WEEKEND SEMINAR FOR YOUNG BANDS

THE RESOURCE CENTRE on Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10 plays host to a specially organised seminar on "Introducing The Music Business" over the coming weekend, 12th and 13th March, geared primarly but not exclusively, for young bands interested in a music career.

The weekend is organised by The Senior College, Ballyfermot under the Techne Venture banner, with grant aid from Euroform and should be of equal interest to songwriters, solo musicians and band members who need to have a working knowledge of how the music industry works.

It is now universally accepted that talent alone is no longer sufficient to ensure a long-term career in what has become a highly competitive industry both in Ireland and abroad. Musicians are finally waking up to the fact that a basic working knowledge of the industry is crucial for anyone planning to make it their main source of revenue and a seminar like this offers a valuable opportunity to pick up some practical tips from successful practitioners already operating in the business.

Unfortunately, too many young bands still seem besotted with the out-dated romantic notion that all you have to do is to hang around the right places until you are "discovered" by some industry mogul who will promply make you a star and rich and famous to boot. Initiatives such as "Introducing The Music Business" are aimed at giving delegates a picture of how the business works in reality and offering advice and guidelines as to how the individual might best deal with the most problematic areas.

"Introducing The Music Business" will comprise five practical workshops spread over the two days. Among the titles and topics which will form the basis of the presentations are: The Music Business Big Picture, Introducing The Performing Rights Society, The Dos and Don'ts of Making Demos, Negotiating Skills, How Long Can You Survive Without A Manager? and Music Business Confidential.

The last-named item refers to a unique feature of the seminar in that participants will be able to put their questions and concerns privately and in total confidence to experts drawn from the music industry during the final session on Sunday.

Entry to the seminar for the entire weekend costs £10, but interested parties should note that places are limited and the earlier you book the better. Further information regarding the availability of places can be had from Maureen Conway at 01-6234311.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Saturday 12th March, 1994. 10.00am – 11.15am.

The Music Business Big Picture.

Workshop Leader: Keith Donald, MusicBase.

Between the writing of a song and its appearance in the Charts is a complex process we know as the music business. This workshop will illustrate the different parts of the music business and how they all inter-relate.

Saturday 12th March, 1994. 11.45am – 1.00pm.

The Performing Rights Society.

Workshop Leader: Paula McDermott, Membership Officer IMRO/PRS.

The Performing Rights Society has 750,000 members world-wide who are all songwriters and/or music publishers. This workshop will explain the importance of IMRO/PRS to songwriters and the benefits of membership. The concepts of intellectual property and music copyright will be explained. A must for all songwriters!

Saturday 12th March, 1994. 12.00pm – 5.00pm.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Making Demo Tapes.

Workshop Leaders: Larry O’Toole, Sound Training Centre; Pat Dunne, Sun Studios.

Making good demo tapes is a fundamental activity for all musicians and songwriters, regardless of whether they play rock’n’roll or dance music. This workshop will offer practical advice to rockers and ravers on how to make the best quality demos for the cheapest price. Common pitfalls will be highlighted and options for studios and equipment will be discussed. The differences and similarities between rock music demos and dance music demos will be examined. Pat and Larry will listen and give you feedback on your demo tapes.

Sunday 13th March, 1994. 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Negotiating Skills.

Workshop Leader: Michael Comyn, Comyn Communications.

The music business is a “people business” and in order to survive you have to learn to be a good negotiator. Whether you are negotiating a rate for a studio session or a fee for a gig, successful negotiation depends on your ability to know what you need and how you measure the success of the outcome.

This workshop will discuss different types of negotiations, buying or selling, informal negotiation and influencing skills, listening and asserting your side of the deal.

Sunday 13th March, 1994. 2.00pm – 3.15pm.

How Long Can You Survive Without A Manager?

Workshop Leader: Kieran Owens, Kieran Owens Management.

In the real world there are more artists and bands than artist managers. Yet in the real world, good management can make the critical difference to an artist/band’s chances of establishing a long term career.

This workshop will discuss key questions on artist management from the artist/band point of view. How important is internal band organisation in the early days before management? How do you go about finding good management? Does it really make any difference as to when you find a manager? How can you pay a management commission when you’re not generating any income?

Sunday 13th March, 1994. 13.30pm – 5.00pm.

Music Business Confidential.

Workshop Leader: Various.

Each and every artist has specific queries and questions about their own particular career path into the music business which are best addressed on a one-to-one basis.

This workshop will provide a unique opportunity for artists and bands to have their individual questions on music and music business related issues answered in private by experienced music professionals.