LOCAL H.B.C.U. OFFERS AUSTIN’S ONLY MUSIC BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND WORKING PROFESSIONALS, WITH ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW

New Six-Week Certificate Program Designed By For The Students, Offers In-Person Instruction From Multi-Platinum-Selling Music Manager Philip Payne

C3 Presents Also Signs On As Corporate Program Partner, Offering Potential Internship Opportunities For Local Graduates

AUSTIN, TX (September 15, 2023) – Huston-Tillotson University (HT), the first institution of higher learning in Austin, is proud to introduce the Music Business Foundations certificate program being introduced to local residents this fall, with enrollment available today at www.HTU-MusicBusiness.com. 

Housed at HT’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the six-week certificate program will be open to Austin-area undergraduates and adult learners featuring a first-of-its-kind curriculum developed and taught by working industry professionals.

“This is the next step in the university becoming foremost here in Austin. Embarking on this new Music Business Foundations Certificate is like opening a door to a world with endless possibilities. We are thrilled to unveil this exciting addition to our esteemed institution’s certificate offerings. This certificate represents a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and continued growth.

Designed for ambitious individuals, the Music Business Foundations Certificate presents a unique opportunity to delve into a dynamic area that defines Austin’s city. We are fortunate to partner with a prolific company like For the Students in the music space, and they have designed a program that combines rigorous coursework, hands-on learning, and cutting-edge research, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience,” said Dr. Rohan Thompson, Dean of the School of Business and Technology at Huston-Tillotson University. 

With over a decade of experience in the industry, including amassing over 25 RIAA gold and platinum records as well as multiple Grammy nominations for his clients, local Austinite-turned-music manager extraordinaire Philip Payne will lead the program with support from Dr. Rohan Thompson, HT’s Dean of the School of Business and Technology.

Classes for the new Music Business Foundations certificate program will be hosted in person every Wednesday for six weeks at 6:30 p.m., beginning October 25 through December 6. The multi-week program is available for just $500 with payment plans starting as low as $100 with only 25 total seats available in this inaugural cohort. 

The class schedule and weekly curriculum is listed below:

• Class 1 – Wednesday, October 25 – The Roles Around an Artist

• Class 2 – Wednesday, November 1 – Marketing to Today’s Consumer

• Class 3 – Wednesday, November 8 – Legal Aspects and Basic Deal Structures

• Class 4 – Wednesday, November 15 – Music Publishing Basics

• Class 5 – Wednesday, November 29 – Concert and Festival Promotion

• Class 6 – Wednesday, December 6 – Course Wrap & Final Project

Designed to play a major role in developing the rich pipeline of music business talent in Texas while offering a new hands-on professional education program, HT has partnered with For The Students (FTS) to oversee operations as the education company specializes in developing innovative music business certificate programs for universities across the country. 

Since launching in 2018, FTS has been instrumental in hosting live events with industry managers from Post Malone to J. Cole to Kaytranada, and organizing captivating speaking engagements featuring renowned music industry figures at esteemed universities such as Florida State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Virginia.

FTS played an instrumental role in curriculum development for the new Music Business Foundations certificate program, while HT worked to secure an exciting new partnership with one of the most accomplished and celebrated organizations in the music industry – C3 Presents – which is based in Austin with corporate offices less than a mile from the HT campus.

“We are thrilled and honored to announce the implementation of the Music Business Foundations Certificate at Huston-Tillotson University. This marks a significant milestone in our mission to prepare students and adult learners for careers in the music industry. We’re excited to introduce a revolutionary new way of learning about the business side of music with a curriculum we’ve been developing for over a year. 

We want to express our gratitude to the City of Austin for helping this partnership come together, as well as thank our internship partner C3 Presents for providing graduates of the program with an opportunity to grow in their professional journeys,” said For The Students founder Ogden Payne.

Austin-based C3 Presents, renowned for curating world-class music festivals, has united with HT and FTS to empower aspiring music business professionals. Through this strategic partnership, C3 Presents will offer select students paid internship opportunities, presenting students unparalleled insights into festival production, booking, marketing, and industry dynamics, alongside C3’s generous financial contribution to support the university’s music business certificate program.

Through C3 Presents’ donation, HT and FTS will also be offering a limited number of scholarships to help cover the costs of the program. Those interested are encouraged to fill out the online scholarship application, with financial support available on a limited basis.

Stay tuned for more details surrounding the fall curriculum, including off-campus excursions and future cohorts opening in spring 2024. For potential students looking to learn more about the program, including scholarship opportunities and additional courses being offered next year, please contact htu@forthestudents.co.  

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ABOUT HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY:

Huston-Tillotson University, the first institution of learning in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. HT is an independent, church-related, historically black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study. Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Learn more at htu.edu. 

ABOUT FOR THE STUDENTS:

For the Students (FTS) is an education company that develops innovative music business certificate programs for universities. FTS combines the expertise of top-tier professionals with a distinctive blend of digital and in-person educational approaches, offering a comprehensive suite of services. These encompass curriculum development, program facilitation and oversight, and instructor preparation. FTS’ goal is to help universities provide students with a well-rounded educational experience that equips them for success in the ever-evolving music industry. For more information about FTS, please visit fts.agency.