Hofstra University’s music business program joined Billboard Magazine’s list of top music business schools for the seventh time since 2016. With masterclass workshops, a new recording studio, new faculty and almost 170 students, the program is on the rise and set to continue growing. 

Chloe Nasson, sophomore music business major, said that Terrance Tompkins, associate professor of music and coordinator of the music business program, is the reason why Hofstra’s program is at the top.

“[It is] his dedication to the work, and his dedication to students and his teaching, his knowledge of the industry [and] his connections,” Nasson said. “I don’t even know where I would be or if I would know where I want to be in five years if he wasn’t the one doing the program.”

Nasson cited a moment in her music technology class, where Tompkins came in and listened to students’ work.

“I have absolutely no experience in logic and mixing and producing, nothing, I have nothing,” Nasson said. “I made my first mix that [class] and [Tompkins] was like, ‘That’s really good, it could be in the background of a drama.’”

Hofstra Concerts and the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA) are both organizations that make up music business students’ extracurricular life. Tompkins makes it a point to support both, promoting MEISA in his classes and watching the performances at Hofstra Concerts’ Halloween event last year. 

“There’s a lot of communication and a lot of interaction between the faculty and the students,” Tompkins said. “It’s not just showing up and going to class and completing the assignments. A lot of the work happens, and the relationship is developed outside of the classroom, so there is a deep connection.”

According to Nasson, Tompkins was “pretty confident” Billboard Magazine would put Hofstra on the list. Jake Genest, senior music business major, discovered the news through the magazine’s Instagram post.

“I think it’s cool especially when you know the professors and the faculty that really put blood, sweat and tears into this. To see their efforts coming to fruition, that’s a special feeling,” Genest said. “You got to be happy for them and proud of them and I definitely am.”

Tompkins brought in multiple new professors, including Kenyatta Beasley, an assistant professor of music, who spearheaded the music technology offerings. Tompkins plans to add a music technology major, upgraded sound systems, post production studios and a black box theater. Master classes put students in front of industry professionals; students in a tour management master class followed a tour manager at the Brooklyn Bowl for a day.

“The music industry is a ‘connections game,’ you win by shaking the most hands,” Genest said. “And I think [Tompkins], who runs the program, is a great testament to that and that’s why he’s been able to bring in all these cool names for us.” 

Genest said he loves the program but desires classes like entrepreneurship in the music industry, merchandising and more live music industry offerings. Tompkins said academia moves slowly, so the program offers classes with curriculums that change every year to compensate. He watches for changes in the industry due to artificial intelligence and other technologies. 

Tompkins is creating a 4+1 program where students can get their music business degree in four years and masters of business in one. When he arrived at Hofstra, there were two courses offered in music business. He has since added arts management, advanced seminar and a global music marketing class.

Although music business programs were not prevalent when Tompkins was in school, he knew what he wanted to do, so he worked at record labels and festivals before discovering John Legend at Columbia Records. Outside of teaching at Hofstra, Tompkins performs in a band called “Midlife Crisis.”

“If that is the thing that is driving you and you want to make the sacrifices that are necessary, it’s possible,” Tompkins said. “I want them to be informed by their passion.”