The Music Business Starter Kit
A modular curriculum designed to help students prepare for the business side of their music careers. This resource is built specifically for early-career freelance musicians - including graduating seniors and recent alumni - as well as faculty and career centers seeking vetted tools to support them. Whether students are entering the professional world as performers, instructors, composers, or recording artists, this curriculum bridges the gap between traditional training and the professional realities facing young musicians.
Upon completion, students will be able to:
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Obtain a federal tax ID number (EIN registration walkthrough)
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Accurately track revenue, expenses, and calculate net income
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Recognize what expenses are deductible
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Create and deliver professional invoices
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Differentiate between W-2 and 1099 work, and understand their tax implications
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Prepare for tax season with confidence
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Develop familiarity with essential tax forms (W-9, 8829, 1040-ES)
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Understand how to treat partial use deductions and depreciable assets
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Approach freelance music work with a sustainable, entrepreneurial mindset
Course Creator
Chad Rehmann is a composer for film and television, with credits spanning over 60 feature films and nearly 200 television episodes. He holds an M.A. in Music Industry Administration from California State University, Northridge, and has spoken at high schools and universities across the country on music entrepreneurship and the realities of freelance work in the arts.
The Music Business Starter Kit was born out of those visits. After years of hearing the same questions from students about how to actually make a living as a freelance musician, Chad created this course to bridge the gap between traditional music education and the day-to-day realities of a creative career. To ensure the information is both accurate and accessible, all business and tax-related content has been reviewed by accounting and legal professionals.
FAQ
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Do students need to download anything, or is everything hosted online?
Everything is hosted online. The Music Business Starter Kit is a fully web-based course that students can access through any modern browser on a computer, tablet, or phone. There’s no software to install, and all videos, templates, and resources are available directly within the course platform. Optional downloadable tools - like invoice templates and budgeting spreadsheets - are included, but not required to complete the course.
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How long does the course take to complete?
The Music Business Starter Kit is self-paced and designed to be completed in approximately 4 to 6 hours, depending on the depth of engagement. Within the four modules, it includes 12 short video lessons and presentations as well as practical templates that students can work through at their own speed. It could stand alone as a one-week intensive or assigned across a semester alongside related projects or discussions. It’s flexible enough to fit a variety of classroom or independent learning formats.
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Can students purchase the course individually, or do we need to license it as a program?
Both options are available. Students can purchase the Music Business Starter Kit individually at any time through the course website using a unique access code provided by your school, making it an accessible resource for anyone ready to take initiative on their own. For colleges or faculty interested in integrating the course into a class, senior seminar, or career preparation program, institutional licensing is also available. This allows schools to provide access for an entire cohort or class at a discounted group rate.
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Can faculty preview the course before recommending or integrating it?
Yes! Faculty and program coordinators are welcome to preview the course before making a recommendation or incorporating it into their curriculum. We offer complimentary access for educators who are evaluating the course for institutional use. This allows you to explore the full content, including videos, templates, and support materials, to ensure it aligns with your program’s goals and standards. To request access, simply reach out through the contact form below or email us directly at [email protected].
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Does this course cover copyright and publishing?
The Music Business Starter Kit does not currently offer instruction on copyright and publishing; however, we recognize the importance of these topics and are actively exploring them for future courses.