Taking a trip to the Big Apple might not be labeled an educational experience by many people.
Loyola music students, faculty and alumni, however, found the Music
and Entertainment Industry Students Association trip to Manhattan not only fun, but also essential to their future in the music industry.
Students, faculty, and alumni from the Loyola chapter of MEISA attended the national MEISA and Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association conference in New York City.
The conference was held to discuss the future of the music industry as well as to take in the bustling can-do atmosphere of the industry’s East coast epicenter.
The two-day conference began at the Supper Club in Manhattan with panelists and speakers from various segments of the industry.
A major highlight of the day included a keynote address by former Columbia Records president and author Walter Yetnikov.
Famous for his outrageous personality, Yetnikov gave a rousing account of his exploits as a major label president and recovering drug addict.
He then discussed the major recording labels’ current trepidation toward responding positively to the market and complaining about the labels.
The second day’s events were held at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., and separated educators and students as they attended panel discussions focusing on each group’s interests.
Educators discussed updating curriculum for what Sanford Hinderlie, associate professor of music, described as “a real change in the music industry.”
The student portion of Saturday’s events was based on starting a career in the music industry.
Sarah Pelch, M’01, an Artist Services associate with the IMG artist management firm, joined other young music business professionals in a panel geared toward showing the importance of networking among students looking to break into the business.
Four Loyola students on the national MEISA board, led by national MEISA president and graduating performance senior Nora Brady, were on hand at the conference to present the organization’s new business plan and promotional materials.
In elections for national officers, Yuri Kwon, music business junior, became the national organization’s Director of Public Relations.
MEIEA Executive Assistant Oksana Hrycaj, M’03, also received praise from MEIEA and MEISA officials for her tireless efforts in ensuring that the conference was a success.
For Loyola students who made the long trek to the Big Apple, both the city and the conference were valuable learning experiences.
“After the conference, I felt better informed about where the music industry is headed,” James Martin, music business sophomore, said.
Martin expressed an affinity for New York’s fast-paced, “get things done” atmosphere, saying that the city “has a great vibe. It would be an awesome place to start a career.”
Chapter president David Hamilton, music business senior, voiced his disappointment in the panelists’ lack of emphasis on entrepreneurship, a cornerstone of Loyola’s music business program’s curriculum.
“I was interested in what they had to say, but I didn’t feel that it applied to me or our people. None of us are really interested in working for large corporations.” Hamilton said.
Music business sophomore Emily Cox cited the camaraderie building among music business students as one of the conference’s major benefits.
According to Cox, the trip “brought us [Loyola students] together and showed that we’re really ahead of the game.”
For more on the MEISA conference, Loyola’s MEISA Chapter, and other music industry news, check out the upcoming MEISA Music Journal or the chapter’s website, www.loyno.edu/~mbclub.
~Alex Garcia can be reached at [email protected].
