Dr. Alan Goldspiel traveled to Nashville, TN to attend 2018 Summer NAMM as a 2018 NAMM Foundation/CMS GenNext Fellow. Goldspiel was awarded The NAMM Foundation-College Music Society Grant back in May as one of fourteen music faculty members nationwide chosen to participate in the CMS-NAMM Summer Fellows Program for Music Faculty.
The CMS-NAMM Summer Fellows Program for Music Faculty began on June 28th with a Breakfast Session that included an amazing performance by Alison Brown and her band. After breakfast and the musical treat, the 2018 NAMM Foundation/CMS GenNext Fellows attended sessions on subjects ranging from ‘The Multi-faceted Music Industry’ to ‘Leadership from Within.’ The schedule encompassed discussions and workshops focusing on analytics regarding the music industry, social media, and higher education’s role in guiding future 21st century musicians.
The session-packed 3-day agenda was not without some fun as well as the Fellows were taken on a Nashville Industry Tour that included visits to UNIVERSAL, SESAC, FLYTEVU, and a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry. These tours were both educational as well as entertaining as the Fellows were informed about some of the intricacies involved with many of the professions involved in the Music Industry.
Throughout the event the Fellows had opportunities to learn from Music Industry experts as well as others in attendance. An important part of the experience was exploring the trade show exhibit hall. Goldspiel was able to meet with representatives from many of the companies whose products he uses and recommends. “It was a great experience to talk to and to learn from the product experts and see all the new gear available.”
During the event Goldspiel and the other Fellows were given VIP seating for The National Music Council’s 35th Annual American Eagle Awards where they were able to witness the Manhattan Transfer and Chick Correa receive their honors and an impromptu performance of Gershwin’s Summertime by the awardees joined by presenter Hubert Laws. For more about The National Music Council’s 35th Annual American Eagle Awards click here.
When asked about his attendance at the event, Dr. Goldspiel stated “I am so pleased to have been able to attend such a wonderful conference and to learn much more about the work of NAMM, its advocacy, and programs. This look inside the industry has been fascinating and it is one that I will take back to the university and share with my students. And, I got to meet so many wonderful new colleagues.”
For more information about The College Music Society GenNext click here.