Music Business Graduate Programs

[te-problematique]

Hey guys,

I'm a student in New Zealand at the University of Otago (University of Otago, New Zealand's first university) studying towards a Music Degree with Honours (hopefully first class, fingers crossed!) and a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Marketing (double degrees are VERY common out here). I'm looking at graduate study in the music business area, so I'm looking at the Masters program (AEMM) in music business management at Columbia College in Chicago, I'm also looking at the M.A in Music Business at NYU Steinhardt. I'm also looking at a couple of courses in the UK. Both are MA's one at Westminster University and one at Kingston University. I'm really attracted by Columbia because it's an art school so I assume I'll still be able to find musicians to jam with, do sound for, record, argue politics with etc. etc. as well as other artists to collaborate with. Basically I'm not selling my musical side completely, I just like the business side of it too.

But anyway, my real question: Are the any people out there who have done post-graduate (Masters, PhD) at Columbia or who are currently doing it? What was it like? Did you feel out of place? did you get enough attention or was it more like you were just there to give credence to the undergrad school? Where would you recommend a post-grad New Zealander live whilst studying at Columbia? is there a grad hall? Also can you apply any of these questions to any of the other schools I mentioned? Can you tell me anything about any of them?

So many questions but if i evem get one answer i'll be very happy!

[te-problematique]

no one? anyone got an idea where a better place to ask would be? I mainly frequent nzguitars.com, here hc, ug, and dunedinmusic.com so i'm trying, but perhaps there's a better place to ask this?

[Vum]

CalTech used to have a program that was a combination MS/Ph,D. but I could be mistaken. I think though it was part of the physics and engineering departments as well.

[aotwmusic]

Call me biased because I graduated from there, but Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee has one of the premier music business schools in the country. Their list of famous and successful alumni is a mile long. They also offer a graduate program. You could check out Belmont University - Nashville, Tennessee - Middle TN - Liberal Arts College for more info, or, if you've got specific questions, feel free to e-mail me at angelonthewallmusic@gmail.com and I'll be happy to answer what I can!

[confooshus]

I really don't want to drag this thread off topic, but....

WHY would you waste all that time and money for a degree that has ZERO value? Anything you learn in a classroom about the music business is either already obsolete, or will be in the next 5 years. I just can't believe people keep going to school and majoring in music! Graduate degree?!?!

Do yourself a favor: contact anyone who is currently doing whatever job you want to ultimately do, and ask them what level of formal education they have, and if they think your current path is beneficial. And don't ask a teacher or professor unless that's what you want to be...

I'm not trying to come down on you, I just see SO many people doing this, and I believe they fool themselves into thinking everything will work out. It won't.