Music industry conference hits the right note
08 December 2009
LJMU recently hosted Access All Areas 09, its second enterprise and careers student conference for Popular Music Studies students, at the world famous Cavern Club last week.
The event was jointly organised by Tim Dalton, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music Studies, and the Student Enterprise Team and presented a unique opportunity for the students to learn from experienced music professionals and for the professionals to meet students looking to break into the industry through self-employment.
The professionals were invited from all areas of the industry, including music production and technology, tour management, promotion, record label management and a representative from the Musicians Union.
Using keynote speakers followed by ‘speed dating with industry’ where the music industry experts introduced themselves to the student audience using an ‘elevator pitch’, students were then able to talk to the experts in small groups at tables situated around the club.
The closing keynote speaker was David Parrish, an expert in business start-up advice for the creative industries. Delivering a fascinating talk on his experience as a self-employed creative professional, David emphasised that it is no longer the case for music and creative graduates to make a choice between following their creative dreams and making a decent living; it is possible to have both.
Speaking after the event, Tim Dalton commented: “Access All Areas 09 was a ground-breaking event that no other UK university does. The bringing together of 20 plus pop music industry professionals and the three years of the Popular Music Studies students provided some unique opportunities. By taking the ‘green room’ approach we have introduced our students to the region’s movers and shakers and proven to them how dynamic and resourceful our students are. One of the many spin-offs is that we now have 100% work based learning placements for 2nd and 3rd year students. I can’t wait for bigger and better Access All Areas 10.”
If you would like the Student Enterprise Team to work with you to deliver a similar industry-focused conference for students in self-employment, please contact Dominique Aspey on 231 8062 or email d.aspey@ljmu.ac.uk
Pictured: David Parrish and the other speakers address the students in the Cavern Club
