Not every music student at FAU is aiming for the same thing when graduation nears but they are all asking themselves the same questions, "Where am I going next? Who will employ me and where?" Graduation brings up many questions regarding the future but one thing is always important to remember; The future is built from the actions of the present. So, as students who are hoping to involve themselves in the world of music in one way or another in the next few years...ask yourself these questions instead:
*What am I doing NOW to prepare for my future?
*Will my degree show everything I have done at the University?
*What sets me apart from my colleagues if we both apply for the same job? If both of us are going to have the same piece of paper with "Your-Name-Here Degree" on it...then who gets the job?
To help you start answering these questions, The Hoot Blog is giving you an inside look at two of the hottest and most important Music Student Organizations happening right here at FAU.
MEISA
1. What is it?
MEISA is the music entertainment industry's national student association that has been around since the 80s, linking students to real world experience and knowledge in the industry.
"The mission of MEISA is to bring music & entertainment business students together with educators and leaders of the music and entertainment industry to successfully and effectively prepare students for future careers and MEISA is parented by the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) to ensure that goal is met." -MEISA National Executive Board 2010 – 2011
2. What's going on?
MEISA's goal is to get students prepared for future careers in the music industry. They do this by acquainting students with current professionals and relaying to students as much industry information, advice, and opportunities as possible. A perfect example of MEISA involvement is its annual spring conference, which FAU students will be going to California to participate in this spring semester. The spring MEISA conference is a showcase of music industry personnel giving students involved in MEISA all the inside professional information and opportunities they will need to succeed.
Last year the conference showcased "...over 30 keynote sessions, round tables, panel discussions and presentations... twelve academic research paper presentations, presented by MEIEA faculty from both the United States and the United Kingdom". Members of the music industry in all professions and genres can be constantly found at the spring conference providing their expertise to student members. Last year, Pharrell Williams, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer, and one of the most successful and prolific entertainers and business entrepreneurs to emerge during the last decade, attended the spring MEISA Conference.
Last year the conference showcased "...over 30 keynote sessions, round tables, panel discussions and presentations... twelve academic research paper presentations, presented by MEIEA faculty from both the United States and the United Kingdom". Members of the music industry in all professions and genres can be constantly found at the spring conference providing their expertise to student members. Last year, Pharrell Williams, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer, and one of the most successful and prolific entertainers and business entrepreneurs to emerge during the last decade, attended the spring MEISA Conference.
3. What's the point?
This isn't your school's chess club...MEISA is a nationally recognized organization that will not only be recognized throughout the country's educational system, but more importantly, by top competitors in the music industry itself. Some of MEISA's sponsors are companies that play huge roles in the industry today, such as giants BMI, SEASAC, and Sound Exchange. Having membership and activity in a organization that not only helps you land a job in the industry, but are also already partners with those employers will give you and your resume its own unique light amongst the thousands of others that it will be in competition against.
GRAMMY U
1. What is it?
Grammy U is to music student organizations what the heart is to humans. Grammy U is the essential organization for the music student who's goal is to be involved in the industry after graduation. It is parented by the Recording Academy itself, the academy that each year is in charge of awarding the most prestigious and respected award in music, The GRAMMY.
"GRAMMY U is a unique and fast-growing community of full-time college students, primarily between the ages of 17 and 25, who are pursuing a career in the recording industry. The Recording Academy created GRAMMY U to help prepare college students for their careers in the music industry through networking, educational programs and performance opportunities. GRAMMY U is designed to enhance students' current academic curriculum with access to recording industry professionals to give an 'out of classroom' perspective on the recording industry."- Grammy U
2. What's going on?
What ISN'T going on at Grammy U? The organization is constantly providing events for its student members. From their famous "Mixers" in which students from their local chapter come to meet with fellow colleagues and industry professionals, to the Grammy U "Sound Checks" where the organization provides students all access backstage passes to music's hottest and most established acts, Grammy U has the connections to take its members on a constant educational journey.
A flier promoting a Grammy U "Mixer" event for the Georgia Chapter, industry giants of the hip hop world including legendary underground producer 9th Wonder provide networking and opportunities exclusively to Grammy U members.
In addition to their important live events, Grammy U has also set up a networking site that is exclusive to Grammy U members called "Grammy 365". This website serves as a private social network where members can create networking opportunities with their fellow students interested in the same music, ideas, and goals as themselves, AS WELL as making connections with industry professionals who are ALSO members of the networking community on Grammy 365.
Grammy U members meet backstage with Jazz-Fusion giant and critically acclaimed pianist and composer, Chick Corea at a Grammy U "Sound Check" event.
3. What's the point?
Grammy U isn't just about getting information and hearing people discuss things at huge events, Grammy U is ALL about getting their members in direct contact with professionals in the industry. Grammy U is about meeting people, face to face, talking, shaking hands, and being in direct contact with either those who might employee you in the future, or those who may be the future of the business themselves. The point of Grammy U is making connections... and these are connections that need to be made now. If we as students plan to wait until we graduate to start preparing for our careers, then we have already began wasting the opportunities that are being given to us. Grammy U is offering students a chance to get acquainted with the future, its up to the students now to seize those opportunities.
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Still have questions on what the Student Music Organizations can do for you? Seeking more real world examples? Comment our blog or join us at:
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Thank you for reading Hoot fans! Catch us next week for the very FIRST FAU-Artist Interview!
