Course Resources Archive

The module will introduce students to the range of roles, functions and processes within a commercial music or recording company in the UK context., The module will equip students with a foundational working ‘map’ of a record company and associated business processes and personnel that will feed into later modules

This module will explore the roles of various industry personnel in 'standing between' the musical text, the corporation and the audience. It will allow students both to have a sound knowledge of the music industry as a planned industrial process and, at the same time, will offer an insight into how industry workers intervene in or mediate music production. It will therefore constitute the beginnings of a critical look at how the music industry shapes - and is shaped by - changing music culture. Academic writing and referencing skills will be covered in the module.

1.     Describe the key internal features and workings of a major record company including Artists and Repertoire (A&R), marketing, finance, business and legal affairs

2.     Describe the key external agencies that also have an active role either in supporting artists through collecting royalties or rights for musicians, or in acting as representative bodies for the music industry or for musicians (e.g. the BPI, MCPS-PRS Alliance, Music Publishers Association)

3.     Examine the ways in which record companies or external agencies act as ‘cultural intermediaries’ that shape the relationship between artists, audiences and the industry

4.     Undertake a well structured case study using basic skills of primary and secondary research

5.     Demonstrate provisional skills of primary research into the workings and functions of organisations explored on the module

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.