The music industry is changing faster than ever—and expanding worldwide. In this master’s degree, you’ll learn to meet the artistic management and entrepreneurial challenges of the global entertainment industry.
From crowdsourcing to music streaming, the way of doing business in the music industry is being revolutionized. Berklee's master in global entertainment and music business is part of that revolution. This one-year program is ideal if you have a vested interest in both music and business, and want to gain a competitive edge in the industry.
Global Perspective
Students from over 30 countries come to develop a global vision of the music industry and understand the tendencies in leading and emerging markets. Our multicultural faculty have experience across the globe, and we bring in industry experts to give in-depth thematic workshops on the nuances of markets such as the US, Japan, Sweden, Brazil, China, and France.
Tailored Curriculum
The program offers concentrations in three areas of the music industry: Live Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Record Industry. Students choose the concentration and focus on this area for the practicum course and the culminating experience project. In addition to choosing a concentration, students have the flexibility to choose several electives based on their interests and career goals.
Practical Experience
Getting hands-on, practical experience is vital to success after graduation. Students have the chance to work on real-life projects such as the on-campus record label Disrupción Records. Students also get to work on consulting projects to develop creative solutions for real companies and start-ups, such as Sony Music Germany, Kobalt Music Group, FUGA, Chartmetric, Soundcharts, and Next Big Sound.We seek focused, motivated, creative candidates with excellent academic and professional backgrounds who can contribute skills that will benefit the program.
Ideal candidates want to:
Ideal candidates should demonstrate:
The master of arts degree in global entertainment and music business provides advanced instruction to guide and prepare music industry professionals to lead today’s global music industry as visionaries, executives, and entrepreneurs.
As a global entertainment and music business student, you will focus on the skills, concepts, and methodologies central to global business models and apply these models to the artistic management and entrepreneurial challenges of music and digital media in the contemporary international entertainment industry. You will strengthen your analytical and leadership skills, as well as your written, oral, and musical communication skills. As you advance your professional skills and knowledge, you will grow and excel as leaders of the global music industry.
Location:
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía - Anexo Sur, Avenida Profesor Lopez Piñero, 1
46013 Valencia (Spain)
Lenguage:
All classes are taught in English
Class Registration
Students will meet with their Program Director and/or their Academic Advisor during Orientation Week and will register for classes following that meeting.
Program Purposes and Learning Outcomes
In the global entertainment and music business program, students choose one of three concentrations and focus on this area in the culminating experience project and in a practicum course. Students enroll in a practicum course in the spring semester where they work on a project directly related to the concentration and also choose a related topic for the culminating experience.
In addition to choosing a concentration, students have the flexibility to customize their curriculum by choosing several industry-focused electives over the year. Students choose their electives together with an academic advisor based on their interests and career goals.
The culminating experience is the final project that students present at the end of the program and is related to their concentration. Through the culminating experience, students make a creative contribution to, and/or define and solve a problem that exists in, the profession. It is a major part of the master's program, and represents the educational journey students take throughout the year. Projects take shape and evolve throughout all three semesters, and the final presentation can be a research project, a creative work, or a practical project.
Note: Not all jury members will participate in each CE presentation and evaluation.
For more detailed information about the culminating experience, you may reference the Graduate Bulletin.
Artur Castro: Streaming Wars Continue
Artur Castro developed a case study entitled “Streaming Wars Continue” that aimed at providing research and a deeper look into the fascinating music streaming business models, and its challenges, opportunities, and strategies.
The case study begins with an overview of the economics of the music industry. The reader gets a thorough understanding of what rights exist in music, how the revenue is distributed on the value chain, and why the licensing of music is such a complex process, particularly when it comes to the streaming model. After that, the case study takes a look at the history of the music industry, from its beginnings to the current, streaming-dominated market. Castro provides an exhaustive look at the different players in the market, starting with a look at the big Western services, from Spotify to Apple Music to Amazon Music, and then focusing on the emerging players with great potential, the likes of Tencent in China, MelOn in South Korea, and Saavn in India. The second half of the case study explores the challenges and opportunities of streaming business models from an economic perspective. From the pricing strategy to Business to Business tools such as Spotify for Artists and the effects on usage, Castro presents the differences between the consumption of younger and older audiences.
Alejandro Jon Sabillón: Aigg
Alejandro Jon Sabillón is a multifaceted creator from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. He is a classically trained musician and has been an avant-garde award-winning DJ for over a decade, with performances in the U.S., U.K., Spain, United Arab Emirates, and Japan. He is interested in futurism, artificial intelligence, emotion, the nature of consciousness, and the interplay of these fields with music.
Sabillón’s culminating experience project is Aigg, the first record label for robots. Aigg uses the latest advances in machine emotion, intelligence, and creativity to develop exclusive synthetic artists capable of generating their own original music in collaboration with their human counterparts.
This master's degree program runs from September to July. View the academic calendar for the current academic year.
The graduate bulletin contains all the information relevant to Berklee graduate programs for the current academic year. Program information may change year to year.
Student policies can be found here.
The Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business is accredited by official authorities in both the United States and in Europe.
Berklee College of Music Valencia Campus (Berklee-Valencia), the authorized center of Higher Education in Arts, imparts this program under affiliation with Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV) and it is valid throughout the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
See accreditation and disclosures information.
On-campus graduate programs are designed to be completed in three semesters of full-time study or one full academic year—a consecutive fall, spring, and summer. The full-time summer term is six-to-seven weeks in length directly following the spring semester.
All students are expected to be in residence for the entire program (three academic terms). Furthermore, all candidates seeking to graduate must earn a minimum letter grade of B- in each course counting towards a degree requirement, attain a minimum GPA of 3.00, and complete all course work, the culminating experience, and other graduation requirements.
See "Student handbook" for more information about graduation requirements and academic policies.
1. Laura Kaae
2. Andrea Peters
Number of places available
Up to 40 students can take part in the Global Entertainment and Music Business program each year
The master of arts program at Berklee College of Music is designed to be completed in three semesters of study–or one full academic year: fall, spring, and summer semesters. There is an optional internship that takes place the fall after graduation for those who want to do an internship through Berklee for credit.
The GEMB curriculum is divided into three modules, with associated subject areas (materias):
Each module, with course options, is described below.
Click here to see the semester schedule.
Click here to see a sample schedule for the academic year.
This course provides a comprehensive look at entertainment law issues and contracts closely related to the music industry. Students learn to appreciate how the music industry deals in copyrights, exclusive/non-exclusive services, and reputation, image and goodwill through a variety of complex contractual frameworks. Students examine the different contracts specifically involved in music business practice such as publishing, recording, management, production, and live performance, as well as those regarding merchandising, sponsorship and endorsement.
Sample Syllabus for MB-551This course focuses on the accounting and quantitative tools of financial analysis that are used by busines professionals in corporate settings and investors. In the course, students look at finance in three ways: first, they discover how music companies record financial transactions in a booking system and calculate ratios of financial statements; second, they determine and understand financial calculations, both focused on the music industry in particular, as well as more general important overall business calculations; and third, they budget and fund music business ventures. Mastering these tools helps students analyze firms from a financial point of view and to measure ventures’ sustainability over the long-term. Students learn how to use financial analysis tools, both basic and sophisticated, to assess the potential of music enterprises, and create new businesses in the music industry.
Sample Syllabus for MB-553This is a seminar in which students learn interdisciplinary skills necessary to thrive in a fast-paced industry. Students explore the contemporary challenges that impact the music industry today, make predictions about future challenges, and work on solutions. Students meet with leaders and experts who will help them develop a global understanding of the industry. Students will also share in the responsibility for inviting guest presenters and organizing panel discussions with speakers of their choice, related to their professional goal.
Sample Syllabus for MB-575Students enroll in one practicum course directly related to their concentration (record industry, live entertainment, or entrepreneurship).
The online free-for-all approach in creative industries has destabilized payment models for music, movies or video games. This practicum enables students eager to test and develop emerging business ideas in the entertainment industry. To do so, students learn practical concepts, including market research, submission of business licensing application, location, organizational structure, financing, employee issues, project management and many other considerations. Students complete work that is extremely experiential in nature and based on the refinery and delivery of a business plan. Among other tasks, students complete a professional business plan at the end of the course.
Sample Syllabus for MB-611In this course, students analyze the current realities and evolution of the global live music business. This analysis of the live music industry contextualizes the relationship and power structures among the main stakeholders in the live music industry, from the audience to multi-national promoters. Students examine and evaluate the role of live performances in developing artists’ musical careers, as well as the expansion of niche markets, including the global festival market. They also examine the development of marketing and branding elements. In learning how the specific areas of events management interplay, students also explore the legal structures that operate in the live music industry, including performing rights and venue logistics, and they evaluate how these impact live music and its stakeholders both positively and negatively. Finally, students explore the future of live music, including the challenges posed by globalization, pressure upon local artists and promoters, and the gentrification of core urban centers such as New York and London.
Eligibility to this course is contingent upon securing a micro-internship before the add/drop deadline.
Sample Syllabus for MB-621This course provides students with practical experience in the development and management of a record label, through work with the student-run label, Disrupción Records. Through the course, students produce, market, and distribute a record of student work. In doing so, students gain expertise with the departments of artists and repertoire (finding talent among Berklee Valencia students; choosing songs to be crafted and/or recorded), business affairs (negotiating contracts with all the parties involved), production (completing masters and artwork, among other tasks), marketing (promotion, advertising and publicity of the music projects), and distribution (online and physical sales).
Sample Syllabus for MB-623Master's students in global entertainment and music business are required to complete a culminating experience. This experience may take the form of a directed study, project or internship. The student will work in consultation with his/her faculty advisor and/or the Music Business Department Chair to develop his/her unique project. The goal is to complete original work at a professional level. A faculty committee composed of the advisor and two other faculty will evaluate the final project that results from the culminating experience. The three-person faculty team will serve as the examining committee.
Sample Syllabus for MB-695Students in global entertainment and music business choose four electives to take. Electives are centered around five career areas of the music industry: artist management, live entertainment, production, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Students choose the electives that best fit their career goals and interests. The semester that electives are offered may vary.
“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” (Jay Z)
In this course, students analyze the current realities and evolution of the global live music business, an area of music which now contributes approximately 60% of revenues to top artists. This analysis of the live music industry contextualizes the relationship and power structures among the main stakeholders in the live music industry, from the audience to multi-national promoters. Students examine and evaluate the role of live performance in developing artists’ musical careers, as well as the expansion of niche markets, including the global festival market. They also examine the development of marketing and branding elements. In learning how the specific areas of events management interplay, students plan and potentially stage their own live events. Students also explore the legal structures that operate in the live music industry, including performing rights and venue logistics, and they evaluate how these impact live music and its stakeholders both positively and negatively. Finally, students explore the future of live music, including the challenges posed by globalization, pressure upon local artists and promoters, and the gentrification of core urban centers such as New York and London.
Sample Syllabus for MB-614No business like show business? This course offers an economic analysis of creative industries defined as industries that produce goods that provide artistic, cultural, or entertainment value for the consumer, including music, movie, television, sports, advertising, fashion, and video games. Students apply economic concepts to understand firms’ strategies as they evaluate, using economic reasoning, the latest trade and scholarly writings in the field. Students also analyze current events in world affairs thanks to classroom debates about controversial issues, and their effect on creative industries. Students also master tools and concepts that allow them to navigate these industries and anticipate emergent trends that shape business strategies.
Sample Syllabus for MB-557This course is an in-depth exploration of the processes and activities related to management of artists. Students learn how to represent an act by focusing on the many facets of the music industry a personal manager must address. Students learn about the different roles on an artist’s team and other people managers encounter, including understanding who is responsible for which tasks, and how to get the deliverables they need. Students also learn about the environment they must navigate as managers, including record labels, live events, contract negotiations, budgeting, union and government regulations, talent shopping, and more. Finally, students develop a tool kit in order to perform in the role of personal manager with skill and finesse through both theoretical and practical application of this knowledge.
Sample Syllabus for MB-613How do we define “talent”? How do we discover it? Create it? Develop it? How do we assess artists for their commercial, creative, aesthetic and cultural potential? Answering these questions is the role of A&R (Artists & Repertoire) within the music business. In this course, students learn what A&R involves, key elements of the work, as well as how the work is changing. Taking on the role of the A&R professional, students learn to assess talent in the following key areas: vocal performance, instrumental performance, stagecraft, songwriting, image, identity, aesthetics, work ethic, social media performance, and intelligence. Students also learn about cultural milestones reached in the music industry—the incredibly important moments when particular recordings secured their place in the history of popular art. Students listen to, and engage with, recordings that have achieved sustained cultural relevance; and in doing so, students strengthen their ability to work with artists to create works of profound cultural as well commercial importance.
Sample Syllabus for MB-626Leadership is one of the fundamentals of success in today’s age, both on the personal and professional level, and this course is designed not only to help students learn the many facets of the global entertainment business world and leadership in theory, but also to master the skills and experiences necessary to turn them into effective leaders in their own right. Students have the opportunity to learn from real industry case studies, understand the organizational implications of quality leadership and global implications on a variety of levels, and participate in a diverse set of activities and assignments towards developing quality sensibilities and practices as thoughtful leaders in whatever endeavor they might choose to pursue. They study human behavior, internationalization, leadership and communication tactics, and other organizational elements combined with a thorough application of these principles towards building a solid understanding and integration of what makes true leaders in the modern entertainment world.
Sample Syllabus for MB-555China has climbed into the top 10 recorded music markets, and is likely to head to the number one spot. India has similar potential. Latin American music businesses seem poised to benefit from the global appeal of Latin beats. Africa has increasingly assertive music businesses from Nigeria to South Africa. Meanwhile, in Europe, EU changes to copyright law look set to close the “value gap” between technology companies and content companies. In this course, students explore these phenomenon and more as they learn to prepare for, anticipate, and create entertainment industry changes. Students learn to analyze global music markets; to assess differences and similarities; and to evaluate various business approaches and best practices. In short, this course positions students as future music industry professionals with a truly global understanding and outlook.
Sample Syllabus for MB-627Through this course, students will acquire a detailed understanding of music publishing beginning with the signing of a songwriter through to the exploitation of an administered work via a synchronization license. We will look at the basics of copyright and how a music publisher handles its works in order to best monetize its catalog through print, mechanicals, performance, and licensing.
Students will also complete a detailed study of the clearance process of synchronization and the language and terms included in licensing agreements for film, television, video games and other digital media. This course will provide a comprehensive look at music licensing from the point of view of the various departments within a music publisher as well as from a music supervisor’s perspective.
This course will review the use of music in popular and current film, TV and advertising projects to look at aesthetic, artist positioning, and the relationship between the value of a song, pricing and a production’s budget. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be a music supervisor; work at a film/television studio or advertising agency’s music department, an international music publishing company, or an online media distribution company; or to start their own music publisher.
Sample Syllabus for MB-559In this course, students learn a variety of multimedia software, hardware, tools and strategies useful in creating compelling graphic design, posters, music videos and other visual media, especially using “guerilla” techniques (self-produced, low budget projects). The goal is to put more visual tools in the hands of musicians, to enable them to take control of their own visual brand and visual promotion, and to help students synthesize a variety of visual design and editing skills in order to increase their ability to express themselves artistically. Students focus all of their newly learned skills to produce a final project of their choice with guidance from the course instructor.
Sample Syllabus for MTI-543This course explores topics in electronic production and live performance techniques related to modern electronic dance music production, sound design, arrangement, and performance. Students generate content and create their own music while learning how to use Ableton Live Suite. Students learn to analyze electronic music, and explore techniques for remixing, performing, and creating electronic music.
Sample Syllabus for MTI-613This course provides a comprehensive analysis of online and social media options available for the promotion of entertainment products and services. Students review the plethora of online tools for marketing, including online advertising, social media campaigns, social media etiquette, and games and contests. Students learn to create a total branding plan for an entertainment asset. The capstone of the course requires students to create an integrated online media plan for the promotion of a new entertainment product or services.
Sample Syllabus for MB-615This course provides a comprehensive overview of the marketing of products and services by multinational organizations, with emphasis on international cultures and marketing strategies. Students learn about the practices of companies large and small, with emphasis on those in the music/entertainment industry who are seeking market opportunities outside their home country. Students also learn about the importance of viewing international marketing management strategies from a global perspective.
Sample Syllabus for MB-550This course provides students an opportunity to integrate professional and academic experience through internships. The internship site must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and/or the program director and must provide a learning experience that enables the student to meet academic and/or career goals. Through the internship, students apply theories learned in their graduate studies and explore aspects of the music, entertainment, and/or other industry as appropriate. Students who opt-in to the graduate internship program must complete their internship in order to graduate.
Please note: Students are responsible for securing their own internships. The internship must be secured prior to course registration. Students must complete approximately 100-300 hours during the internship. International students in F-1 status must obtain authorization on their Form I-20 from their International Student Advisor prior to beginning an internship.
Sample Syllabus for GS-595Optional electives do not count in program total credits.
Principles of Music Research introduces the tools of music scholarship, including reference and research materials in both book and electronic forms. Students develop the skills, attitudes, and understanding to research and write about music by learning how to approach various types of scholarly study within music and by increasing their proficiency with music library resources. Projects and assignments will be tailored to the individual needs of the student working towards his/her culminating experience or thesis project. Students learn advanced information seeking, assembling a literature review, evaluating current research, writing and documenting sources professionally and ethically, distinguishing primary and secondary research, and finding and applying for funding sources. Students taking this course should have the ability to recognize, identify, and define an informational need; seek basic information in a strategic way; locate and access basic information; and evaluate information sources for essential levels of quality and relevance.
Sample Syllabus for GS-510*Courses are subject to change.
*Elective courses subject to availability.
The Global Entertainment and Music Business program offers three program concentrations related to the main areas of the music industry—record, live entertainment, and entrepreneurship—giving insights into the different career opportunities the music industry presents. Students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge to practical projects and focus their culminating experience on the area of music they are most interested in.
Berklee Valencia innovates with its own record label, Disrupción Records. Students from the record practicum concentration scout and sign artistic talent to the label and its bespoke imprints, develop the talent, oversee recording and production processes, arrange for global distribution, and execute innovative release and marketing campaigns. In recent years, the label has added publishing and sync services and experimented with new products and formats such as NFTs. Through Disrupción, students undertake the full spectrum of record label functions, aiming to accelerate their future careers in the record sector and associated parts of the music industry.
Alumni who have taken this concentration now work in companies such as Universal Music Group, Altafonte, the Orchard, and Sony Music, or have successfully continued their own labels.
Within the live entertainment concentration, students collaborate closely with other programs to organize live concerts, music festivals, conferences, and other events. Students acquire skills in production, programming, budgeting, promotion, booking, and logistics. Students have participated in the live entertainment concentration at events such as INOCON, the DIY European Conference, Berklee a Les Arts, and have done their micro-internships at Serious Fan Music, Haldern Pop Festival, and NYBAC Media during the program.
Students who took this concentration now work for Live Nation, Arrival Artists, and Superfly, to name a few.
With the entrepreneurship concentration, students learn how to build, craft, and create their own businesses, developing their own business ideas into real enterprises. They receive consultancy on areas such as market research, financing, licensing, location, and organizational structure, and are given the tools to plan and run their business in the long term.
Students have gone on to work at companies including Auras Studios, Paperchain, the Anahad Foundation, and Kumo Records.
Besides choosing a concentration, students can customize their curriculum by choosing several industry-focused electives over the year (students can still choose any elective from the global entertainment and music business program regardless of their program specialization). Academic advisors assist students in choosing their electives based on their interests and career goals.
In order to give students a broader understanding of the music industry, we invite industry-leading artists, professionals, and visiting faculty to give lectures and workshops related to specific challenges and opportunities in the industry. Faculty visiting from the Boston campus frequently come to Valencia for special workshops and presentations. In many cases, students from all masters programs are welcome to attend visiting artist and faculty sessions, regardless of program.
Visiting artists and faculty change each year. Here are some of the visiting professionals who have visited campus in the past on behalf of the global entertainment and music business program:
Scooter Braun is the founder and chairman of Ithaca Holdings LLC, founder of SB Projects, and cofounder of TQ Ventures. He’s one of the major forces and innovators in the entertainment...
[Read more]Scooter Braun is the founder and chairman of Ithaca Holdings LLC, founder of SB Projects, and cofounder of TQ Ventures. He’s one of the major forces and innovators in the entertainment industry.
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Sophia Chang is a music business matriarch who has worked with Paul Simon and managed Wu Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, RZA, Raphael Saadiq, and D'Angelo among others. Her record company...
[Read more]Sophia Chang is a music business matriarch who has worked with Paul Simon and managed Wu Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, RZA, Raphael Saadiq, and D'Angelo among others. Her record company experience includes marketing at Atlantic, A&R at Jive, running A&R administration and operations at Universal, and acting as general manager of Cinematic Music Group, the label and management company for Joey Bada$$, Pro Era, and Mick Jenkins.
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Cliff Fluet is managing director of Eleven Advisory. He has over two decades of experience in digital strategy and advising, having practiced as in-house counsel and external adviser to...
[Read more]Cliff Fluet is managing director of Eleven Advisory. He has over two decades of experience in digital strategy and advising, having practiced as in-house counsel and external adviser to some of the world’s biggest names in digital, mobile, and social brands, and music, and live events. In addition, he works with artificial intelligence, blockchain and cryptography, and social and immersive video businesses.
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Although still early in her career, Southern California–based tour and project manager Alex Rivas has already worked with a variety of renowned artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Chloe x...
[Read more]Although still early in her career, Southern California–based tour and project manager Alex Rivas has already worked with a variety of renowned artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Chloe x Halle, Alanis Morissette, Ella Mai, and Jamaican artists such as Chronixx and Koffee. On each project, she has moved tours both domestic and internationally while retaining her individual style.
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Claire Mas has managed the digital strategy of top artists such as Sigrid, Robyn, Mumford & Sons, Ray BLK, and Hozier, among others. She is an influential voice in the digital music...
[Read more]Claire Mas has managed the digital strategy of top artists such as Sigrid, Robyn, Mumford & Sons, Ray BLK, and Hozier, among others. She is an influential voice in the digital music ecosystem, having previously headed up digital at Communion, led training for Music Ally, and managed independent artists.
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Shawn Barron is the man behind the signing of Drake, Diggy Simmons, Wale, Curren$y, and Ty Dolla $ign. He is now senior director at Atlantic Records and has previously worked for Universal...
[Read more]Shawn Barron is the man behind the signing of Drake, Diggy Simmons, Wale, Curren$y, and Ty Dolla $ign. He is now senior director at Atlantic Records and has previously worked for Universal Records and Koch Records.
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Ekaterina Bazhanova is the founder of Music Development Russia, a company providing services in different areas of the music business. Its key activities are artist development, music...
[Read more]Ekaterina Bazhanova is the founder of Music Development Russia, a company providing services in different areas of the music business. Its key activities are artist development, music business consulting, publishing, events, and music exports. Bazhanova has worked with artists such as Yuar, Tesla Boy, Poko Cox, On-the-Go, and НААДЯ, among others.
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Cherie Hu defines herself as a citizen of the music tech macrocosm. The main topic of her work is how technology transforms music and culture. Her written work can be found at Billboard,...
[Read more]Cherie Hu defines herself as a citizen of the music tech macrocosm. The main topic of her work is how technology transforms music and culture. Her written work can be found at Billboard, Forbes, Music Business Worldwide, Columbia Journalism Review, Pitchfork, and many other publications.
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Stephen Budd Music represents some of the most successful and influential producers, songwriters, mixers, engineers, remixers, and programmers from Europe and the U.S. In addition to his...
[Read more]Stephen Budd Music represents some of the most successful and influential producers, songwriters, mixers, engineers, remixers, and programmers from Europe and the U.S. In addition to his management services, Budd himself is a music cultural commentator and an advisor to music festivals and live events.
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Yvette Noel-Schure is a seasoned and respected industry veteran, and one of the top creative executives in the music PR business. She has developed press campaigns for a diverse roster of...
[Read more]Yvette Noel-Schure is a seasoned and respected industry veteran, and one of the top creative executives in the music PR business. She has developed press campaigns for a diverse roster of artists, including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Chloe X Halle, Prince, John Legend, and LeAnn Rimes, among others.
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The music business program had the pleasure of hosting Scott Cohen, the co-founder of The Orchard,...
[Read more]The music business program had the pleasure of hosting Scott Cohen, the co-founder of The Orchard, the world’s largest digital distribution company. Cohen is a world-renowned lecturer who visited the campus to discuss reinventing business models as we see them. Currently, he is a visiting professor at London Metropolitan University and is a member of the British Phonographic Industry Council.
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Steve Stoute is the founder and CEO of the brand development and marketing firm Translation, and author of The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of...
[Read more]Steve Stoute is the founder and CEO of the brand development and marketing firm Translation, and author of The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy. For more than a decade, Stoute has worked to identify and activate a new generation of consumers on behalf of iconic brands like State Farm, Jeep, and the National Basketball Association, helping them thrive in the changing cultural climate. He has worked with artists like Will Smith, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Iovine, and Solange Knowles. During his special visit to our campus for the Branding and Advertising Music Business seminar, Stoute shared his knowledge about the music and advertising industries with our students and gave them valuable advice on how to succeed in this evolving space.
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Industry legend Rob Dickins is former president and chairman of Warner Music UK. Dickins is...
[Read more]Industry legend Rob Dickins is former president and chairman of Warner Music UK. Dickins is responsible for the signings of Prince, Madonna, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (Chic), Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell, among others, to the UK company. Dickins visited our campus as a special guest for the final week of the Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business Degree Program A&R seminar.
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Named the official U.S. ambassador for the Global Entertainment and Music Business Program, Martin...
[Read more]Named the official U.S. ambassador for the Global Entertainment and Music Business Program, Martin Frascogna led an extraordinary week of seminars focusing on the U.S. market. Frascogna is an international entertainment attorney who represents clientele in 34 countries spanning six continents. His clients include international musicians, Grammy winners, international labels and tours.
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Stef Pascual handles digital strategy and marketing for a variety of music and live events and media clients like Fusion Festival, Becky Hill, Ella Henderson, and Stacey Solomon. She is...
[Read more]Stef Pascual handles digital strategy and marketing for a variety of music and live events and media clients like Fusion Festival, Becky Hill, Ella Henderson, and Stacey Solomon. She is also half of Silent Cult Records, an independent label founded in 2017.
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Scott McNearney, sponsors chief at SXSW Music, Film and Interactive, visited the Branding and Advertising Music Business seminar to discuss the ins and outs of festival sponsorship with our...
[Read more]Scott McNearney, sponsors chief at SXSW Music, Film and Interactive, visited the Branding and Advertising Music Business seminar to discuss the ins and outs of festival sponsorship with our students. For more than 15 years, McNearny has successfully directed and shepherded hundreds of uniquely integrated brand programs at the SXSW Conferences and Festivals, creating lasting and positive impacts on the world’s forward-most thinkers. Brand concert events led and developed with McNearny’s expertise include talent ranging from Jay- Z and Prince to Lady Gaga and Snoop Dogg.
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Panos Panay is the founding managing director of Berklee ICE (Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship) as well as a passionate entrepreneur and active startup mentor in the creative media...
[Read more]Panos Panay is the founding managing director of Berklee ICE (Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship) as well as a passionate entrepreneur and active startup mentor in the creative media space. As the founder of Sonicbids, Panay created the leading platform for bands to book gigs and market themselves online, building a subscriber network of 550,000 bands and 35,000 promoters from over 100 countries. As a passionate arts and business advocate, Panos serves on a number of boards, including as the chair of Berklee's Presidential Advisory Council for six years.
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Don and Dale Franzen are a husband and wife industry duo. Don is a practicing lawyer of entertainment and business law, and counts among his clients leading figures in the music and...
[Read more]Don and Dale Franzen are a husband and wife industry duo. Don is a practicing lawyer of entertainment and business law, and counts among his clients leading figures in the music and recording industries. Dale has over 30 years of experience in the creative arts industry as an opera singer, artistic director, producer, public speaker, mentor, and consultant.
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When you are on campus, you'll find yourself in the midst of a multitude of cultures, backgrounds, and styles. Berklee is well known for their diversity of students and faculty, and on the Valencia campus we celebrate the musical creations and cutting-edge ideas that come from this blend of culture and backgrounds.
Master's students come from all over the world, and bring a wide range of experiences to share on campus during the yearlong program in Valencia. Students are the center of campus life, as they turn classrooms into laboratories and collaborate on innovative projects with students in other master's programs.
It’s not just the faculty and visiting professionals that inspire, at Berklee you will be surrounded by and collaborating with talented musicians and composers from around the world, both in the music business program, and from the other masters’ degrees on campus in performance, scoring, and music technology. It is in this collaboration that opportunities begin to form, relationships are built, and your creativity and ability to innovate are put on center stage.
Outside the classroom, music business students may find themselves working with students from the music technology innovation master's program to work on production for a student artist, or get some extra insight on sound engineering and mixing. Music business students also work with performers to gain experience in promotion, marketing, and artist management. In addition, there are many musicians on campus from all programs who enjoy coming together to perform at events on and off campus.
The campus is full of life, and there's always something you can get involved in. Extracurricular activities are optional and vary from year to year. Some opportunities are open for all students to participate in, while others are on an audition/application basis.
KB Killaz, led by Music Business Student Kyle Bagley
KB Killaz play an original song 'Apple tree' at the Commencement Concert 2015 held on July 11 in front of the Hemisfèric building located in the City of Arts and Sciences. Sixteen bands of graduating students performed on a floating stage in the middle of the enclosure’s artificial lake.
Global entertainment and music business program student Michael Deacon (a.k.a DX) performs 'Harvest Suite' by Adam Page and John Psathas at the Innovation ¡En Vivo! concert that takes place each semester and is open for all students to audition.
Berklee's Performance at the Valencia Open 500
During the Valencia 500 tournament's final ceremony on October 27th, 2013 a group of Berklee students performed an original arrangement of the well-known tune by Tina Turner, 'The Best.' Vocalist Daniel Omphroy, a student of the Master in Global Entertainment and Music Business, won the competition that took place at the Valencia campus to select the performer for this prestigious event. Joining him on stage were classmates Alexey León Reyes on saxophone, and Cassandra Allen and Jana Sustersic on background vocals.
'Happy' (Pharrell Williams cover) - Valencia Commencement Concert 2014
Global entertainment and music business students created a band during their year at Berklee to do gigs and shows around Valencia, they named their band after one of the classrooms on campus, A69. Here, the group 'The A69's' perform the song 'Happy' at the 2014 graduation concert.
Business Students Emcee Graduation Concert
Two students global entertainment and music business program were chosen to emcee the graduation concert, featuring performances by many students from all master's programs.
Business Students Host Benefit Ball
Students from the music business program planned and hosted a ball to support a local non-profit organization that helps people with autism to improve their personal development through music. The Ball was held at the Westin in Valencia and featured fellow students in special performances.
The Berklee Batucada Performs at the Valencia Open 500
Students may join the batucada group as an extracurricular activity, led by faculty member Mariano Steimberg.
Getting a master's degree from Berklee College of Music pushes you towards the next big step in your career, and the International Career Center (ICC) is one of the resources you have to help get you there. The mission of the ICC is to provide expert guidance, cutting-edge resources, and professional development experiences to help our diverse body of students achieve their career goals. Rather than acting as a one-time job link, our overall focus is on career management. We help you access available resources and activities and apply them to your career path.
Getting a master's degree in global entertainment and music business opens you to a world of possibilities in the music industry and beyond. After graduating, many students work in the world's leading music industry companies in areas such as artist management, music publishing, music supervision etc. Others opt to start their own ventures as entrepreneurs.
Succeeding in the music industry is all about building your professional network and making connections with the right people. Students are encouraged to take advantage of their time in Europe to attend or participate in the many music and performance-related events held in Spain and Europe. All event participation and attendance is optional and students make all the arrangements to attend on their own. In some cases, students may be able to access special offers and student discounts through Berklee.
These are the events that we recommend for global entertainment and music business students.
An annual international music conference based in Barcelona that gathers the leading minds in the world of music to exchange views on how music is being shared in today's digital age and discuss new developments taking place in music technology.
"Amsterdam Dance Event is a combination conference and club music festival centered around the many subgenres inside of the Electronic Dance Music scene from around the world. ADE's multiple conference tracks offer the ultimate annual business and inspiration platform in the field of electronic music, featuring dedicated programming for business professionals, start-ups, aspiring producers and musicians, students, VJs, visual artists and stage designers."
WOMEX is an international networking platform for the world music industry. The annual five-day event comprises a bustling Trade Fair, Showcase Festival, Conference, and Film programme, as well as festive Opening and Award ceremonies.
BIME PRO is the first European fair dedicated to the music and digital industry, it explores new ways of income and collaboration through new technologies, video games and marketing. A three-day program full of activities, lectures, networking, and special events.
BIME Pro connects national and international professionals, updates their knowledge and explores new business models through digital industries.
It is also the first European fair focused on the Latin American music industry, inviting top leaders of their industry.
IMS Ibiza is a comprehensive three-day event featuring live seminars and debates amongst the leaders of the international music community. Through keynotes, interviews, panels and technology master classes, our industry network comes together for thoughtful discussion about the direction and future of electronic music. The IMS Business Report, which has become the industry’s leading data study, is also presented at IMS Ibiza for a global snapshot of vital statistics about the industry. The event has become a major source of industry deals, press launches and is a talking point for worldwide media. Major brands like Corona, Pioneer, Nokia and Coca Cola have used IMS as a platform to launch important initiatives in the electronic music space.
"The Great Escape (TGE) is a new music festival that showcases emerging artists from all over the world. Over 400 up and coming bands play in 35 Brighton venues, accessible on one wristband. It’s the first place to discover your new favorite band and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages."
Berklee College of Music’s optional graduate internship program supports Berklee master’s students who seek to integrate academic and professional experience after completing the coursework and culminating experience projects required in their specific master’s program. This program will take place during an additional semester, following the completion of all course work, and students will be charged a part-time comprehensive fee. Note that students are responsible for securing their own internships and for securing all appropriate and required visa statuses.
All graduate programs at Berklee are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.), which is internationally recognized as an authority on educational quality.
The Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business is additionally accredited by Spanish educational authorities. Berklee College of Music Valencia Campus (Berklee-Valencia), the authorized center of Higher Education in Arts, imparts this program under affiliation with Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV) and it is valid throughout the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
See the details for each program:
Program General Competencies
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
To learn more about Berklee's accreditation, visit the college's official accreditation page.
You can apply to a master’s degree program online at berklee.edu/apply. The first step is to register for a new account if you are a new user, or to use your existing login information to create a new application.
Applications to graduate programs generally open in late summer for the following academic year. For more information, please check application deadlines on our website.
The global entertainment and music business program focuses on three main areas to help students grow in their professional development and gain a competitive edge in the market:
- Your network
- Your experience
- Your global perspective
We help our students develop a professional network by inviting high-profile and international guest speakers from all areas of the music industry to campus on a weekly basis. In addition, we provide opportunities to attend music industry conferences (at an additional price) to make more connections with industry executives and leaders. Plus, your classmates will form an important part of your professional network after graduation.
To develop your professional experience while studying on campus, the concentrations, the culminating experience (thesis), and the design of the courses provide opportunities for you to understand how the music industry functions on a global scale.
Valencia is a vibrant Mediterranean city, offering multiple opportunities for our students to develop creative projects. In the past, our global entertainment and music business students have created projects for the local community including the Women’s Empower Symposium, TEDxBerkleeValencia, Jazz para el Autismo, and countless live music events.
No. Global entertainment and music business applicants must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate leadership, motivation, intellectual curiosity, and promise of great achievement in their area of study.
The GRE or the GMAT is not required to apply for this program. However, if you have taken the exam you are welcome to send us your results during the admissions process.
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