What does it take to be a number one hit in music these days? Aside from talent, every artist needs a strong team of professionals to market, promote, and manage their time and actions. Many of those talented professionals are learning how to do this right here in New York, as SUNY Oneonta was one of 21 colleges and universities featured in Billboard magazine’s 2019 list of “Top Music Business Schools.”
The annual list spotlights the nation’s top music industry-related programs. “Don’t expect to find students confined to classrooms at the leading music business schools,” the article reads. “For those seeking music careers, in front of or behind the mixing board, the following schools are at the top of their class.”
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, SUNY Oneonta’s music industry program prepares students for careers in a variety of fields in the music, media and entertainment industries, including management, marketing, promotion, merchandising, publishing, production and performance.
Students gain hands-on experience with recording hardware and software and have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and rehearsal spaces. Internships, hands-on field experience, knowledgeable faculty members, related minors, guest lecturers and networking opportunities allow students to tailor the program to their specific interests.
A new course called Digital Music and Beat Production allows students to develop their own unique portfolios of electronic music, loop-based and sample-based music, and music representing contemporary production practices such as those implemented in hip hop, pop, EDM, house, techno and contemporary rock music.
A long list of successful alumni in the industry means students have an abundance of networking opportunities. In December, more than 20 music industry majors and two faculty members got a behind-the-scenes tour of a Dave Matthews Band concert that included a surprise Q&A with Matthews himself. The trip came about through a connection with SUNY Oneonta alumnus Rit Venerus, the band’s business manager.
Other opportunities include 17 different student ensembles, some of which routinely perform at local music venues; an annual trip to the National Association of Music Merchants conference in California; and a new “Music for Life” Living Learning Community that lets music-minded freshmen live and learn together in the same wing of a First Year Experience residence hall.
