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For five years straight, Baldwin Wallace has been spotlighted in Billboard magazine's national list of Top Music Business Schools.
As the only Ohio school chosen for the 2025 Billboard Top Music Business School recognition, BW is part of an elite group of honorees.
BW's ongoing inclusion on the Billboard list reflects the outstanding quality of the university's music industry programs, which feature innovative courses, industry connections and successful alumni.
Both the music industry and arts management & entrepreneurship majors benefit from an interdisciplinary focus uniting BW's Conservatory of Performing Arts and Carmel Boyer School of Business. The music industry major is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Real-world learning is integral to the majors. BW has partnerships with Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Tragic Hero Records and indie music venues like Beachland Ballroom & Tavern. BW is also an educational affiliate of the national GRAMMY Museum.
BW's affiliation with the Rock Hall puts BW students alongside industry professionals for internships and other opportunities.
This summer, Hannah Tramonte '27 was one of three 2025 Artists in Residence chosen by Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As part of the experience, the music industry and voice performance double major was mentored by the Rock Hall's staff as she learned how to develop and promote her career.
Last fall, approximately 40 music industry and arts management students were invited to attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony as free guests of the Rock Hall. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the world-renowned event.
This fall, Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, was among a group of prestigious guest lecturers who came to campus to teach BW students as part of an arts leadership course on campus.
The semester-long course unites top leadership from some of Cleveland's most prestigious arts organizations. In addition to Harris, other guest lecturers include:
The opportunity, both educational and networking, offers myriad benefits spanning not only the current semester but also the years ahead as students in the course look to build their careers.
Harris, in describing the traits that make BW students outstanding arts professionals, credits the university for its decades-long approach to arts education.
"Baldwin Wallace University students stand out at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame due to the professionalism, preparedness and hands-on experience they bring to the table," said Harris. "The arts education that students receive at BW prepares them to thrive in the fast-paced, collaborative environment we foster at the Rock Hall.
"We currently have over 10 Baldwin Wallace students and alumni on our staff, with even more joining us through summer internships and our Artist in Residence program," cited Harris.
"BW's widespread connections to professionals in the industry give students a competitive edge for landing amazing jobs, whether they stay local in Northeast Ohio, go east to New York City, west to L.A., or anywhere in between," said Dr. Sean Murphy, associate professor of arts management & entrepreneurship and the area coordinator for BW's music industry program.
"BW continues to position itself as a national leader in both music industry and arts management education. Our reputation as a premier music school for aspiring artists and business leaders goes back several decades and spans all areas of the arts," he explained.
"We are proud of our students and graduates. We give them career-ready skills they can take to jobs in music streaming, artist management, concert venue management, music production and promotion," added Murphy.
Students in both the music industry and arts management majors benefit from classes taught by experienced faculty. Elective courses enable students to focus their studies on areas of interest. Three required internships and a senior capstone project with an external industry partner provide exceptional hands-on learning.
In addition to a four-year sequence leading to a bachelor's degree, there is a "two plus two" program. Transfer students from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) can participate in a degree partnership with Baldwin Wallace, which streamlines bachelor's degree completion for Tri-C recording arts and technology graduates who transfer to BW.
