TEMPO's core programming involves the delivery of 'The Music Business', a unique, school board-recognized, grade 12 interdisciplinary OSSD credit course (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) that complements traditional in-school music and business programs. To accommodate all learning types, 'The Music Business' is available to students as either a 'University' or 'Open' level course.
'The Music Bu
siness' features a combination of creative elements and both general and music-specific business concepts, and gives students a unique opportunity to learn about the music industry from within: TEMPO's primary teaching facility is located in Coalition Music, a functioning artist management company, record label, recording studio and performance venue, which acts as a space for mentorship, networking and collaboration to all students of 'The Music Business'. An intensive introduction to the music industry, 'The Music Business' consists of 110 instructional hours, ongoing mentorship, and unique, hands on work-place learning opportunities for all participating students. Specifically, students are introduced to the following subjects:
- Songwriting
- Music Theory and Skills
- Recording and Recording technologies
- Careers and post-secondary pathways in the music industry and the arts
- Entrepreneurship and music
- Business Structures and Communications, general and music-specific concepts
- Finance, general and music-specific concepts
- Marketing and Branding
Students also benefit from the following course features:
- Professional recording experience: students work with producers and engineers in Coalition Music's professional studios to record songs they have written throughout the course.
- Professionally mixed digital copy of the song that the student has written and recorded.
- Weekly workshops and seminars delivered by music industry and business professionals.
- Ongoing mentorship: TEMPO staff act as ongoing mentors to participating students as they complete the course and continue to explore opportunities in the music industry and beyond. TEMPO instructors are experienced Music Industry professionals, and deliver 'The Music Business' in collaboration with educators from the following educational institutions:
- The Toronto Catholic District School Board's Continuing Education Department
- The Toronto District School Board's Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts
- Wasse Abin High School (Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island)
- Nbisiing Secondary School (Nipissing First Nation, North Bay)
TEMPO also delivers “The Music Business Entrepreneur” outreach presentation which introduces students (grades 10-12) to entrepreneurship, career possibilities and post-secondary pathways, within and outside of the music industry. This 60-minute presentation uses the music business as a model to explain that pursuing a career path starts by identifying your passion, recognizing your strengths and matching them to a profession. Delivered by experienced music industry professionals and featuring a live performance by guest artist entrepreneurs, ‘The Music Business Entrepreneur’ is targeted at students with an interest in, or who are studying music, business or other arts programs.
