If you’re passionate about the music industry, music business summer programs for high school students, offer a great opportunity to develop advanced skills and gain real-world experience. These programs provide hands-on learning in areas like artist management, music production, marketing, copyright law, and more. Whether you aspire to be a producer, manager, or entrepreneur, these immersive experiences help you understand the industry’s inner workings.
By participating in music business summer programs, you can build a strong foundation, expand your network, and gain valuable insights that can set you apart in this competitive field.
Here is a list of 8 music business summer programs for high school students!
1. Berklee College of Music – Music Business Program
Berklee’s Music Business Summer Program offers an immersive five-day experience designed for high school students who are aspiring artists, managers, and entrepreneurs seeking a deeper understanding of the music industry. The program covers key aspects such as industry structure, music rights, revenue streams, branding, social media strategy, and marketing, all taught by experienced professionals and Berklee’s esteemed faculty.
You will apply your knowledge by collaborating with emerging artists to develop branding strategies and release plans. The program culminates in a live pitch session to industry executives. Through seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities, you will gain hands-on experience and develop the skills needed for a career in the music business.
Location: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
Cost: $1,095 for tuition, $895 for housing, and $50 registration fee.
Program Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 years or older are eligible to apply.
2. Anderson University – Orangehaus Music Business Camp
Orangehaus Music Business Camp is a 7-day program that offers high school students a hands-on introduction to the music industry, covering key areas such as DIY recording, songwriting, fan engagement, and concert booking. If you are a singer or musician, you will be placed in a band and have the opportunity to compete in Orangefest, a battle of the bands showcase.
Developed by Anderson University’s music business faculty and award-winning industry professionals, the summer program prepares you for a future in the music industry. Additional opportunities include recording selected original songs, open mic performances, professional headshots, and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding talent and achievement.
Location: Anderson University, Anderson, SC
Cost: $725; Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Program Dates: June 22 – 28
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-19 years are eligible to apply.
3. Drexel University – Music Industry Summer Program
Drexel’s Music Industry Summer Program is an intensive, one-week experience designed for high school students interested in the business and technology behind the music industry. Led by Drexel’s experienced faculty, the program provides a deep dive into music production, recording techniques, artist management, marketing strategies, and music publishing, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how the industry operates beyond performance.
Through hands-on studio work, interactive workshops, and industry-focused lectures, you’ll explore audio engineering, digital distribution, and the role of technology in modern music production. You’ll also gain insight into how artists and labels navigate branding, contracts, and royalties in an evolving digital landscape.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,500
Program Dates: July 15 – July 19
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have completed their sophomore year by July are eligible to apply.
4. GRAMMY Camp – Music Business
Organized by the GRAMMY Museum, GRAMMY Camp is a seven-day, non-residential program designed for high school students aspiring to build careers in the music industry. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of music and its business, including vocal and instrumental performance, songwriting, music journalism, and audio engineering.
Each day begins with technical and theoretical instruction in one of seven career tracks, followed by hands-on projects and collaboration with peers. The Music Business track combines Marketing Management and Concert Production, equipping you with knowledge in touring, entertainment law, marketing, and entrepreneurship to better understand the industry’s business side.
Location: Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY
Cost: $3,000; scholarships available
Program Dates:
- Miami: June 8-14
- Los Angeles: July 13-19
- New York: July 27-August 2
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9–12 and who are U.S. residents.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Music Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research initiative designed for high school students, pairing them one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors to conduct independent research. While the program spans multiple disciplines, students interested in music business can explore topics such as artist branding, music marketing strategies, digital streaming economics, intellectual property in the music industry, and the impact of AI on music distribution.
Over the course of 12 weeks to one year, you’ll engage in critical analysis, hands-on investigation, and academic writing, culminating in a university-level research paper. The program provides personalized mentorship, research resources, and structured guidance, helping you build analytical and professional skills relevant to careers in music business, entertainment law, and artist management. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Individual Research Program (12 weeks): $2,990 | Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks) $5,900 | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) $8,900.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply.
6. NYU Tisch – Summer High School Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music
The NYU Tisch School of the Arts offers a highly competitive summer program for high school students through the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. This four-week program provides an in-depth exploration of music production, business, and performance.
You will study how music is recorded, produced, and distributed while gaining insight into artist management, marketing, touring, and the evolution of music companies. The program also examines how emerging technologies are reshaping the industry. With exclusive masterclasses from industry leaders, this experience equips you with the skills and knowledge to navigate the modern music business.
Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY
Cost: $14,437; Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply.
7. Rowan University – Music Technology & Music Business Camp
Led by experienced faculty and current Music Industry students, this summer program for high school students by Rowan University provides an immersive learning experience focused on music technology and the business side of the industry. The program includes specialized sessions on topics such as songwriting and DJ-ing, making it ideal for anyone eager to develop practical skills in music production and business.
Throughout the program, you will engage in both individual and group projects, presenting your work for constructive feedback from faculty and peers. By the end of the week, you will have gained foundational knowledge in areas such as audio recording, mixing, MIDI sequencing, mastering, songwriting, music marketing, record deals, and publishing.
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: Commuter: $500 | Resident: $900
Program Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years are eligible to apply.
8. University of the Pacific – Music Industry Summer Camp
The Music Industry program is a two-week summer camp held at Pacific’s state-of-the-art recording studios, led by the university’s Conservatory of Music faculty. You will explore various aspects of the industry, including sound design, recording, publishing, and licensing, gaining insight into the creative sector’s significant role in the economy.
Guided by Pacific alumni, faculty, and industry professionals, you will actively engage in creating, producing, releasing, and performing music. In the first week, the focus is on songwriting, production, recording, and branding, complemented by Q&A sessions with experts. The second week shifts to music business and marketing strategies, preparing you for a song’s release and live performance. The program concludes with an opportunity to present an audio recording, music video, marketing plan, or live performance.
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $3,650
Program Dates: June 2 – 12
Application Deadline: May 11
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 to 12 are eligible to apply.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like music, art, and culture, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here!
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