The way we listen to, perform, pay for and view music has changed radically in the past five years so it makes sense that we also rethink the way we 'teach' music.
For Professor Phil Graham, who heads QUT's school of Music and Sound, being a musician need not be synonymous with being unemployed and broke.
Professor Graham's brainchild, QUT's new Masters of Fine Arts (Music Industry Professions), is about teaching musicians how to think like entrepreneurs and make the most of the new industrial environment.
"The more traditional MFAs are about teaching the art itself rather than how that can translate into a sustainable career," he said.
"Along with the challenges of the new industrial environment there are terrific opportunities, and that's what we explore with leading industry professionals from Australia and internationally."
The continually evolving course, which took two years to conceptualise, draws on a lifetime of experience from industry legend Adjunct Professor Sebastian Chase and Professor Graham. Its focus is on radically re-thinking the way music is 'valued'.
"The view of major recording labels fosters 'hit' type thinking where records that may have taken years to create are considered a failure if they don't make their money back in a few weeks," Professor Chase said.
"We don't expect that of any other industry, so why should we expect that of music?"
Instead Graham and Chase, and a roll-call of industry professionals - a "who's who" of the new music industry - are teaching students to think about the importance of reputation, professional networks, and the long-term value of their Intellectual Property.
And already the program, which is only two-thirds of the way through its first intake, is showing signs of success.
Of the 17 students in the first year of the program, most have received interest from indie labels in Australia, the US and the UK, with electronic duo Grand Pavillion preparing to tour Europe later this month.
"The way the course runs encourages students to form mentorship relationships with our industry guests. Those relationships are absolutely invaluable," Professor Graham said.
"It's not always an easy industry to navigate but we are teaching students both to make great art and make those connections and decisions that in the real world make all the difference."
For more information on the program visit the website.
Masters of Fine Arts (Music Industry Professions) Factsheet
Run from the Kelvin Grove Campus over three semesters (1.5 years) and delivered intensively over four weekends per semester.
Masterclasses with leading industry figures from Australia and throughout the world
Based at QUT's world class studios
Possible career - musician, music producer, music manager, music entrepreneur
Entry is by portfolio and/or CV
This year's course taught by:
Sebastian Chase: one of Australia's first music managers; looked after Rose Tattoo, Cold Chisel and Dragon to name a few, co-founder of rooAart and founder of The Metropolitan Groove Merchants (MGM distribution). Chase has also been a contributor to the career development of of artists such as John Butler, The Whitlams, Sneaky Sound System, Birds of Tokyo and Emma Louise.
Catherine Haridy: worked at Warner Music Australia and Festival Mushroom Records as A&R where she signed Eskimo Joe, George, and Gyroscope. She now runs Catherine Haridy Management looking after a number of musicians including Bob Evans, Eskimo Joe and Adalita and author Craig Shuftan.
Michael Parisi: from a music journalist to promotions manager, he's helped build the careers of acts such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers, REM, The Baby Animals, Henry Rollins, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg before moving into A&R where he signed acts such as Muse, Motorace and Machine Gun Fellatio. He now has his own label where he looks after acts such as Dan Sultan, Stonefield and Owl Eyes.
Bill Page: Creative Manager of Mushroom Music Publishing.
Simon Raymonde: the CEO of Bella Union record label which has released music by Fleet Foxes, Howling Bells and Dirty three. He is also a producer, mixer, bassist, and one of the original members of the Cocteau Twins.
Julian Mendelsohn: a recording engineer and producer who has worked on a number of top hits including Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Two Tribes and Relax; The Pet Shop Boy's It's a Sin and Always on My Mind.
Current MFA students
LCK
Grand Pavilion
Naked Maja
Drawn from Bees
Friends of Ben
The Good Ship
Andy Ward - Kings & Commoners
Dear Anonymous
RELATED ARTICLES
Here comes 'all you can eat' music
Music grad wins triple j Unearthed National Indigenous Music Award
Free QUT master classes map road to music stardom
Media contact: Alita Pashley, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1841 or alita.pashley@qut.edu.au
