Words by Pat Carroll

While the Sydney Conservatorium of Music might mostly be known for the education in the Avant Garde art music areas, over the next couple of months the Con will be running a free seminar series hosted by Jake Stone (Bluejuice) on ‘the music and industry of today that presents a promising career for musicians and passionate music professionals.’

Each seminar will focus on a specific aspect of the music industry, discussing music composition, production, release and promotion strategies. Professionals of the industry will be sharing their wisdom on ways to successfully create music and let it reach your desired audience. The Con’s new Bachelor of Music degree will be discussed, looking at how the course has been designed with the mechanics of the modern music industry in mind.

“The degree is ideal for the digital musician who might compose straight onto a laptop, the creative composer who wants to write music for games and film, the performer who loves improvising, or the student who is in the best rock band at high school.”

Some of the guests include: Luke Dubber (Hermitude), Tim Commandeur (Operator Please, Pnau, Tkay Maidza, Commandeur), and Veronica & Lewis (Triple J).

So if you’re keen to learn a bunch about how the industry works, and the best way to get your music into the world, definitely hit these freebies up!

Check out the dates and speakers:

Open Day 26 August (1pm-3pm) – The Big Leap
How does a classically-trained musician make an impact playing in the pop and alternative radio world? A panel of experienced session musicians and bandleaders
will explain.

– Jenny McCallagh (I Know Leopard)
– Dave Symes (Boy & Bear)
– Sarah Belkner (Ngaiire, Sarah Blasko, Olympia)
– Luke Dubber (Hermitude)

8 September (6-8pm) – Computer Love
Do you like using software and digital hardware to create out-of- this-world music and sounds, but don’t know how to find a professional outlet for your talent? A panel of artists will immerse you in the digital world – from television and film score, to performance art, festival-stage hip hop, and the dark and sweaty world of nightclub culture.

– Kevin Pon Cho (Thundamentals)
– Boris Baghattini/Victoria Hunt/James Brown – Tangi Wai
– Richard Pike (PVT)
– Tim Commandeur (Operator Please, Pnau, Tkay Maidza, Commandeur)

27 October (6pm-8pm) – Building A Team
Featuring a panel of representatives from the cream of Australian management, booking, online media and radio talent, find out the key ingredients to a musician’s success. Learn industry secrets that will put you ahead of the pack.

– Veronica & Lewis (Triple J)
– Todd Wagstaff (Parker & Mr French)
– Alistair Green (MAKER Agency)
– Lucy Smith (FBi Radio)
– Katie Rynne (Select Music)
– Larry Heath (The AU Review)
– Radi Safi (Hhhhappy.com)

More info over at the USYD website.