Programs in music business and management prepare people to organize and manage musicians, music organizations, and music facilities. Students learn to coordinate and promote music performances and other music operations. They study legal issues related to music and the principles of business, marketing, and management.

Imagine if you were a concert violinist. On the days that you're not rehearsing with an orchestra or performing in a concert, you spend several hours a day practicing and learning new pieces to add to your repertoire. You might teach private lessons on the side.

Or imagine playing with your favorite rock group on their two-month, 23-city tour. Between sound checks and set up, performing and traveling from city to city, and conducting interviews and greeting adoring fans, it would be hard to fit in much of anything else.

Now imagine adding more responsibilities to your plate. What if you also had to arrange that massive concert tour and negotiate the contracts for all those appearances? And what if you had to meet with record labels and other related organizations to promote yourself and raise funds? What if you had to coordinate recording time in a studio and marketing for your album? You might end up spending more time as a manager or businessperson than as a musician. And that can be frustrating.

Whether you're a rising musician or a music lover with a keen sense for business, this program may be right for you. If you're not at a point in your career where you can hire a manager, it's important to learn how to market yourself, negotiate, and set up business deals. And if you're someone who, for example, wants to make sure that several rising Latino rappers you know get the representation and attention that they deserve, you can learn to make this happen.

As a student in this program, you first study the music industry on a broad level. Because it is complex, competitive, and intense, you need to understand its different areas and responsibilities. Then you learn principles of business and financial management, as well as marketing and fundraising. You might learn skills related to a certain aspect of the music industry, such as promoting artists, managing orchestras, or running a recording studio.

More than 100 colleges and universities offer degree programs in music business and management. You can typically earn either an associate or a bachelor's degree. An associate's degree typically takes about two years of full-time study after high school. If you can transfer those credits, a bachelor's degree generally takes an additional two years. Otherwise, you usually need about four years of full-time study.

Graduate study is best pursued through an arts administration program. In addition, some schools offer this program of study only as a concentration in a general music, arts administration, or business management degree program.

Depending on your program, you may be able to specialize in one specific area of this field. A couple of possible areas include music merchandising, music administration, and artist management.