Wondering how to promote yourself as a new or emerging musical artist? Come spend the day with some of the region’s premier musicians, marketing professionals, and booking agents. Professional Workshop for Musicians will be held on Saturday, March 16th from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heartwood In Abingdon. This intensive learning experience allows participants to ask advice from the pros about how to present themselves (or their band) in a way that gains both recognition and bookings. There is no cost for attending the workshop, but space is limited, so musicians are encouraged to submit their applications quickly.
Professional Development Workshop for Musicians will serve 24 musicians from Southwest Virginia (*), ages 12 and older, who are in the beginning to intermediate stages of their careers. The goals of this workshop are to heighten awareness of the importance of professionalism in self-representation for musicians, and to help participants develop skills that will benefit their careers as musicians.
The workshop was conceived by TCR’s Education Committee in response to a specific need in our community: the need to improve the quality of artist bios, web presence, stage presence, and communication skills for artists who are representing themselves and who are trying to make a career in the music industry. Workshop topics include: Becoming a Professional Musician, Being Your Own Booking Agent, Writing an Effective Bio, Captivating an Audience, and Internet Marketing. Presenters will include: Sammy Shelor (Lonesome River Band); Richard Rose (Barter Theatre); Josh Trivette (Moonstruck Management); Katie Hoffman (Appalworks); and Kris Truelsen (Bill & the Belles).
To apply, musicians must submit an essay of 200 words or less outlining their personal experience and telling why they would like to participate. Please include the workshop title; your name; age; school (if applicable); mailing address; email address; and telephone number at the top of the essay.
You can send them by email to admin@thecrookedroad.org, or mail to: The Crooked Road, One Heartwood Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210. Applications will be reviewed by members of TCR’s Education Committee and participants will be selected based on application merit as well as musical experience and enthusiasm. Review of applications will continue until spaces are filled. Applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of their application as soon as the committee reviews their essay.
For questions or for more information, please contact Jonathan Romeo, The Crooked Road’s Program Manager, at (276) 698-4999 or jromeo@thecrookedroad.org.
(*) Southwest Virginia includes the counties (and associated towns) of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe; and the Cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton and Radford.
