towards my goals.”
