ATHENS – Nestled about a 45-minute drive east from Muscle Shoals and about an hour or so south of Nashville, a pair of music industry capitals, Athens should be an ideal spot for all things music.
So, strike up the band.
Athens State University is launching a bachelor of arts in Music Industry Studies program this fall.
The program is designed to offer relevant experiential training opportunities in the music industry, including essential skills in music performance and production, recording and audio engineering, and music business and management.
The required industry training reinforced through practical artistic experience culminating in a supervised internship will allow BA in Music Industry Studies graduates to curate a portfolio and skill set appropriate to a multitude of careers in the music industry or future graduate study.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the program is how much it can be customized to fit the individual goals of those seeking rewarding work in the music industry,” said Dr. Kevin Kelleher, assistant professor of Music Industry Studies. “This flexibility is central to crafting a career in a field that offers so many artistic and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“The benefits of being part of such a vibrant community of creatives at Athens State and the Alabama Center for the Arts are essentially endless, offering a continual immersion in transformative events with a plethora of hands-on experiences for building a marketable portfolio.”
Classes will be offered at the Alabama Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art facility in Decatur that offers approximately 45,000 square feet dedicated to the performing arts. It features rehearsal spaces for music, dance, and theatre as well as a studio theatre and recital hall. The facility also has sophisticated resources for recording and music technology.
“Launching the BA in music industry studies at Athens State University offers a transformative step for aspiring music professionals,” said Pamela Keller, chair for the Fine and Performing Arts and professor of art at the Alabama Center for the Arts. “This program will equip students with the essential skills and industry insights to thrive in today’s dynamic music landscape.”
There is aggressive job posting demand for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes in Alabama and Tennessee. In 2022, there were 1,002 jobs in the region compared to an expected 806 jobs based on national averages for regions with a similar population size.
Music directors and composers also appear on the Alabama statewide list of in-demand occupations, and the BA in music industry studies curriculum would prepare students to pursue this career path.
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