Outline

Overview

Music Business Skills is designed to prepare graduating students for the non-musical aspects of their forthcoming career. The unit is designed as an overview of the many different facets of the music industry, including setting up a small music business (including taxation overview and responsibilities), funding sources and alternatives, tour planning and budgeting, producing and designing promotional tools, dealing with record companies/music publishing, and other essential techniques and requirements of running a successful music business in today's competitive arts environment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jeremy Rose, jeremy.rose@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Interactive oral	Interactive Oral Present an interactive oral work-in-progress project outline and description - week 9 and 10	25%	Multiple weeks	4 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Grant Application Candidates must research and plan a large project	30%	STUVAC Due date: 18 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2,500 words plus budgets and quotes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Early Feedback Task - Canvas quiz Canvas quiz based on first 2 weeks of content #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 03 Due date: 20 Aug 2025 at 11:00	10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Mission Statement and artist biography Write a mission statement, goals and artist bio.	10%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Aug 2025 at 12:00	400 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Digital Portfolio and Small Business workbook candidate will create a Digital Portfolio and Small Business Workbook	30%	Week 07	1,000 words plus visuals/video links	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Task - Canvas quiz

Mission Statement and Biography

Mission statement and goals (200 words)

Artist Biography (200 words)

Digital Portfolio and Small Business Workbook

The Digital Portfolio and Small Business Workbook will contain industry documents that prepare the student for building their own creative small business.

Interactive Oral (4 min) + Peer Feedback
Present your work-in-progress project to the class in the form of an interactive oral. Provide peer feedback to others.

Week 9 and 10

Grant application

Task based on Creative Australia - Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

Apply for any activity relevant to your career. Please read the critera in the link below and discuss with your tutor if you have any questions.

https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/arts-projects-individuals-and-groups

The requested income for the project must be between $10-50k. Suggested projects include:

A 6 - 8 Australian tour for an ensemble of which they are either currently a member of planning to form or a hypothetical group.
An online video concert series
Setting up a recording studio/production house
An album recording/music video and release plan
A self-directed mentoring program

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission will normally be penalised by a deduction of marks according to the official policy (§11 of the Faculty Resolutions). In exceptional circumstances, dates may be negotiable; please discuss this with the Unit Coordinator in advance. Students who have genuine grounds for the late submission of an assignment or for missing one altogether should fill out an Application for Special Consideration.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Getting Started, The New Industry and the Power of Goal Setting Tutorial: Goal Setting, mission statement and elevator pitch.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Business Structure, not for profit organisations, selecting and protecting a name Tutorial: Setting up your business	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Performing Live, Booking Agents, Managers Tutorial: Developing your approach email and visual/audio assets	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Releasing Music, Music Distribution and Copyright Tutorial: Building your own contact database	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	APRA/AMCOS Guest Lecture Tutorial: Writing a Press Release (one-sheet)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Marketing and PR Tutorial: Writing a marketing and social media plan for a project. Write a testimonial.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Financial planning and taxation Tutorial: Prepare a tax invoice, start your business financial plan and budget	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Creative Australia Guest Lecture Tutorial: Assess Grant applications (give scores) and provide feedback. Starting your own project.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Funding Your Music: Philanthropy, Crowd Funding, Sponsorship, Grants Tutorial: Presentations week 1	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Record Deals and Record Companies Tutorial: Presentations week 2	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Music Publishing Tutorial: Working on your project budget and getting quotes	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Technology, Music and Business: The Future Tutorial: Project Timetable, Support Letters and Self Reflection	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Herstand A. (2019). How to make it in the new music business: Practical tips on building a loyal following and making a living as a musician. Liveright Publishing.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. set up and run a music business as a legal entity
LO2. view personal artistic practise as a business
LO3. develop short, medium, and long term goals for your career
LO4. demonstrate a general understanding of the value of self-promotion, and a general knowledge of techniques required to promote a music business
LO5. demonstrate an awareness of key funding sources, and have a basic ability to access these sources in a competitive and professional manner
LO6. self-design a project and grant application for your career, such as a tour, release, concert series or artistic development
LO7. investigate ways of diversifying a performance income.
LO8. Gain an overview of market trends and shifts in the music industry

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Introducing interactive oral instead of presentations for weeks 9-10, scaffold assessment

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

JAZZ3631: Music Industry Skills

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links