Music city accelerator
Learn how the business side of music really works. The Publishing & Licensing Course at Music City Accelerator is an eight-week, in-person class designed to help artists, songwriters, producers, and aspiring industry professionals understand how songs generate revenue — and how the publishing ecosystem supports creative work. This course provides a clear, practical introduction to copyright, royalties, licensing, and the fundamentals of music publishing.
This program blends interactive learning with real-world examples so you can build a strong foundation in the terminology, processes, and structures of modern music publishing. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn how rights function, how royalties flow, and how songs are monetized across platforms, recordings, and visual media.
Explore what publishing is, why it exists, and how it supports the songwriting ecosystem. You’ll discuss how songwriters earn income, how the role of the publisher has evolved over time, and how publishing fits into the modern music industry.
Learn the essential vocabulary of music publishing: mechanical rights, performance rights, sync licensing, copyright distinctions, and where each type of royalty originates. This session includes practical examples of how a song earns money across multiple uses.
Understand how copyright protects creative work, how to register songs, and how global platforms collect and track usage. You’ll also explore PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) and how they function within the publishing system.
Review the main types of publishing deals — administrative, co-publishing, and traditional — and learn how key contract terms such as advances, recoupment, and duration shape these agreements. You’ll look at simplified clauses and discuss how creators evaluate opportunities.
Break down mechanical, performance, sync, and international royalties. Through case studies, you’ll analyze how a single song generates revenue through various markets and platforms.
Explore how songs are licensed for TV, film, advertising, and digital media. Learn how streaming, UGC platforms, social media, and global distribution affect publishing income, and practice crafting a basic sync pitch.
Understand the difference between publishing administrators and traditional publishers. Examine emerging trends such as AI, independent publishing, and creator-driven catalogs — and how they change the landscape for modern songwriters.
The final week covers relationship-building, industry roles, and practical next steps for songwriters and aspiring professionals. Students complete a final project that demonstrates their understanding of rights, revenue, and publishing strategy.
This in-person class is ideal for songwriters, producers, musicians, artist-managers, and anyone seeking a clearer understanding of how the publishing side of the industry works. No prior music business experience is required.
By the end of the program, students will have a structured understanding of publishing terminology, revenue pathways, copyright processes, deal types, rights management, sync licensing, and the evolving ecosystem of the music industry.
Enrollment for the Publishing & Licensing Course is open now! Explore program details, upcoming start dates, and schedule a conversation with an advisor to determine whether this course aligns with your goals.
Student Notice / Disclaimer: These courses are designed for personal enrichment, hobbyists, and individuals interested in exploring music and audio production for fun and creative expression. They do not provide professional certification, career training, or prepare students for professional employment in the music industry. Students should not consider these programs as professional music industry preparation, licensing, or certification. The goal is to foster creativity, skill development, and enjoyment in a supportive, non-professional learning environment.
© Music City San Francisco 2025
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Live Performance Begin: 7 PM – 10 PM
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Deborah Barsotti
Education director
deb@musiccitysf.org
More info coming soon!
Aprill Lacey
Executive Director
Aprill@musiccitysf.org
Contact Aprill for booking inquiries!
