|
|
|
|
|
|
Client testimonials
This month's lead story
BPI Event 14/11/07
“Back Stage Pass and Make Your Mark”
..My personal experience..
The 14th of November 2007 was a great day for me. With thanks to Armstrong Learning, I attended the London BPI 'Back Stage Pass' Event (http://www.bpi.co.uk/index.asp) at County Hall, as part of London Enterprise Week.
It took a while to find. I ended up using the internet in the Florence Nightingale Museum to get directions.
By the time I arrived (only late enough to have missed the buffet, nothing too important!) my feet were ruined due to my brisk walking in my high heels.. I wanted to dress to impress though.
At 'Back Stage Pass' over 40 leading music industry professionals, including record label executives, publishers, producers, composers and journalists met with 40 specially selected young music entrepreneurs drawn from around Britain. It provided an unrivalled opportunity for those with career aspirations for the music business to find out more about how the industry works, the diversity of jobs and roles, and how to go about joining it.
Speeches were made by some professionals in the industry, explaining how the couple of hours would operate, with colour coded areas in the room, directing people to different relevant sections to the industry, e.g. Artist Management, Publishing, Education and PRS/PPL.
With business cards for both The Matthew Bennett Band (www.myspace.com/thematthewbennettband) and myself as a session musician at the ready, demo CD’s and my name tag at the ready, I began to circle the room, looking for people not already engaged in conversation.
It was pretty much a free-for-all, you had to find the people you wanted to talk to by scouring their name tags, and swoop in for a quick chat before someone else beat you to it! If you got stuck or looked like you were a bit lonely, the BPI employees would come and ask you what you were here for and who you were hoping to speak to, and then introduce you to the relevant people – very appreciated!
I spoke with A&R from Sony, EMI and Polydor, as well as the Leeds College Of Music group, Caroline Hilton from EMI Artist Relations, and many more. I was given advice on how to promote The Matthew Bennett Band effectively, email addresses of useful promoters to get the band good gigs, told a number of digital distribution sites that are specifically geared towards folk music, and pretty much had lovely chats with everyone there. I learnt that it’s really important to give off the right image and persona to people at networking events, and to just go for it and don’t hold back! Confidence is a major issue, but it mustn’t get mixed up with arrogance.
A lot of the professionals I spoke to brought up the fact that they don’t appreciate just being handed demo’s.
I wanted to learn about their jobs and how they work on a day to day basis, not just use their job title to my advantage and hope that they offer me millions of pounds having accepted a demo CD.
Being approachable and good to talk to paid off as a lot of people asked for my business cards, and said they would check out the band on Myspace, just because they enjoyed chatting with me.
Facebook was brought up when speaking to A&R employees, as it seems to be over-taking Myspace these days. As a result I have been working hard on creating a number of Facebook groups, band profiles and other pages in an attempt to further promote The Matthew Bennett Band.
The most inspiring and interesting person I met on the day was a young man who is involved with Armstrongs down south, in Slough (I imagine), Matthew Kirton (www.myspace.com/frenchkissmusic). He had been signed in the past and also had experience of being a session musician. He told me about his experience and also his mistakes in the past, which I found really interesting. He is currently setting up a back catalogue of music for TV and film productions, which hopefully I can get involved with too. If I hadn’t dropped my name tag we would never have swapped cards.
It was a great opportunity and to anyone on the Armstrongs course, I would really recommend to embrace all that they offer.
Lesley-Marie Turner (26/11/07)
www.myspace.com/lesleysworld
www.lesleyturner.co.uk
More client testimonials
Vinnie Marsden
In the short time I have been with Armstrong Learning I already feel I have probably cut at least 12 months off the time it was going to take me to get to where I am heading in music. The course provided here is frankly brilliant, the spectrum of information available is incredibly wide and varied with enough depth to gain the foundations of a true understanding in each field. The tutors and staff are excellent, they are very approachable and knowledgeable with the resources at hand to actually help people along their path in the music industry. I would highly recommend Armstrong Learning to anyone seeking a career in the music industry.
Michael - (Conductor)
Armstrong Learning has provided me with many significant ideas and strategies to plan for the future and achieve personal objectives and career goals. I have found the staff highly professional and understanding, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to pass on to their clients. They were friendly, positive and proactive in guidance and suggestions, with advice tailored to individuals’ needs. The workbooks and projects demand close study and application. The MIP course has broadened my knowledge and awareness of areas I had little knowledge about.
Luke - (Guitarist & Singer)
The staff at Armstrong Learning had a lot of time for me. I was pleased to be tutored by experienced musicians and genuine industry workers. I now have a much clearer idea of what I need to do to get where I want to be in the music industry. While on provision I re-worked my CV and I now have a part time job in Music Zone. The staff have introduced me to some important contacts and have gone out of their way to pass my music on to others. The work books are great, the staff know what they are talking about and I am now a lot more confident in my knowledge about the music industry.
Maren - (Folk Musician)
The Armstrong team were very supportive, encouraging me to promote my work with the ‘Babylon Arabic Band’ and giving me advice on my promotion package and funding future projects. The music industry event at Colston Hall in Bristol was really interesting and useful. It was great to be able to connect to the representatives from the music industry directly. Overall I value the support I have received during the last three months, especially in helping me to set up a Myspace site and joining the musicians union.
Louise Vose
I wouldn’t do anything different…the levels of support have been great…I have really enjoyed the course…developed more self confidence to achieve my goals…made lots of contacts…and I have gained a lot of knowledge about the music industry.
Michael McKeown
I have learnt a great deal…confidence up…returning to live playing (currently rehearsing)…time with tutors has been very enlightening…information provided from Armstrong has been extremely useful…I do recommend it to anyone I feel it would be useful to. Many thanks for giving me this opportunity.
David Bowmer
Composing music for dance companies and film soundtracks as well as performing regularly with his band Restless Blue
The quality of the mentors and their experience was great. Everything they suggested was useful. Just trust them and things work out
Ben Cleverly
Producer and Artist currently working on a number of musical projects.
I learned a lot thanks to Armstrong, the tutors were great and helped put me on the right path
Courtney Dennie
Currently working on recording an album.
The course helped me to help myself
Michael Lozynsky
Playing Regular gigs
As the course progressed you could see a realistic outcome. The face to face contact was the best thing about it
Paul Marshall
Currently making a living as a session drummer for live bands and studios
The course helped show me how to use my skills to make money, you can actually get paid for this! Armstrong helped me go self employed
Keith Prior
Session musician doing live and studio work. Currently recording an album.
I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth until i came to Armstrong. They helped me present myself to employers and showed me the importance of deadlines. They were so willing to help.
Amie Williams
Working towards an entrepreneur school scholarship starting in September.
I was pretty clueless when I started the provision, but i am much more aware now. The course has triggered my business side and inspired me to succeed
Charity Pepuzani
About to start recording an album of her own work, after having sung on various tracks for different producers.Charity now has an understanding of music programmes such as cubase.
I now feel i know everything there is to know about the music industry
Theon Thompson
Producer and performer still on programme has been accepted into an advanced media production apprenticeship at the BBC. He already enjoyed extensive radio air play for his recordings as well as securing a regular slot as a Dj on Stockport college internet radio.
I'm now able to put theory to practice
Iwan Gronow
Bass player. Iwan is playing regular gigs with various bands including Haven, The Healers, The Cardinals and Gilded Lily. He also works part time at Selfridges in Manchester.
Armstrong were particularly helpful when it came to constructing my C.V. Their advice helped me find employment
Shawn Davies
Shawn has for some time now managed and run a successful record label and digital download site, 'CCT Records'. The label has close ties with the University Of Central England who have helped fund the business. His rosta boasts an array of European talent and has regular releases. Shawn is now looking to expand the business and move into city centre Birmingham premises.
The course was really helpful and the workbooks provided are proving to be a valuable ongoing re-source. Great for people starting from scratch
Nathan Wason
Self employed guitar teacher with a ever growing number of students.
Through the workbooks i gained the business knowledge i had previously lacked. The face to face meeting gave me the confidence to start my own business
Christopher Pickering
Christopher's band 'The Spectors' are currently recording new demo's at the expense of Island Records.
The advisor's really helped with structuring our rehearsals, speaking to people who had been there and done it
Terrence Moore
Terrence is running two workshops at schools in Bristol and Bath as well as private one to ones.
being on the provision really helped me get organised in going self employed, especially in creating my business plan and putting it into action. The workshops gave me the opportunity to meet people in a relaxed but focused environment
|
|
