NETMCDO — CELEBRATING 29 YEARS!

 

Archive: NYC 2008

Archive: NYC 2008

Network of Music Career Development Officers 2008 Conference

[updated 2/18/08]

“Can you spare some change?”

Our “lucky” 13th annual Network of Music Career Development Officers conference was held, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 8–9, 2008, in NYC at the Players Theatre.

NETMCDO is the only conference specifically dedicated to the creation and improvement of career services for musicians! NETMCDO is a networking group made up of university and conservatory administrators and faculty, as well as staff members of music service agencies and other music training institutions. The conference is an opportunity to exchange ideas and information on assisting musicians in developing careers. We’ve kept the cost to a minimum and the networking, information sharing, and peer learning at a maximum.

Conference Highlights

Our conference theme this year was CHANGE: as in student & alumni expectations, the media, music industry, institutional leadership, curriculum, audiences, etc. . . .

We believe in peer to peer sharing. This is a conference designed by music faculty and administrators for music faculty and administrators -- focusing on music career development skills and services. We do real work in the real world.

What was in it for the participants?

  • Learn how change can help you grow
  • Up-to-date info on new services and programs for music career development in the US and abroad
  • Conference facilitator John Steinmetz will engage us in designing new ways to approach our work
  • Conference designed for optimal networking, info sharing, and getting your needs met

Come as you are, leave CHANGED!

Quotes from 2007 Conference Evaluations

"Superbly organized, full marks, eleven out of ten.” - James Murphy, Royal College of Music, London

“The conference was wonderful and I was so glad I attended.” - Bob McAllister, Colburn School, Los Angeles

“I came away from the conference really pumped up with ideas and positive energy.” - Linda Holzer, University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Location

As we did in 2007, we held our NYC conference at the conveniently located in the heart of Greenwich Village:
The Players Theatre
115 MacDougal St.
http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/
players.htm
Easy access by subway lines A, B, C, D, E, F, or V
W. 4th Street Subway Stop

A historical venue for theater and now also for music rehearsals and performance, the Players Theatre was purchased by the entrepreneurial percussionist Michael Sgouros, founding member of the Ethos Percussion Group. Michael will be on hand to welcome our group and talk about his own music entrepreneur journey!

Who attends these conferences?

We generally have 20 – 30 music schools and training programs represented at the conference, from universities and colleges, to training orchestras and conservatories. We’ve had a wide range of participants: faculty, staff, some who are brand new to the career services field, and general university career services staff seeking to enhance their offerings for music students. This variety makes for rich discussions and great information and idea sharing. So bring along a colleague from your institution to get even more out of the conference.

Benefits to you and your institution by attending the network conference:

  • Exploring fresh perspectives on the issues of music career development
  • Sharing information, ideas, and strategies
  • Networking with colleagues at other institutions
  • Hearing how other institutions deal with similar issues
  • Finding ways to maximize your time and effort
  • Re-examining priorities and missions
  • Becoming inspired and motivated by your colleagues
NETMCDO Conference Agenda & Schedule (subject to change -- but we doubt it!)

Day 1: Tuesday, January 8

We will start promptly at 9 am and go until 5:15.

Facilitator John Steinmetz, a veteran and favorite from past NETMCDO conferences, will help us explore the topic of Learning as Change as it pertains to our work, our students and alumni, our institutions, the music industry, and ourselves. John Steinmetz has planned an interactive, illuminating and informative day. We will discuss the many aspects of music career development and change issues in both small breakout groups and large group discussions. This day is meant to address the issues that matter most to YOU, so bring your ideas, questions and concerns to share and explore.

About our facilitator: John Steinmetz, principal bassoonist for Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and a Southern California freelancer, also composes music, serves as education consultant for computer and record companies, and writes and speaks about the state of the arts and about technologies of learning and expression. His article “Resuscitating Art Music,” which has been widely distributed in the concert music field, is on the web at http://www.munb.com/artx2.html

Schedule for Day One: Tuesday, January 8

(Please note: the work and discussion we do on DAY ONE is integral to the success of DAY TWO; these are not stand alone workshops and are designed for all participant to attend both days.)

9am–9:30 Registration check-in and coffee
9:30–10:30 Introductory networking and discussing your goals
10:45–12:00 Change and learning part 1:
  • Examine assumptions about learning and change
  • Explore aids and obstacles to learning and change
  • Consider desired outcomes for student attitudes and behavior
  • Discuss student learning styles and processes
  • Develop strategies for success
12:00–1:15 Lunch: (provided)
1:30–4:30 Change and learning part 2:

Discuss industry change and institutional response
Consider strategies for enhancing institutional awareness
Learn to create a positive dialog among faculty, administration, and students

4:45–5:15pm Wrap-up and preparation for day 2 with John Steinmetz

Note: Many conference participants elect to go out to eat together after the first day, please consider joining us!

Schedule for Day Two: Wednesday, January 9

The entire day will focus on this key question:

“In light of all the change around us, how can we best advise, teach, and understand the process of change?”

Note: We will start promptly at 9 am and go until 5:00 pm. The schedule for day two is purposely not posted because we will be using the popular “Open Space” meeting format, designed to ensure that conference attendees get their priority interests and needs addressed.

NETMCDO Conference Costs

Early bird registration rate: $150 per organization or school for the first participant; each additional participant for that institution is $50 (if you register by Nov. 1). After Nov. 1, cost is $200; no registrations after Dec. 15. Some partial scholarships available--email us for details.

The registration fee includes our meeting space rental, facilitator's fees, continental breakfasts both days, and lunch on Tuesday, January 8. Lunch on day two and dinners are on your own. Information on inexpensive NY hotel room rates is available on this site.

To Register, please vist our Registration page.

We look forward to seeing you in NYC! Your conference coordinators:

  • Angela Beeching - Director, Career Services Center, New England Conservatory
  • John Blanchard - Director of Alumni Affairs, Manhattan School of Music
  • John Steinmetz - Facilitator/Musician

Note: Spaces are limited! Early bird discount registration rate deadline is Nov. 1, 2007 for check & registration form (following), and emailed survey (see other attachment). To register, please fill out the (1) Registration Form and (2) Survey Form and return them with your (3) registration fee to Angela Beeching at New England Conservatory. No registrations accepted after Dec. 15.

Send (1) form, (2) survey, and (3) fee to Angela Beeching at New England Conservatory.

About Chamber Music America

We are meeting on these dates to make it convenient for people to also attend the Chamber Music America Conference, held in NYC, Jan. 11–14. Check out the CMA website at http://www.chamber-music.org. It’s inexpensive and a terrific resource from which to gain current information on performance, recording, funding and presenting issues in classical, jazz, and other musics. The cost of the CMA conference is very reasonable with discounted hotel available. You can register online for CMA at http://www.chamber-music.org. Or, call them at (212) 242-2022.

Any questions? Write/call:

Angela Beeching
abeeching@newenglandconservatory.edu
(617) 585-1117