Should I Start a Nonprofit?

by Daniel Wood First off, I have to confess that I’m not a lawyer.  I was the jury foreman once, but don’t think that counts.  So please don’t take my advice and quote me in a court of law.  They would probably laugh anyway.  However, I did start a not-for-profit performing arts corporation in California and have acted as its executive...

A Better Strategy for Your Recordings

“People just don’t buy music (recordings) anymore.  I poured my heart and soul into making this disk, along with a ton of money.  But 2000 CDs (or whatever number) are collecting dust in my basement, and download sales are just as pathetic.  The music business is completely broken!”  Now there’s a bitter cry of despair I’ve heard...

Fan Funding: Financing Recordings & Other Artistic Projects

There are quite a few ways to fund recordings and other artistic projects.  Consider the following options: Record label backing. In today’s world, with major labels quickly going the way of the dinosaurs, don’t count on this option unless you’re really famous and have a huge fan base (and are 14 years old). Grants. ...

Balancing Family with a Career in Music

“Is it possible to successfully raise a family and have a career in music?”  There’s a question that perplexes many aspiring and emerging musicians.  My answer…absolutely. If you truly want these things out of life, unconditionally YES!  Of course, building a great career in music is never easy.  Nor is having a family.  But the best...

Catchy Musician Pseudonyms (to Avoid)

I’m hard at work on my second book (more on that later), and have a few hypothetical characters to name.  Rather than going with the normal Mary P. and Felipe G., I decided it would be fun to use some pseudonyms that reflected musical terms.  What do you think?  Any favorites?  Names to add to the list?       Claire Annette Case Al...

Structuring a Multi-media Concert

by Jeff Nytch As artist-presenters, we must have a clear idea of:       Who our audience is… and       What we want to say to them.   Why are these things so important? Because without a clear understanding of these two things we are not likely to make a meaningful connection with our audience. The hard, cold, truth is that all too...

Guerilla Chamber Music

Submitted by: Ohio State University by Christine Wu with Talia Lindsley, Norman Cardwell, and Chris Lape (mentor: Mark Rudoff) In response to The Savvy Musician Challenge #2  Attracting New Audiences.  Classical and jazz performances often appeal to only a small segment of our population, typically aficionados.  Design a chamber music...

From Lil’ Wayne to Coltrane

Submitted by: University of North Texas by Sam Reid, Jessica Watts, Joshua Tavana, Ramon Muzquiz, Scott Mulvahill, Jonathan Shifflett (mentor: Jason Levi) In response to The Savvy Musician Challenge #2  Attracting New Audiences.  Classical and jazz performances often appeal to only a small segment of our population, typically aficionados. ...

Fire Them Up, Not Burn Them Out: The New Motto for Live Performance Marketing

Submitted by: Manhattan School of Music by +-John-Morgan Bush (mentor: Ar Adler) In response to The Savvy Musician Challenge #2  Attracting New Audiences.  Classical and jazz performances often appeal to only a small segment of our population, typically aficionados.  Design a chamber music experience (4 players or less) that will engage new...

myfestival.com

Submitted by: Arts Enterprise - Bowling Green State University (mentor: Nathaniel Zeisler) In response to The Savvy Musician Challenge #2  Attracting New Audiences.  Design a chamber music experience (4 players or less) that will engage new and untraditional audiences.  Describe your target demographic(s), why they will be interested, the...