Published: Feb. 21, 2012
THIS WEEK ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEDNESDAYS:
College of Music Director of Development Lissy Garrison

Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about how to approach individual patrons for support, and how to develop and maintain relationships with donors. This is a skill that EVERY musician needs to learn, so what better time & place than with our own Lissy G.?

This Wednesday, 5:00-6:30, C-113

As always, free pizza and soda.

And mark your calendars for up-coming guests:Entertainment Attorney Dave Ratner and Joan Braun, Executive Director of ֱ Presents talk about understanding and managing CONTRACTS. (I know I keep saying this, but another great opportunity you shouldn’t miss!!)

ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:

Marketing the arts via the smart phone:Two-thirds of smart users have interacted with entertainment advertising on their smartphones…

• How arts presenters can capitalize on the smartphone

• Social Media vs. Email Fundraising– which do you think is better?
ENTREPRENEURIAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:“Not all who wander are lost”

You’ve probably seen that phrase at some point on a bumper sticker. Aside from the (unintended?) irony of pasting that on the back of a mode oftransportation,it makes a good point: sometimes just because one is not on a straight-and-narrow, no-diversions path doesn’t mean one isn’t still heading forward in a meaningful way. It just means that we all travel our own paths, and those paths are as unique and varied as our individual selves.

I think this is particularly important in the arts. Our artistic education is, in one sense, a complete paradox: we strive to learn our craft and develop our creativity, and we do so within a highly-structured curriculum and a highly competitive atmosphere (both in school and certainly in the professional world beyond it). Yet craft and artistry are themselves very subtle, complex, and even delicate things: they often take years (decades!) to develop, and they can do so along an almost infinite variety of paths. Some musicians flower early and spectacularly, but fade quickly; others don’t really find their voice or their true creative purpose until well into their mid-life or beyond. In the meantime, their life experiences are shaping and influencing their art in a myriad of ways.

So, as I often do in these columns, I once again ask:what has this got to do with entrepreneurship?And this week the answer has to do with the role that entrepreneurship can play in the way your professional and creative life unfolds. You see, entrepreneurship is much, much more than simply giving you tools to build a professional career in music. It can certainly be that, if that’s how you choose to apply it. But because entrepreneurial tools are universal tools, learning how to use them opens up options for you in whatever direction you might take – whether it be into professional music or somewhere else (closely related…or completely different!).

There’s one more thing entrepreneurship can do, and it’s about creativity. See, entrepreneurs are creative people – whether they realize it or not. They’re able to look at situations and see them through a unique perspective, a perspective that in turn sees opportunities where others missed them. They find creative solutions to things, and they’re open-minded and flexible enough to drop what they thought was their Main Plan and go down a different avenue altogether in pursuit of an even better opportunity. In other words, they’re willing to allow their creativity to lead them wherever it might go – even if it’s down a path nobody else thinks is worth traveling. They might appear to be wanderers to the outside observer, but they’re simply on a different sort of path.

Maybe you’re not sure where your musical path is leading, and you’d like to broaden your options. Or maybe you have a clear idea of the path you’d like to travel, but you’re not certain the best way to get there. Either way, entrepreneurial tools can help you with your navigation.

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And without further adieu…

The Video of the Week!

Britney Spears counterpoint!

The Entrepreneurship Center for Music •Jeffrey Nytch, DMA, Director

Email:jeff.nytch@colorado.edu•Office Hours: T/Th: 9-11 a.m. W: 2-4 p.m.– or by appointment

Entrepreneurship Wednesdays: 5-6:30 p.m., C-113 • Follow us onFacebook

OPPORTUNITY UPBEATFebruary 21, 2012

BRAVO! VAIL VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVALis seekingSummer InternsinMarketing, Production, DevelopmentandEducation.Please provide a cover letter and resume via email toegauthier@vailmusic.org. Deadline isFeb. 27.

ARS NOVA SINGERSis also seeking an Intern to assist with administrative and operational duties, flexible depending on the gifts and interests of the applicant. Contact Executive Director Chip Ross for more information:chip@arsnovasingers.com

JoinCLASSICAL MUSIC CITY, the social network for classical musicians, and get a listing in theirmusic teacher directoryfor free. Lots of other stuff to check out here, too:

THE INTERACTIVE THEATRE PROJECTis seeking a graduate student to be anAssistant Director.ITP uses theater to address social justice issues on campus and in the community. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree and enrollment in a graduate program (theater, sociology, education or related field). Background and understand of diversity/multiculturalism and/or social justice. Experience working with undergraduate students. Availability for ensemble rehearsals on Tuesdays from 5 to 7pm. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to:trenton.norman@colorado.eduor rebecca.brown@colorado.edu

ROAD OF CREATIVITYannounces its firstSummer Retreaton becoming a musician entrepreneur June 3-9. The retreat is a five-day immersion into the fundamentals of music entrepreneurship. Participants will engage in innovative training sessions with groups such as Alarm Will Sound, and will expose skills and attitudes imperative for success in today’s music world.

LONGMONT YOUTH SYMPHONYseeks candidates for apart-time Administratorto help us sustain and grow our organization. The Administrator reports to the LYS Board of Directors and works closely with the board and volunteers. Responsibilities include organizing and participating in all aspects of the LYS operations, managing LYSresources, coordinating and communicating with key stakeholders (students, parents, volunteers and musicdirectors). The Administrator serves as the main contact for the LYS and as the “go-to” person for LYS parents.To apply, please e-mail cover letter, resume and references to:info@longmontyouthsymphony.org

C4C GIGS AVAILABLE!The C4C is continuing their special “Food Weeks” that feature different cuisines from around the world. They’re interested in having ֱ musicians play for the dinner hour on selected nights, in return for a modest honorarium and free dinner for all involved. A fun and tasty opportunity to perform in a relaxed setting, for solo performers up to a group of 4 players. World music performers and works featuring Latin, Asian, or Middle Eastern influence encouraged! Contact ֱ GIGS Coordinator Nathan Hall for more information:musicref@colorado.edu.