ENTREPRENEURIAL UPBEAT: Vol. 6, No. 5
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
For the next few weeks, Entrepreneurship Wednesdays will be offering a series of meetings on Your Basic Career Toolkit:
10/3: Writing great Bios and Program Notes
Free Pizza!
GIGS is the College of Music’s gig booking service, and an entrepreneurial venture of the ECM. If you’re interested in being part of a database for all manner of gig requests we get here at the College of Music, just fill out the informational form (on the door of the ECM Office) and turn it in to the ECM. Our GIGS Coordinator Nathan Hall will then work to connect you with gigs that come into our Musician Referral Line. For more info, contact Nathan at: musicreferral@Colorado.EDU
Here’s a nice note from a satisfied GIGS customer: Just wanted to thank you for connecting us with Isaac–we had our event this evening and it couldn’t have gone better. The guys were great with our kids and everyone had a wonderful time. So GIGS is not only a great way to earn a few bucks performing, it’s also a fun way to engage with our community!
Help me re-name our weekly career workshops! The new name should be catchy, concise, and get at the core purpose of Entrepreneurship Wednesdays (which is to explore a broad range of topics pertaining to your professional development and provide concrete skills for your career). Submit your suggestions for our weekly series, and the winner will receive a $100 gift card to Target! Deadline: Monday, Oct. 1. Submit to Dr. Nytch via email: jeff.nytch@colorado.edu
Tax Planning & Strategies for parents and students: Sept. 28, 8:30-10:00am, UMC 247
Identity Theft: how to protect yourself: Oct. 10, 1:00-2:30pm, UMC 245
Check Your Credit Report: Oct. 17, Noon-3:00pm, UMC 245
ENTREPRENEURIAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Commoditization vs. Value
Blogger Kevin Case notes the following in the article posted above: The chairman of one major orchestra demanding huge cuts noted the “quite remarkable” number of music-school graduates, characterizing it as “a large supply.” He goes on to point out how much he’s encountered this attitude with orchestral management nation-wide, and how he’s concerned that this is leading to treating musicians just like any other component commodity such as bolts or screws: as long as there are plenty around, the price will remain cheap – and one bolt is just as good as another, right? Get them as cheaply as you can, and if one supplier won’t give you the bolts you need at the price you’re offering, there are plenty of other places to buy bolts at a cheaper price. It is indeed alarming to think that a similar attitude is spreading in the world of professional musicians. And while it’s true that the supply of musicians is indeed quite large – as I remarked last week, there are more professional musicians performing at a higher standard of excellence than at any time in human history – we also know that we possess infinitely more value than some mass-produced cog in a stream of production. The problem is that we haven’t done a very good job communicating our value, despite the large supply. That has created a vacuum of understanding and appreciation for what we have to offer, and that vacuum has been filled by the standard notion of supply and demand that de-values the commodity the greater supply that’s available. In the eyes of some, musicians are becoming widgets.
How do we counter this trend? How do we regain our position in the marketplace as commodities of the highest value? Over the past several weeks I’ve spent a good deal of time contemplating this question, and it’s a big question with many facets to the answer. I’m going to take some time in the next few issues unpacking this issue, and offering some thoughts on how we might approach it as students, educators, advocates, and most of all, as artists. Stay tuned, and feel free to share your own thoughts on this incredibly important question!
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And without further adieu…
The Video of the Week!
Okay I’ve started to get some videos…keep ‘em coming!
A Beethoven flash mob from Spain…
The Entrepreneurship Center for Music • Jeffrey Nytch, DMA, Director
Email: jeff.nytch@colorado.edu • Office Hours: T/Th: 9-11 a.m. W: 2-4 p.m. – or by appointment
Entrepreneurship Wednesdays: 5-6:30 p.m., C-113 • Follow us on
OPPORTUNITY UPBEAT! Sept. 25, 2012
The Opportunity UPBEAT! is your weekly listing of job postings and other professional opportunities that come the way of the ECM. Check this space out for jobs, volunteer opportunities, internships, grants, festival auditions, and more!
THE COLORADO STATE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION is currently seeking a Fund development intern to help develop a tuition assistance scholarship fund for pre-college music study. The goal of the fund, once established, is to partially pay music tuition costs for promising young students who cannot afford music lessons. For a full description of this opportunity, stop by the ECM bulletin board and get in touch with Professor Cremaschi.
A BALLET SCHOOL IN LAFAYETTE is looking for a regular accompanist Monday evenings between 4:30 and 8:30pm for 3-4 hours. There are books of about 40 pages per class, and one class meets per hour. It’s the same music every class, and it’s well-done arrangements of traditional ballet and classical pieces. The pay is on the low end – $20 per hour, so $60-80 per Monday evening – but the program is well run and a great team to be a part of. A good sight reader is a must to learn this music quickly, but on average, it’s the difficulty of an easy Chopin Mazurka. If anyone is interested, please contact me at so I can show you the music. Nathan Smith (205) 335-8626
ERIE MIDDLE SCHOOL in Erie (about 30 minutes east of Boulder, in the St. Vrain Valley School District) is looking to hire a part-time music teacher. It is a half-time position which includes a small orchestra program as well as some possible additional music electives like piano class. The program is definitely in its infancy and needs someone who is willing to work hard to produce a successful middle school program. Those who are interested in applying should visit this website:
Questions? Email Nick Roseth at: roseth_nicholas@svvsd.org.
THE LONGMONT YOUTH SYMPHONY is currently looking for a conductor for their Wind Ensemble. The group has about 20 students, and rehearses weekly in Longmont on Saturdays. See the website below for details and contact information.
Interested applicants should write or call: (303) 351-1452
info@longmontyouthsymphony.org
CENTER FOR THE CONTINUATION OF ARTS AND LTURE, in Thornton, is looking for Guitar and Piano Teachers. The CCAC is an arts school dedicated to the enrichment of students in the visual and performing arts. We provide classes in a wide variety of dance styles, music, and visual arts.
You should have a degree or be in pursuit of a degree in Music Performance or Music Education.
Past teaching experience preferred. Outgoing and friendly personality along with consistent professional demeanor. Works well with elementary ages through adults. Someone who is knowledgeable and skilled in more than one instrument area is preferred. Especially knowledgeable and confidant in teaching basic/beginning piano skills in a group and private setting. Knowledge in music theory and aural skills.
You should be dependable and have reliable transportation.
Looking for someone who can teach 5-15 hours a week
Please contact Director of Music Nick Garcia-(720)-341-4975 for further information
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE! The ECM offers a broad range of internship opportunities for students, ranging from positions with non-profit arts groups to for-profit businesses. Internships can be for academic credit or not, and can often be customized to suit your schedule and interests. If you’re interested, stop by the ECM office and we’ll talk about the options!