In Stereo
Mark Zeigler (left) and Roy Stein (right)
Two profs sound off about the new music business major.
Generations of music majors chose between only two career options: long-shot performance careers or teaching. If only they had know about the spectrum of possibilities.
Today Nazareth's music business major, launched in 2008, prepares musicians for careers in arts management, music marketing, recording and production, and other facets of the industry. The students who've signed on range from rock drummers to cellists to singer/songwriters, so the program already sounds like a hit.
The major's co-directors—a classically trained conductor from the music department and a punk rocker-turned-lawyer from the business department—chime in about why this major rocks.
Mark Zeigler, Professor of Music
Musical Past
He studied classical guitar and choral conducting in college, but also logged several years as a California rocker." At a certain point, I didn't think I'd be successful as a rocker, so I went back to college to major in music."
Who This Major is Right For
"We look for quality musicians who possess a strong work ethic and desire to succeed. In other words, are they willing to hustle?"
Coolest Feature of the Major
Every student completes two internships with recording studios, orchestras, internet marketers, or other companies. "It's a foot in the door for future jobs. Students know at the end of each internship whether or not they will enjoy that work. And they can show potential employers that they have practical experience in both fields."
Career Prospects
With the music industry in flux, can you make a living in music? "As an artist today, you have more control of what you do. You can be an entrepreneur using your music and make a really good living."
Musical Sidelines
He plays in The Chairs, a classic rock band. Why call it The Chairs? "Well, the Doors were already taken."
Roy Stein, Professor of Management
Musical Past
Before he became a lawyer and business professor, he palled around with punker Joey Ramone (and has a photo on his wall to prove it). "Back in the early 1980s we'd hang out at the same places and liked the same kind of music."
Who This Major is Right For
"All our students are passionate about music, whether it's classical or opera or rap. They want it to be a part of their lives."
Coolest Feature of the Major
Unconventional homework. In Digital Recording, students play a lone instrumental part over a chord progression, then mail it to a classmate to add another track. After several tag-team mailings, a song is born. "We're trying to get students to master the professional recording tools and to add in their own creativity."
Career Prospects
Rumors of the industry's demise are overstated. "It used to be that major record labels were the gatekeepers. Now you can create a quality product and distribute it yourself to billions of people."
Musical Sidelines
He plays in the Atomic Swindlers (sounds like early David Bowie) and the Jet Black Berries (straight ahead alternative.)
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