Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication has become a staple in the global music industry. In 2023, it was selected as one of Billboard’s top music business schools. Klein College is also home to notable alumni. It’s where John Oates, KLN’ 70, met Daryl Hall, and in 2022, Ahmir “Questlove” Thomas received the Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award. As it continues to excel in the music industry, fall 2023 saw Klein College’s first semester of its audio and live entertainment major, and it continues to grow exponentially.
“Temple is becoming a much bigger name for music now, and it’s really exciting to see that being recognized,” said Emma Fox, a senior audio and live entertainment major.
As a testament to what Klein College offers in terms of music business education, two audio and live entertainment majors were recently selected to fill two part-time positions at Warner Music U. This is a subgroup of Warner Music Group that employs college students to promote and grow their up-and-coming artists. Fox is currently working as a content creator, and Alex Fisher, a junior marketing and audio and live entertainment major, is a market and events representative.
Fox and Fisher knew that they wanted to go into the music business upon entering college, but at the time, they were left on their own to figure out what that path would be like. Once the audio and live entertainment major was announced, however, both students jumped at the opportunity.
“It seemed like the perfect way to round out my time at Temple,” Fox said. “It was kind of a no-brainer.”
The audio and live entertainment major offers an adaptable, hands-on route for students. It allowed Fox and Fisher to not only explore different career paths but to hone their skills on projects that boosted their applications for Warner Music U.
“The major is very versatile,” explained Fisher. “You’re able to learn about all the different avenues of the music industry, many that people don’t know about, that could become potential careers.”
Fisher gives credit to the audio and entertainment major, along with the resources Klein College offers, to their success in getting a position.
“Without the school, or the people, I don’t know if getting this position would have been possible,” said Fisher.
Fox agrees, believing that it sparks excitement in students and teaches valuable coursework.
“In order to get jobs in the music industry, sure, it’s about experience, but it’s also about knowledge and passion,” Fox attested. “So, I think these classes definitely helped."
For Fox, her position as content creator at Warner Music U allows her to work directly with smaller artists. Gaining attention for these artists is something that she is very excited to take on.
“This is the first time in years that there’s been a Temple rep, let alone two in the same semester, so I’m really excited to bring these small artists onto campus and raise awareness about their work to students,” Fox said.
This also offers excitement to Fisher, but some nerves as well as he branches out into working with new genres.
“A lot of the artists are a little niche, and not in genres I’m used to, so I’m nervous about navigating that, but also excited to learn more,” Fisher said.
Both Fisher and Fox are hopeful about the experiences they will gain from their positions. Their roles allow them to work for a major label as college students, along with getting connected to a vast network in the music industry.
“I’m excited to work for a major label, gaining that experience, having access to a major network like that, and just seeing how operations are done surrounding artists,” said Fisher.
Fox, who graduates this spring, wants to keep working directly with artists as a career or continuing to develop her content creation skill. Fisher is planning on staying in the marketing field and wants to continue to gain music industry experience.