PAVI – Music Business Done Right!

A review of the Pacific Audio Visual Institute (PAVI) - Film & Music Business program.
By Des H. who graduated in 2007. 397 views.

I have always loved music. From a very young age, I was intrigued by shredding guitar solos, heavy drum beats and angry vocals. I started collecting band video’s. From then on, after watching what it meant to be a part of a band, I dreamed of being a part of the industry in any form. Coming from a small town, with virtually no music scene (my listening experience had been limited to the likes of Metallica, Pantera and Slayer).

I had started college in graphic design, my second choice. Within six months of attending classes for design, I had found a school online called PAVI. I was excited to discover a school actually existed on Music Business or “Roadie school” as I used to call it. Right away, I applied. I was accepted and excited to move into the city in the year 2006, to begin my journey into music industry.

I found that it covered everything one needs to know in order to pursue a career in the industry.

The Program

The program “Film and Music Business” was overall very good. I found that it covered everything one needs to know in order to pursue a career in the industry. Important aspects such as history of popular entertainment, legal contracts, marketing, independent record labels, artist development and management, record production and event (concert) planning was discussed.

The one year diploma program is offered with three start dates: January, May and September. The semesters are divided into four classes per semester, with four hours a day, five days a week. With flexible scheduling to attend morning, afternoons or nights. The school admin even has an internship placement program.

The Pros

I found that PAVI had great staff, industry professionals that were very knowledgeable, and offered great advice. Dave Chesney was fantastic. He really wanted to see his students involved and encouraged them whenever he had the chance. Along with the instructors, some excellent guest speakers were brought in from SOCAN – Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada and also the managing director of tour management and production services – Andy Piller. The classes were also small, which was great and hands-on industry based projects were a plus to the program. The school environment was inspirational and great for making contacts.

The Cons

The same can be said with any other schooling. At times I felt frustrated that the instructors were sometimes not prepared to teach a class or didn’t have answers. Even though as stated “FILM and MUSIC business,” the course was 50/50, which seemed like it wasn’t useful if you wanted to focus only on music or vice versa. Some of the textbooks that were supplied with the tuition, went unused or notes were taken directly from them. So what was the point?

The Verdict

Would I recommend this program? No, not if you’re just graduating highschool and half serious about your future, but if you are in your mid-twenties, have desire and strong determination, than yes! Like I had mentioned, you get what you put into it.

It has a strong base to launch you in the right direction.

If you’re prepared to get involved in networking, learning the ins and outs and applying yourself, than go for it. It has a strong base to launch you in the right direction. I was able to take advantage of the internship placement program working at a record label, that helped me run my own promotions/gig booking and management. Advice for anyone interested: be prepared to work hard and get those business cards ready to hand out! Expect to hear “no,” but with perseverance and experience, you can really go far with what you take from PAVI.