Christmas came early for music industry majors during the Oct 1. Music Industry Forum.
George Flanigen IV, an internationally acclaimed music video producer and the chair of the Board of Trustees for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, came and donated 40 scholarships for one-year membership into the “GrammyU” program run by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Through the “GrammyU” program, full-time college students have the opportunity to work with professionals in the music industry, creating networking connections while participating in performance and educational programs.
When Flanigen came to speak at the music industry forum, he gave students advice about how to be successful in the music industry world.
“There is this myth that there is a wall, and on the other side of the wall there are people trying to keep you out. That’s not the case,” said Flanigen during the forum. “There are people on the other side of the wall looking for talent. If you have the talent and connections, you can be successful in the music industry.”
Flanigen’s donation has given Loyola students a great opportunity to connect with people within the music industry world. But Loyola is still figuring out how to distribute the scholarships.
Brian Mooney, music industry sophomore and Loyola’s “GrammyU” representative, said that initially the music industry program sent out emails explaining the process of how students could apply with the deadline being Oct. 15.
However, the deadline was extended until Friday, Nov. 2, because they want more people to apply, Mooney said.
“We have 40 slots,” music industry professor John Snyder said. “If we get 40 kids, we’ll get more attention from the national office, we’ll get more done in the city and more clinics and events that could benefit many more people than the 40 kids in it.”
The scholarships have been making a buzz around the music industry program.
Music industry freshman Parker Mulherin said he was “certainly considering the program.”
Mulherin said he thinks membership could bring him closer to more music industry professionals than the conventional curriculum.
The music industry department has been encouraging students to apply for the scholarships and to take advantage of this opportunity.
Mooney said the one requirement to apply is for students to show that they have an interest in participating in the program.
Reid Wyck will be the one to decide who receives the scholarships, Mooney said. “If we have under 40 students apply, all applicants will receive a scholarship.”
Students who apply should know by the end of next week if they received the scholarships, Mooney said.
“We’re happy that the students are taking interest in it,” Snyder said. “It’s a professional organization, and we want them to be members in professional organizations.”
Sam Thomas can be reached at [email protected]
