Organization helps students network in the music industry.
By ADAM MEZA
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Grammy U, a national organization created to help students network in the music industry, made an appearance at this college Tuesday evening.
The theme reiterated by speakers and students was that networking is everything in the music industry. Grammy U is an organization that can expose students to professionals in the music industry network.
About 20 students attended the event in Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building.
Theresa Jenkins, senior executive director of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy, was unable to attend because of a family emergency, said Christee Albino, project manager of the academy who spoke in her place.
“It’s a program that the Recording Academy created so that we can give students that are interested in the industry an out-of-the-classroom experience and an opportunity to get engaged, to jumpstart a possible career for them.”
She explained that Grammy U arranges “meet and greet” events between artists such as Taylor Swift and Grammy U students.
They also arrange for Grammy U members to volunteer at events such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits music festivals in Austin.
The Recording Academy not only supports Grammy U, but also is the organization behind the Grammy Awards and MusiCares, a charitable organization for musicians.
Writer and producer James “Pharaoh” Brown and composer Carl Thiel gave personal accounts of minimum wage struggles before being able to break into the music industry.
“I wish there was an opportunity like Grammy U for me when I was younger,” Thiel said. “It would have made my life so much easier. There is no better opportunity for you right now than Grammy U.”
Brown, San Antonio native and Grammy award winner for his collaboration on the hit Jamie Foxx song “Blame It,” became a Grammy U board member about a month ago to give back to those aspiring to make it in the music industry.
He said San Antonio does not provide many avenues into the music industry so he moved to Atlanta to gain better exposure.
“I want to be one of those people that can help for the people that have the skills and the drive but not the avenues,” Brown said.
Networking was the word of the evening.
The idea being sold was that dues of $25 a year or $50 for four years can help students get professional exposure to the music industry.
Scott Marker, an intern through the music business program and 2011 graduate of this college, said he came to join.
“I came here today to join Grammy U to take every opportunity to move up within the industry,” he said. “The foundation affords you the opportunity where you wouldn’t have it. A slight fee moves you up within (Grammy U), which is one of the most powerful entities in the business, so why not take every chance to step up and grab a foothold in it?”
Those who missed the event and would like to join Grammy U can still do so online at https://www.grammy365.com/join.