Sample Proposal IV: "Music Marketing" Proposed B.S. in Liberal Studies Wolfgang Amadeus — 555-55-5555 897 Judy Rd. Pasadena, Md. 21122 410/555-5555 E-mail: wamodeus@hotmail.com Title: Music Marketing (The title must not duplicate any existing FSU major programs) Self-Statement (All self-statements must briefly and clearly address how your planned course of study will contribute your life plans) I have always felt a deep love for music, including listening, studying and performing. I have been participating in various aspects of music since elementary school. As I progressed through public school and eventually into college, I always wanted to make a career in the field of music but was never exactly sure in what particular area. After studying both music and business at Frostburg State University, I decided that I, with the proper training and background, could be successful in owning my own music store. To be successful I this field I must obtain a thorough background not only in business and music but also in education. Beginning a business in any area I will need to have a basic understanding of how a business is run. The introductory business and economics classes have given me a basic understanding of the business world including how to balance supply and demand and product marketing. Taking the Legal Environment of Business class has given me an understanding of 1) how different types of business can be set up, 2) how business contracts can be entered, 3) where I would be able to set up my business. As owner and manager of the store, I will need management skills such as organizational techniques and leadership qualities. For my business to be successful I must acquire a well-rounded understanding of music, including the history of music, instruments used in composing music, different genres of music and works that might be found in each genre. By enrolling in Music History I and II last year, I have been exposed in depth to the full range of Western musical history, beginning with the origins of music in the church of the 1300's and 1400's through to the present. The methods classes offered by the music department have given me an understanding of the different types of instruments in the brass, woodwind, strings, and percussion families. From these courses, I have learned not only the history of different instruments in each family but also basic playing technique for each instrument. The only way truly to learn about different genres of music is to experience them first hand by actually participating in music. I have thus participated in several of the performing ensembles that are offered at Frostburg State, and I have participated in many of the ensembles for multiple semesters to be exposed to music literature available in each genre. As the manager of a music store I will serve the public who will look to me as a person of reference in my field. As a result, it will be important that I am not only equipped with the knowledge I need, but also know how to present it to the audience that I am serving in an effective manner. This is where my experience in the education department will serve me. Within the education department I have been exposed to a variety of situations and audiences. These courses have not only taught me how to present material to audiences of different age groups and backgrounds, but have also given me the chance to take what I have learned in the classroom and apply it to actual teaching situations. My final semester will include taking two classes that I need to fulfill the humanities and social science requirement of the second level GEP credits. These classes will consist of PHIL 102 and SOCI 220. The primary focus of the final semester of study will be the Capstone course, which will be MUSC 499, an independent research class, supervised by Dr. Jon Bauman. For this class I will be working directly with the staff at Ott Music Center in LaVale Maryland. This will give me hands-on experience in the field that I would like to enter in the future. As the conclusion of the study at the music center I will submit written documentation outlining the experience and what was gained from it. My study in the three fields of music, business and education has given me the education I need to successfully own and operate a music store.