Course

Career Development for Musicians II

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Performing & Fine Arts
Course code
PEFA 1239
Credits
1.50
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course introduces students to real world music collaboration, contracting and income stream management. Topics include remote collaboration, recording, digital distribution, marketing channels, concert planning, touring, contracts, royalties and performing rights organizations.
Course content

 

  1. Recordings
    • the recording process: tracking, sharing files, mixing and mastering
    • artistic collaboration
    • record labels: types and functions
    • electronic and traditional distribution networks, online sales, radio airplay
    • aggregators, metadata, streaming platforms
  2. Concerts, concert series and event planning and development
    • venues and booking
    • marketing and publicity
    • seeking community, corporate and government support
  3. Setting up regional and national tours
    • touring options: festivals, club dates, concert halls, community music societies
    • practical considerations: funding, visas for international work, transportation and accommodation
  4. Royalties and performing rights
    • SOCAN, BMI, ASCAP and other performing rights organizations
    • media licensing for film, radio, and TV
    • publishing companies, self-publishing options
    • change of use and residual payments from recording
    • neighbouring rights
  5. Contracts and professional agreements
    • contract law
    • the role of musicians' unions
    • contracts for performances and recording
    • contracts for co-writes and songsplit agreements
    • contracts for use of published work, recordings or compositions
    • contracts and agreements with artist management and booking agencies
  6. The Release and marketing channels
    • radio 
    • social media
    • print media
    • visual media
    • launch events

 

Learning activities

Lecture/demonstrations for 2 hours per week with the instructor and guest lecturers from the music industry. Project-oriented assignments.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. This is an example evaluation scheme.

Quizzes 20%
Project I 15%
Project II 15%
Final Project 40%
Professionalism 10%

Projects may include but are not limited to:

  • intercultural collaborative production of a track
  • creating a songwriter royalty split contract
  • developing a plan for a concert or series of concerts
  • collating metadata for a digital release
  • creating a detailed plan for  recording and production
  • other projects appropriate to the specific career goals of individual students may be suggested by students and developed with the input and approval of the instructor.

Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work. 

Learning outcomes

This course is designed to prepare students for the successful pursuit of a career in music. Students will have completed projects that will be of practical use in their careers. 

By the end of this course students will possess an understanding of:

  • the planning, production and digital distribution of recordings
  • the organization of concert tours
  • performance royalties and copyright
  • music industry standard contracts
  • intercultural collaboration 

They will be able to:

  • work with collaborators remotely to co-write and produce a finished track
  • negotiate and draw up a songwriting split contract
  • identify appropriate marketing channels
Textbook materials

Readings will be selected from current open educational resources and industry websites. A list of required and recommended reading will be provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for PEFA 1239
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MUSI 3512 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU GE 1XX (1)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) No credit
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) No credit
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of Victoria (UVIC) No credit

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
5
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N2214
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Section notes

PEFA 1239 001 - Students may be attending some events off campus.