Conference Helps Turn Musicians Into Entrepreneurs
Addresses Urgent Need for Alternative Career Tracks in Music
BREVARD, N.C., May 10, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- With a career in music being second in competitiveness only to professional sports, Brevard Music Center, one of the nation's leading music training programs, announced the establishment of the first conference to help turn musicians into entrepreneurs. The Brevard Conference on Music Entrepreneurship (BCOME.org) will be held July 14-16, 2006, at the Brevard Music Center in Western North Carolina. Extraordinary musicians, politicians and other luminaries have expressed their support for the conference, which will help musicians of any level and discipline learn how to become entrepreneurs.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said of the Brevard Conference, "It promises to be an important conference addressing entrepreneurship in music," while Derek Bok, acting president of Harvard, remarked, "The topic you propose is an intriguing challenge."
"We are pleased to host the Brevard Conference on Music Entrepreneurship," said Brevard Music Center President John Candler. "Each summer, the Brevard Music Center nurtures the talent of 400 of America's most promising young musicians. Many of our students go on to establish professional careers, yet the realities of finding a job in the current market are limited. In addition to training young musicians to be excellent performers, Brevard Music Center is also interested in providing them with further career skills to ensure a successful future."
BCOME explores career tracks beyond the traditional job pathways. Thought provoking and innovative, the three-day conference offers workshops, lectures and instruction on how to envision and establish one's own career as a music entrepreneur, with unique tracks specifically tailored for performers, college faculty and industry professionals. "The conference will provide performers with the tools they need to help earn a living doing what they love -- whether it be establishing their own ensemble, organization or program," said BCOME Executive Director Michael Drapkin.
Other comments include, "Best of luck with the event," from Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group of Companies; "Best wishes on a successful conference," from Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve; and "Much success on the event," from Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
BE NOTEWORTHY
BCOME is open to anyone interested in learning how to forge their own career path in music, bring entrepreneurship to their organization, or to teach music entrepreneurship. Guest speakers include some of the country's finest musicians, teachers and entrepreneurs. Conference members will learn how to market themselves, and the conference will address such topics as the ins and outs of networking, market research, use of electronic media for self-promotion, business plan writing, funding partners, business legalities and models of entrepreneurship. In addition, the conference will help participants be more creative through self-discovery and shaped note singing exercises, round-table discussions and a traditional square dance. They will have access to the Brevard Music Center's picturesque 140-acre campus, as well as tickets to a variety of performances.
The conference is funded by a grant from The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Registration is open to 75 participants, and the fee is $300. Scholarships are also available. For more information, including a complete schedule, visit online at bcome.org.
BCOME SPONSORS
In addition to the individuals mentioned, the 2006 Brevard Conference on Music Entrepreneurship has received generous support from the following major and national organizations: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, The Brevard Music Center, The College Music Society, the American Federation of Musicians, the Music Entertainment Industry Educators Association, The Executive Council of New York and Yamaha. BCOME also gives additional thanks to Chamber Music America.