Recognized by Billboard Magazine as an elite school that is "shaping the music industry's future," Music Business at CU Denver prepares students for emerging and established careers in publishing, artist management, venue and tour management, entertainment law, digital music marketing and distribution, and as independent entrepreneurs.

Focusing on the industry’s present growth and emerging trends, an extensive music business education is complemented with course work in music business, musicianship, audio engineering and music industry practice. The business curriculum covers many facets of the industry, including music publishing, marketing, artist management, concert promotion and talent buying, booking, new business models, the digital streaming ecosystem, legal issues, and royalty/financial analysis, and devolving and disruptive developments in this fast-paced industry.

Where Do Music Business Graduates Find Careers?

CU Denver Music Business students make the connections that lead to local, regional, and national careers. Graduates with a Music Business degree find professional success at a wide range of companies, including Warner Chappell Music Publishing, ASCAP, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Spotify, the William Morris Agency, Red Light Management, 7S Management, AEG Live, Live Nation, and Rolling Stone. Alumni work in music publishing, artist, venues, and tour management, music and entertainment law, digital music marketing and distribution, and as independent entrepreneurs. Visit our Music Business Alumni page.

"Audition Track" & "Non-Audition Track" Music Business Curriculum

CU Denver offers a Non-Audition Track and a Audition Track program in Music Business. The Non-Audition Track is designed for students who seek careers working behind the scenes in the music industry. There are less performance classes in this major which allows for more music business elective courses.

The Audition Track is designed for students who want both music business and performance classes in their studies. This track is perfect for students who expect performance to be a big part of their future career and want the music business knowledge as well. This allows for performers to be able to make better business decisions and also offers more career flexibility. Audition track students choose one of the same instruments as we offer for music performance and must pass an audition to enter the program.

Audition Track Primary Instruments Include:

How To Apply

Music Business - Non-Audition Track

For the Music Business - Non-Audition Track Program, applicants just need to apply to CU Denver and be admitted in order to pursue this major. No additional music application requirements are required.

Music Business - Audition Track

For the Music Business - Audition Track Program, the first step is to apply to CU Denver. After being admitted to CU Denver, there are additional music specific application requirements including an audition. Please note that the audition can be scheduled prior to CU Denver admission. The audition forms for each instrument and complete information about the audition track requirements can be found on the How to Applypage in the music section.

Music Business News

For more information about the Music Business emphasis and audition track programs, email the College of Arts & Media at CAMinfo@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-7487. If you would like to visit campus to tour our music facilities and learn more about our programs, you can view all of the visit day options here.