Music Industry Studies — BS | University of the Pacific

Music Industry Studies degree at University of the Pacific is the first collegiate program of its kind in the region. It merges practice with theory along with intensive, hands-on training and internships to give students the knowledge and resilience to succeed in the fast-paced environment of the music industry. It was designed to prepare you for success in a variety of 21st century music careers. Plus, you will have access to a host of alumni and music industry executives who know the skills and characteristics they are seeking in future employees.

It is a non-audition music degree.

Pursue your passion

I chose Pacific because the music business program was unique and it was exactly the degree I was looking for. I love the small class sizes in the conservatory and I have made good connections with my professors. I chose Music Industry Studies because I had a passion for music. I hope to be a tour manager or work in some form of live music with my degree.

Ailey Butler ’22
BS, Music Industry Studies

Student Success

How to become a Tik-Tok influencer

What started as a senior project for Music Industry Studies major Axel Tanner '21 has quickly turned him into a major social media influencer with a following of nearly 400K.

"I went from being a senior in college with very few music industry connections to now owning a very valuable brand with playlists that everyone's trying to get on."

Learn more

Music Industry Studies major Axel Tanner

Notable program features

Non-audition admission
Option to pursue a minor in subjects such as business, computer science, communication, film studies and more
Hands-on experience in Pac Ave Records label (student-run) and at on-campus recording studio
Internships
One-on-one advising and career planning with program faculty and industry professionals
Conceiving and executing music and media projects such as recordings, videos, websites and tour packages
Media production and online media promotion, especially in conjunction with social media
Internships with music firms in various market sectors
Developing and completing a senior project that may be an application, company, product or service

Program Highlight

Pac Ave Records

Pac Ave Records is the student-run record label and music services company where students are coached by faculty and alumni mentors. This industry model was created in the spring of 2012 and provides you with hands-on experience while building your resume.

Pac Ave Records

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Breakthrough Internship Fund

A scholarship fund, established by the Music Management Advisory Board, which allows students to participate in off-campus experiential learning internships taken for academic credit. Students receive a stipend for their housing, travel and living expenses. Current Pacific majors in Music Management, Music Industry Studies or Arts & Entertainment are eligible to apply. To apply, contact prof. Benom Plumb.

Pictured: Board member Casey Lowdermilk '07 (far left) with the 2019 recipients of Breakthrough Internship Fund scholarships.

Music Management Advisory Board

Students in the Music Industry and Music Management programs benefit from the involvement of active Advisory Board composed of a broad set of industry leaders, company founders and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2008, the Board was the driving force behind the development of Pacific's innovative Music Industry Studies program. The members provide advice on curriculum, internship and job placement for students and alumni, and serve on occasion as coaches or mentors in student projects. They also engage in valuable one-on-one advice at the Mentoring Brunch held each spring on the Stockton campus.

Renee Albrecht, Senior Royalty Accountant, GLU Mobile*
Jorge Barriere, Principal, dB Artist Management*
Todd Brabec, Author, Educator, Attorney, Consultant
Tish Ciravolo, President and Owner, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars
Kendra Clark, General Manager, SMG/Stockton Arena
Bob Gallien, President, Gallien Technologies, Gallien-Kruger Amplifiers
Samantha Juneman, Director, Global Commercial Partnerships (Streaming) at Universal Music Group*
Sabrina Kartzman, Label Music Business Development Manager, Facebook
John La Grou, Founder, Millennia Media Systems
Scott Liggett, Co-founder Music City Sound, composer and producer*
Michael Lorda, COO at Unlimited Sounds Music Publishing & Distribution*
Brandie Louck, Senior Event Producer, AEG Live*
Casey Lowdermilk, Assistant General Manager, Another Planet Entertainment*
Jon Maples, Founder, Gimme Radio
Cookie Morenco, Founder, Blue Coast Records, Downloads NOW!, Record producer
Nick Phillips, Record producer, Zen & Tonic Consulting*
Cecil Ramirez, National Sales Manager, Mason & Hamlin Pianos*
Leonard Richardson, Vice President - Music, the CW Television Network*
Andrew Stess, CEO of StessCo Consulting Group
Denny Stilwell, President, Mack Avenue Records*
Brooke Wentz, Founder, The Rights Workshop and Seven Seas Music

* Note: Pacific alumni

View the board directory

Our graduates

Because of the individualized structure of Pacific’s program, our graduates know how to make aesthetic and business judgments enabling them to step right into their professional life following graduation. They acquire hallmarks that identify them as potential leaders and enter a variety of careers within the music and entertainment industries, including live entertainment promotion, music publishing and licensing, music recording and production, and music distribution and streaming: