Author: Robert Creenan
Music is Art has announced it will be starting a new music program. Open to everyone, this series will educate the attendees on various aspects of the music industry. Topics include artistic identity, online presence, marking, copyrights, studio basics, contracts, recording, and releasing music.
The first session will be taught my Music is Art (MiA) founder and Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac. It will take place on Wednesday, February 24, with classes continuing on Wednesdays. Various industry professionals will teach classes moving forward.
This Music Industry Academy Workshop series is an important step towards getting music enthusiasts onboard with the intricacies of the music industry. Music is Art has always been an advocate for Buffalo’s aspiring talents, in ways that vary from the music basics to developing young minds further along as they mature in the entertainment and production fields.
Following is an interview with Tracy Shattuck, Music is Art’s Executive Director:
What do you hope people will get out of this music business program?
The Music Industry Academy Workshop Series has two focuses. First, to educate participants on the music industry in a way that will give them an edge both personally and professionally as they navigate their way in the local music scene. And second, to enlighten them on the multitude of careers available to them in the industry.
Who came up with program and why?
The idea for this program has been something we’ve been working on for some time now. This workshop series is only the first step. We are starting it now because there are students out there that are thirsting for the information and are dedicated to learning more about the music industry. There are some very talented high school students out there who are finding their way, and learning as they go, but we want to be able to help them be successful.
What other programs do you offer?
Music is Art runs several programs for students in WNY. We host an annual Battle of the High School Bands, that is currently accepting submissions, from any genre, for our May 2016 event. Our new Rock4Ryan Concert Program that gives students the opportunity to attend a live show and many times experience the set up and sound check prior to the concert itself. Our annual Youth Jazz Festival which gives high school ensembles a unique experience to learn from local professionals, record at a studio, and tour Buffalo’s own Colored Musicians Club. And our instrument program that I’m proud has put a half million dollar’s worth of instruments back into the hands of our youth here in Western New York. Information on those and everything else MiA is available on our website at www.musicisart.org/youth.
Who will be teaching this outside of Robby Takac?
Each workshop in our Academy series will feature a different topic, host, and speakers. Things like artistic identity, online presence, marketing and promotion, to contracts, copyrights, recording, and releasing music. And later in the year we’ll focus on careers in the industry that aren’t necessarily for the musicians themselves; writing, audio engineering, artist management, tour coordination, and even symphony careers, instrument repair and video games. Anyone interested in the music industry can find a place in it and it’s our goal to help them discover what that place is.
The workshops will be held at the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology, on 1221 Main Street in Buffalo.
Workshops are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Click here to visit the MiA website for further details.