Benom Plumb is the new program director for Music Industry Studies and Music Management at Pacific
The Conservatory of Music is pleased to announce that Benom Plumb has accepted the position of program director for Music Industry Studies and Music Management at Pacific. Professor Plumb will carry the torch passed on by retiring Professor Keith Hatschek.
"It has always been a dream job of mine to lead a music business program, especially in California,” commented Plumb. “I had been aware of Pacific's exceptional reputation, and particularly, of Keith Hatschek's work and respect in our field. It is an honor and privilege to join the Conservatory and to partner with Keith in the ongoing success of Music Management and Music Industry Studies. It's also important to note that my inner child always wanted to be Indiana Jones ... and when I saw Faye Spanos Concert Hall, I knew I was home!"
Under Hatschek’s leadership, the programs grew from 10 students in 2015 to 64 in 2020, a 640% increase in just five years. Hatschek, who will remain with the Conservatory in an half-time capacity in 2020-21, is eager to collaborate with his new colleague.
“Benom’s successful track record of mentoring students who have gone on to establish themselves in music business careers bodes well for our program’s continued success,” said Hatschek. “His expertise in the music licensing and publishing are all the more important today in the era of music and media streaming.”
Educator, songwriter, producer and artist, Benom Plumb comes to Pacific from the University of Colorado, Denver, where he served as clinical assistant professor of Music Industry Studies teaching Music Publishing as well as Introduction to Music Business, and Music Business Finance and Royalties. His articles have been published in the Denver based Royalty Exchange and in Yeshiva University’s Cardozo Arts and Entertainment Law Journal. Plumb earned his Bachelor of Music at the University of Texas, Arlington, and his Master of Music Industry degree at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.
Great-nephew to the acclaimed A&R man, composer, arranger and conductor Neely Plumb, Professor Benom Plumb has been a music industry professional since 2006 when he worked as an independent licensing consultant and professional drummer. From 2007 through 2012, Plumb served as vice president of licensing at Bluewater Music in Nashville, TN, where he coordinated television/film licensing efforts, signing new talent, pitching songs, finding publishing royalties, negotiating various business deals, and representing the company throughout the world at industry events.
To top it off, Plumb is also a performing musician. Aptly named Professor Plumb, his rock band was formed in 2017. Their debut album The Majic Twelve is a collection of twelve original rock compositions written and produced by Plumb, who is a multi-instrumentalist on nearly every track. The band selectively performs live around the Denver area and prefers their shows to be connected with championing a good cause. For example, Plumb organized and performed a hurricane benefit show for the Grammy Foundation charity, MusiCares.
In April of 2020, Plumb debuted his solo electronic music project The Jolly Backbeat which combines various electronic and live instrumentations with pop/electronica-influenced vocal and lyrical themes. A music video for one of the songs was produced by Plumb entirely at home during the March 2020 COVID-19 quarantine.
“We searched far and wide for a leader who could work in concert with Keith and our faculty colleagues, and one name kept coming up: Professor Plumb,” commented Conservatory Dean Peter Witte. “It is clear to us that Benom has the skills, the knowhow, and especially the heart, to helps us build a future worthy of our students’ aspirations. We’re over the moon that Professor Plumb is a Pacifican.”