MUB Blog 10: Homes for Music

In the syllabus we are suppose to be on Chapter 25: Music Product and in our class discussion we are on Chapter 17: Music Venues. To make this blog relevant, I decided to incorporate both topics into my blog: Homes for Music.

Different types of concert venues include: stadiums, amphitheaters, festival sites, arenas, theaters, and different sized music venues. I consider these “homes” for music performances. The promoter and booking agent are in charge of getting the venue for the artist. Full-length contracts music be signed and it is rare that the venue will provide all of the necessary equipment. Sometimes the venue will provide stage equipment and staff, but well-paid artists will bring their own. After the venue is booked, the contract is signed, the sponsors approve, and the promotion plan is set, tickets must be sold. Artist Merchandise will also be sold at concerts, usually on racks provided by the venue. If the venue provides labor, then the venue will get a percentage of total sales.

Speaking of merchandise, stores are “homes” for music retailers. The first thing that comes to mind when I think about music business is music retail. It may just be in the music educator in me, but I signed up for music business class because I thought it was going to be about retail and how to manage these kinds of businesses. Some of the best retailers I go to are the ones who have music educators as their employees (not young amateur guitars who try to tell me that a double French Horn has two bells--yes, this actually happened). The book defines music product industry to include “all musical hard goods and printed music.” Of course, the section that intrigued me was the “School Music” section of this chapter. The market for band and orchestra has three groups of customers: the professionals, the amateurs, and schools. School owned instruments, part of the largest consumer group, are obtained through a purchase order or bidding process.

Word Count: 333

Sources: Music Business Handbook by Baskerville (Chapter 17 and 25)