Module: Music Business

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Music Business
Module Code	MPA1076 (ITS: MC413)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

A module designed to give learners the skills to promote their music through the press and online, and to further their careers through developing projects and making funding applications. Areas covered will include PR and self-promotion, (including the creation of an Electronic Press Kit), understanding copyright laws and publishing rights, and how to make a coherent and effective grant application

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to develop their own press kits and promote themselves through the media and online via social media
2. Gain the technical knowledge to self-produce their own albums
3. Have the ability to prepare funding applications
4. Acquire valuable entrepreneurial skills which can be used in their professional life

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly, A one-hour weekly lecture-workshop
Independent Study	101	Developing an EPK, writing a grant application, research on the mechanics of performing rights
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20772	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jenna Harris	Module Teacher	Matthew Jacobson

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	PR and self-promotion project including setting up of an artist Facebook Page and the creation of an EPK	35%	Week 8
Essay	A 500-word essay, summarising the topics covered in the module relating to recording, including musicians’ rights, contracts and copyright laws	30%	Other
Assignment	Demonstration of skill-set on how to make a coherent and effective grant application	35%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Section one
Section one looks at PR and self-promotion and ways of presenting the artist, or artist’s group to the press and to social media.

Section two
Section two focuses on aspects of music recording from both an artist and record label side of production, as well as looking at musicians' rights, contracts, copyright laws, publishing deals etc.

Section three
Section three looks at funding opportunities in Ireland and abroad and addresses the skills required to put applications together for various projects.

Areas covered
- Producing an Electronic Press Kit

- Understanding Performing Rights

- Understanding copyright law

- Understanding contracts

- Development of skill sets in making grant applications

- Using Social Media as a marketing tool

- The effective use of websites as a promotional tool

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Peter Spellman: 0, The self-promoting musician, Boston, MA; Berklee Press, 0876391390
Mike King: 0, Music Marketing: Press, Promotion, Distribution, and Retail, Hal Leonard, 272, 087639098X
George Howard: 0, Music Publishing 101, Berklee Press, 31, 0876390629

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Website: IMRO FAQs on Irish Copyright Law, https://www.imro.ie/music-creators/about-copyright/faqs-on-copyright/