Summit 2016
April 1-2, Washington DC

Session 9: Saturday 10:30
Moderator: Jennifer Fowler

Dave Kopplin
Professor of Commercial Music
Cal Poly Pomona

Current “Best Practices” in Music Industry Education

Based on a 2014-15 survey of MEIEA members, individual conversations with willing survey participants, and in-person interviews with administrators, faculty, students, and alumni at universities across the U.S., this project offers an overview of what music industry programs are teaching and what leaders in music industry education consider to be the current “best practices.” Additionally, this presentation will endeavor to suggest the kinds of environments that show the most promise for preparing students for life after the university.

The paper will also explore what factors contribute to growing and thriving music industry programs. By choosing university programs in similar music markets, and by investigating both private and public institutions in those markets, the data will also show how public programs can best use their resources, and can help private institutions consider what current or proposed programs are worth further investments.

The site visits have included interviews with administrators, faculty, students, or alumni at the following music industry programs: U-Mass Lowell, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University, Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Jacksonville University, University of Miami, and California State University Northridge, among others.


Clyde Philip Rolston
Professor, Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business
Belmont University

Tish Stewart
Senior Career Development Specialist, Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business
Belmont University

A National Survey of the Expectations of Employers Hiring Entertainment Industry Program Graduates

The purpose of this survey was to examine the personal attributes, professional skills, and technical knowledge of an entertainment industry graduate desired by prospective employers and to assist in identifying the critical elements of a profession-ready graduate in the entertainment industry. Over 280 responses were obtained from a national survey of persons working in entertainment related companies.  One hundred eighty-three respondents completed the questionnaire.

This presentation will provide a general description of the persons and the companies that responded to the survey, and their companies’ practices in regard to recruiting interns and entry-level employees.  Emphasis is placed on personal and professional attributes desired in entry-level employees as well as the academic preparation of those students.