University of Montana Offers Unique Entertainment Management Program

An innovative new program at The University of Montana may lead students from the Rocky Mountains to the Hollywood Hills.

On Saturday, May 1, six students will become the first to receive certification from UM’s Media and Entertainment Management Program, the latest offering from the University’s School of Business Administration. The graduation ceremony will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Adams Center Sky Club.

http://www.umt.edu/urelations/releases/2004/042804entr.htm

“This is the only program like this in the country,” said Scott Douglas, the visiting instructor who organizes the specialized course. “Our students receive a priceless education from real industry experts.”

Students take classes in venue management, artist management, new media, and touring and promotion. Offerings may lead to careers as agents, tour managers, concert promoters, film producers and more.

The idea for the program came from prominent UM alumni who have become major players in the entertainment industry. In 2001 they promoted and held a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert in Billings, which provided seed money to get the unique University program started. Many of the alumni also volunteer their time as instructors.

Douglas said UM provides classroom space and campus expertise to support the program, but it’s largely self-supporting since students raise money through hands-on events they plan and market themselves. Their Spring Thaw concert will be held Friday, April 30, and next year’s class will produce another Mannheim Steamroller concert — this coming November in Missoula.

Douglas said the program limits enrollment to 35 students who have to write an essay and undergo a personal interview to be admitted. Subjects are dealt with during intensive, all-day classes on select weekends.
“Our students don’t have to be business majors, but they have to be willing to go the extra mile,” Douglas said. “Participants must get an A or B or they flunk. That’s reflective of the entertainment industry, which does not reward mediocrity.”

Nearly 40 entertainment industry professionals have been instructors since the start of the program in 2002. They included Mike McGinley of SRO Consultants, who does tour accounting for more than 100 major clients — including Sting, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crowe and the Rolling Stones. Another speaker was Brian Knaff, president and co-founder of Talent Buyers Network, which is the largest source of casino showroom entertainment in the country.
Douglas said the program’s dedicated instructors and built-in network of industry insiders makes UM’s program special and difficult to emulate at other universities. It also provides students with valuable contacts when they are ready to enter the entertainment field.

Shannon Boschee, a senior in marketing and art from Billings, will receive certification from the program on Saturday. She said the course helped her land an internship with MetraPark Arena in Billings, and she also works for a theatrical booking agency. In addition, the program has provided her several job leads to pursue after graduation.

“This has been a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s great that they fly in instructors to give an outside perspective — especially since Montana isn’t noted for its entertainment industry. I’ve always wanted to work in entertainment, and this should really increase my chances.”

Lee Hayes, a Helena senior in business administration, also will receive his certificate Saturday. When asked why he thought the class was valuable, he said, “It’s real. You are being taught by the best in the profession. They don’t write a book: They tell you straight up that this is what happened yesterday and this is what’s happening tomorrow. It’s all very cutting-edge.”

The six students receiving their certificates Saturday are Shannon Boschee of Billings, Jamal Cahoon of Charlo, Adam Cotton of Stevensville, Andrew Eastman of Billings, Lee Hayes of Helena and Courtni Osmun of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.