The music business industry is booming, and so is Loyola’s music business major.
Despite last year’s controversial loss of one of the program’s endowed chairs, Scott Fredrickson, many feel the program is growing better and stronger than ever before.
“A year ago, so many students were interested in the music business program, we weren’t able to accommodate them all,” said Dr. David Swanzy, interim director of the music business program.
Loyola also plans to reinstate the music business minor.
“A year ago, a student interested in a music business minor would have been encouraged not to do so,” said Swanzy.
The music business program currently has two endowed chairs. Jerry Goolsby holds the business chair, and Fredrickson held the music chair. Swanzy is the chairman of the search committee.
“Because this position is so important to us, we have actually hired a search firm,” Swanzy said. “Goolsby has a background in business with a very strong interest in music, the other chair will ideally have a musical background with some interest or experience in business.”
Although Swanzy is new to the music business program, many students feel the major is gaining a lot of steam.
“Everything is getting done,” music business senior Dave Hamilton and the president of Loyola’s chapter of the M.E.I.S.A. (Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association) said. “Before, it [the music business program] had direction, but there is so much more organization and collaboration this year.”
“Forum is run really well this year,” music business junior Jenna Cronin said. “There are really good speakers scheduled for this semester.”
Cronin said in the past, some meetings would be designated for M.E.I.S.A., but this year, every forum will feature an area professional.
“The salsa dancing demonstration was really inspiring during last week’s forum,” music business senior Daniel Skarbek said.
Even though the program is headed in the right direction, some upperclassmen are feeling the short-term effects of the changeover.
“They are re-evaluating the curriculum and we are in a transition,” music business junior Yuri Kwon said. “The department is looking for a new head, and we are still working with Risk Management so we can start putting on off-campus shows again.”
Kwon said she feels that real world experience is crucial to the music business.
“There’s no point in learning all of this stuff if we don’t get a chance to experience it,” Kwon said.
The majority of music business professors are area professionals -businessmen and musicians – who try to bring their life experiences and local connections to the classroom.
“One of my professors, Gregory Davis, is a member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and another, Professor Goolsby, is a very well connected local business man,” guitar and music business junior Greg Heaney said. “Goolsby has a very practical focus, like setting us up with jobs after graduation.”
Some students feel practical business class ideals clash with musical creativity.
“Teachers will tell you not to make music for a certain market, but then you learn to ‘do what sells,'” music business senior Paul Barnes said. “I don’t believe in those kind of dog-eat-dog behaviors or ethics. I think that mentality is a lot of what is wrong with the music business industry,” Barnes said.
Other students said they feel music business is the best of both worlds.
“I get to take my music classes and then go to another class and learn how to make money doing what I love,” Heaney said.
With a new chair, surely new changes will come, but for now, Swanzy says the program purposely focused on the practical aspects of music and the industry.
“The music industry as a business is dynamic and constantly changing. Whether it’s MP3 downloads or the future of CDs – all of these things have caused a tightening of the job market,” said Swanzy. “We are now purposely focusing on music entrepreneurship.”
