Michael J. Sammis
Professor of Practice (Music Business)
While the Jacobs School of Music is experienced in turning out virtuosic performers, it’s also a rich community of music lovers, creators, and consumers. In conjunction with this community, the Music Business program was created for students who are interested in the breadth of music as a field: how it gets made and managed, who owns it and who it is for, how it is packaged and marketed, and how it achieves financial success.
The music business consists of individuals and organizations that create, or support the creation of, musical works and then attempt to create a market for those musical works through commercial means (e.g., streaming, film and TV placement, etc.). The industry is a vibrant, thriving network of creativity and commerce that has evolved significantly and is currently a ~$30 billion global business in the throes of a 10-year bull market. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Music is also a vital tributary to the broader ~$2 trillion global entertainment and media industry. This exciting, expansive, and prosperous network provides a diverse range of careers, available for individuals passionate about the business side of the industry.