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March 15.
That’s the deadline for something new and different: the Savvy Musician in ACTION Chamber Music Competition.
It’s different because, as its website says, it’s for “ensembles that feature artistic excellence and innovative event design.” Or, to put it another way, entrepreneurial ensembles, entrepreneurial both in art and in how they do business.
And it’s different, too, because it’s joined at the hip with the Savvy Musician in Action arts entrepreneurship summer workshop, which happens from June 3 to June 7 at the University of South Carolina School of Music. And which, from everything I hear — and I’m hearing a lot, because I’m going to be involved — may well be as intense, inspiring, and useful as anything you ever do.
Here’s the deal, in quick outline. The workshop brings together musicians, in all genres, at all stages of their careers — from students to established pros. Plus artists in other fields. Plus teachers, arts administrators. Whoever can benefit!
And while you’re there, you don’t just listen to presentations. You don’t just learn theory. You do what you talk about. You learn by doing. You work in teams. You compete. You develop projects, pitch them, and sharpen the ways you present them. Ending with (to quote the website again) “the Arts Venture Challenge, a Shark Tank-like competition where teams pitch arts-business concepts to judges for feedback and awards.”
People who’ve done this say they were pushed to the edge from day one. That it was exhausting! And that it was the best thing they’ve ever done. Watch this video for more. I’ll be involved as one of nine faculty mentors/instigators, pushing everyone toward something new. David Cutler — who runs the entrepreneurship program at the South Carolina School of Music — created this and runs it. And for anyone who knows him, knows how smart he is, knows his terrific book on music entrepreneurship, knows the blast of energy and optimism he brings to everything he does…well, that should be enough to sell you on the workshop.
And as for the competition…
Here’s the website once more. The deadline, again, is March 15. Four finalists will go to the Savvy Musician workshop, with all tuition paid with tuition and some fine Southern food heavily discounted. [Sorry to have gotten this wrong. Communication glitch!] Finalists will have to pay for their own lodging, but deals may well be available, and anyway it’s normal to pay your own expenses when you go to a competition. The finalists will also get a performance in Columbia, SC, participation in a special professional development workshop, and — just possibly — a performance at a Savvy Musician showcase at the 2016 Chamber Music America conference.
And the winning ensemble? They’ll get
- a trial year with an innovative arts manager, with an option to continue
- a paid residency at the U of South Carolina
- a free one-year Chamber Music America membership
- and a guaranteed performance at the Savvy Musician showcase at CMA in 2016
I’ll likely be involved in judging the competition, but that’s the least of it. It’s something different, something special. And it could do lots for you. The website, again: It’s here. Why not enter the competition right now?