A one-day conference dedicated to providing artists with the tools necessary to be successful in the music industry is happening March 25, 2020, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The inaugural MUSE Conference will be presented by UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. It is for seasoned, new and aspiring musicians. Conference attendees will hear firsthand from and participate in discussions led by music industry professionals. There will be local, musician-centric vendors as well as food trucks on-site.
The conference is free but, space is limited. Registration is open now for individual sessions. Register online. More information on presenters is also available online.
Each session is approximately 50 minutes. The sessions will include:
Happy, Healthy and Injury-Free Musicians, 10 a.m.
The health and well-being of musicians crosses all disciplines, performing and nonperforming. Educating musicians on this crucial information will positively affect the well-being of countless future musicians in an effort not only to address the growing numbers of injuries but also to provide strategies for maintaining psychological health. Presenter: Professor Joseph Sherrill, M.D., UAB Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery.
Owning It: Becoming a Music Business Entrepreneur, 11 a.m.
There are many ways to enter the music industry besides being a performer or musician. This clinic will examine ways to start a business in the industry and how to approach the traditional roles of bandleader, producer, manager, sideman, etc. from the perspective of an entrepreneur. Presenters: Eric Essix, jazz musician and ASC director of Programming; University Professor Henry Panion III, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music; and Associate Professor of Business Doug Ayers, Ph.D., UAB Collat School of Business.
Navigating the Obstacles: Exploring Today’s Music Industry, 12 p.m.
A look at the state of today’s music industry model and identify ways to make it work for you.
Presenter: Ricky Shultz. Lunch and learn session.
Life on the Road: Making it as a Touring Musician, 1 p.m.
A moderated panel discussion and demonstration on how to enter and maintain a career as a sideman in the music industry. Presenters: Wes Byrd, John Roberts, Sean Michael Ray.
Planning for the Future: Wealth and Money Management Strategies for Artists, 2 p.m.
Managing your finances and planning for the future as a self-employed artist. Presenter: Greg Powell, owner, FiPlan Partners.
1:1 with Meshell Ndegeocello, 3 p.m.
A moderated discussion with Ndegeocello as she shares her thoughts on being a producer, performing artist and music industry trailblazer. Ndegeocello will perform from her latest album, “Ventriloquism,” beginning at 7 p.m. following the conference. Tickets may be purchased online.
Market Your Music: Build Your Brand Using Social Media, 4 p.m.
The music industry is immensely competitive, and good marketing is essential for anyone looking to turn their art into a successful career. This panel discussion with industry and marketing pros will attempt to provide some essential and effective techniques for building a brand and marketing music using social media and the internet. Artist/presenters: Alex Krallman, Ph.D., Yufei Zhang, Ph.D., UAB School of Business.
In the Studio: Exploring the Art and Business of Music Production, 5 p.m.
A panel discussion on the challenges and rewards of being an independent music producer/creator. Artist/presenters: Kelvin Wooten, Phil Davis.
About UAB
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center, as well as Alabama’s largest employer, with some 23,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $7 billion on the state. The five pillars of UAB’s mission include education, research, patient care, community service and economic development. UAB is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Center for Translational Science Award. Learn more at www.uab.edu. UAB: Powered by will.
