Prepare for an exciting career in the music and entertainment industry

The music industry studies degree at University of the Pacific is the first collegiate program of its kind in Northern California. It is a non-audition music degree which will equip you with the knowledge, industry connections and resilience to succeed in the fast-paced environment of the music industry.

Faculty

Benom Plumb

Benom Plumb

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Jelani Brown

Jelani Brown

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Bruce Chrisp

Bruce Chrisp

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Jeff Crawford

Jeff Crawford

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Eric Griffin

Eric Griffin

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Sylwia Lipiec-Qualls

Sylwia Lipiec-Qualls

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Andrew Mell

Andrew Mell

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Joshua Smotherman

Joshua Smotherman

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Degree Offered

Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies

Music industry studies seniors visit Los Angeles premiere music and entertainment companies

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Take the Next Step
Outstanding Student
Brynnea McGill '24

Brynnea has a passion for the business side of the music industry. She is proud of her administration and project management skills which she developed as a music industry studies major at Pacific. Brynnea was able to use these skills during her internship at Mack Avenue Music Group where she contributed to a Grammy-nominated project.

Music Industry Studies major Brynnea McGill

Why major in music industry studies at Pacific?

Through intensive, hands-on training opportunities and internships, combine professional practice with music business and music production education.

Get ready for a variety of careers in the creative side, the “buyer side” and “seller side” of the music business.

Connect with a network of professional alumni and music industry executives. Expand your knowledge via a minor in business, pre-law, film studies, computer science, communication or other.

  • Music business and music industry technology
  • Revenue streams of the music industry
  • Digital music and recording production
  • Popular songwriting
  • Music publishing
  • Music industry current events
  • A student-run record label
  • Music supervision
  • Artist management
  • Social media promotion and marketing
  • Music royalty analysis
  • Various hands-on professional practice opportunities

Invaluable Experiences

Internship Opportunities

You will have many hands-on opportunities to gain skills and experience needed for professional careers in the competitive music industry and to lay the groundwork for your future employment. Our students have recently secured internships and temporary positions at:

  • Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals
  • The BottleRock Music Festival, Napa
  • OutsideLands Music Festival, San Francisco
  • The Golden1 Center, Sacramento
INTERNSHIP DIARIES
What’s it like to intern at the Golden 1 Center?

Dylan Bliss ‘24 got an insider’s look at the live music industry during her internship at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. She provided concert support for top acts like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Tyler, the Creator. Dylan details what she did day-to-day in her internship, how Pacific prepared her for the opportunity and what advice she would give to students hoping to break into the music business.  

Dylan Bliss
a music festival stage and crowd
Program highlights
The Keith Hatschek Breakthrough Internship Fund

Established by Pacific’s Music Management Advisory Board, the fund provides financial support to Pacific students majoring in music industry studies, music management or in arts and entertainment who want to participate in off-campus experiential learning opportunities and internships. Funds can be applied to housing, travel and living expenses.

To apply or for more information: Benom Plumb, program director, bplumb@pacific.edu

Photo by Bella Nelson ’25, credentials assistant for the 2022 OutsideLands Music Festival, San Francisco

Program Highlights
Pac Ave Records

Music industry majors have the opportunity to work for Pacific’s student-run record label and music services company. 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 you build your resume.
Pictured: 2019-20 Pac Ave Records featured artist Issadora Ava ’21 works in Pacific’s Owen Hall recording studio. Ava’s EP “No One Belongs Here More Than You” was ranked in the top three of Music Connection Magazine (April 2020).

Music Industry Studies students in a recording studio
Leslie Ann Jones speaking at Pacific Music Industry Conference 2023
Program Highlights
The Pacific Music Business Conference

This annual one-day conference is open to the Pacific community as well as prospective students and parents. The free event features panels and masterclasses with high-caliber music industry guests. The conference gives music industry and music management students opportunities for private, one-on-one mentorships with the guests.

Pictured: The keynotes speaker at the 2023 conference was Leslie Ann Jones, Grammy Award-winning recording engineer and director of music at the Skywalker Sound Studio.

After Pacific
Alumni Success

Our graduates know how to make aesthetic and business judgments that enable them to step right into professional life after graduation. They acquire skills that identify them as potential leaders and enter a variety of careers including live entertainment promotion, music publishing and licensing, music recording and production or music distribution and streaming.
Pictured: June Benoit ’22, music publishing assistant, pop/electronic, at Create Music Group, Los Angeles

Music Industry Studies graduate

Our graduates work at companies and organizations such as:

  • ADA Music
  • Another Planet Entertainment
  • Apple Music
  • Aspen Music Festival
  • CW Television Network
  • Capitol Records
  • Concord Music
  • Create Music Group
  • Crunch Digital

  • Meta
  • Google
  • House of Blues
  • Kobalt Music
  • Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Live Nation
  • Mack Avenue Music Group

  • Pandora
  • Red Bull Music
  • Spotify
  • UC Theater Berkeley
  • Universal Music Group
  • Warner Chappell Music Publishing
  • Warner Records

Indispensable Connections

Music Management Advisory Board

Students in the Music Industry and Music Management programs benefit from the involvement of the program’s 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 occasionally serve as coaches or mentors on student projects. They also engage in valuable one-on-one advice at the Mentoring Brunch held each spring on the Stockton Campus.

  • Renee Albrecht, Associate, Contracts and Outside Counsel Management at SoftBank Group International*
  • Todd Brabec, Author, Educator, Attorney, Consultant
  • Kendra Clark, VP, Pritchard Sports and Entertainment
  • Will Crew, Product Manager, Facebook
  • Keith Hatschek, Professor Emeritus, Pacific Music Industry Studies Author, Educator
  • Alán Hensley, Director of Marketing/A&R, EMPIRE Music*
  • Samantha Juneman, SVP, Iconic Artist Management*
  • Sabrina Kartzman, Label Music Business Development Manager, Meta*
  • Scott Liggett, Co-founder Media City Sound, composer and producer*
  • Michael Lorda, COO at Unlimited Sounds Music Publishing & Distribution*
  • Brandie Louck, Event Producer, Live Nation*
  • Casey Lowdermilk, Assistant General Manager, Another Planet Entertainment*
  • Cookie Marenco, Founder, Blue Coast Music, Record Producer
  • Leonard Richardson, Former Vice President - Music, the CW Television Network
  • Bryce McLaughlin, Senior Manager, Music Insights and Strategic Projects, Apple Music*
  • Alicen Schneider, Former Senior VP, Head of Music Creative, Universal Studio Group + NBCUniversal Media
  • Phil SchroederComposer, Producer, Artistic Director and Playwright*
  • Andrew Stess, CEO of StessCo Consulting Group, Digital Music Business Entrepreneur
  • Denny Stilwell, President, Mack Avenue Records*

* Note: Pacific alumni

Contact Us

Faye Spanos Concert Hall
Conservatory of Music
209.946.2418

Faye Spanos Concert Hall, 3rd Floor
3601 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95211