The concept is a variation of the popular “Silent Disco” where the audience wears headphones as pulsating dance music is pumped into their ears. An unusual site to see and one that has really taken off this year around Boston.

The silent concert was the idea of Allan Kraut, an Associate Professor at the New England Institute of Art (ArtInstitutes.edu/Boston), and Founder of Cambridge-based Merch Music (MerchMusic.com), a digital music download company.

Boston’s premier party band, The Sub5, will be performing top hits and classics during the NEiA Summer barbeque. Attendees walk up to a table, leave their ID and get to use a set of headphones to hear the band. They can even adjust the volume of the music to their own liking.

“This changes everything” says Kraut, “Now bands can perform almost anywhere: museums, backyards, airports or a parking lot like this!”

The guitar is run through a computer that simulates the sound of various amplifiers and is controlled by a “GiO” (ApogeeDigital.com/products/gio.php) provided by Apogee Electronics of Santa Monica, CA. The drum pads trigger various samples of actual drums and all the signals are combined using a device known as a JamHub (JamHub.com) by the Whitinsville, MA company of the same name.

Students in NEiA’s enormously successful audio program, under the guidance of professor Kraut, will be running the show. He’s planning other concerts in the area later this Summer.

The performance is on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 from 11:15am – 12:15pm @ The New England Institute of Art, 303 Boylston St., Brookline, MA. This event is exclusively for New England Institute of Art students. Exceptions are made for press.

Come on by, grab some lunch and enjoy the music or the silence!

Dan Carlin, Chair of Berklee’s Film Scoring department will moderate panelists:

Eric David Johnson (Executive Music Producer, Young & Rubicam)
Patti Jones (Lawyer, Author, and former Music Educator)
Ken Lewis (Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Songwriter, and Musician)
Lauriana Zuluaga (Music Licensing, Sony Music Entertainment)

May 18, 2010 • Hard Rock Cafe Boston • 6-10pm

Recording Academy Members plus one guest: FREE
Non-members: $25

RSVP here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHJidUlSaVdCY21DUnRVMjhXX2Jxenc6MQ

Join the Recording Academy at grammy365.com for free admittance to this and future events ($100/yr).

This event is the second of a three-part series. Stay tuned for info on the next event on digital distribution.

Now in its 37th year, the Percussive Arts Society Percussion Composition Contest is designed to encourage and reward those who create music for percussion instruments and to increase the number of quality compositions written for percussion. Many of the contest winners are considered staples in modern percussion literature. Cash awards totaling $4,500 are distributed each year. Instrumentation and category restrictions are determined by the PAS Composition Committee each year and the deadline for entries is April 15th.

Composition Categories and Prize Awards for 2010

Category I:
Timpani Solo (4 standard sizes i.e. 23″, 26″, 29″, 32″)
First Place: $1,500.00
Second Place: $500.00
Third Place: $250.00
 
Category II:
Marimba and Cello Duet
First Place: $1,500.00
Second Place: $500.00
Third Place: $250.00

Application Fee:
$35 per composition (non-refundable) should be enclosed with each entry. Make checks payable to the Percussive Arts Society.
 
Eligibility:
• Previously commissioned or published (printed, audio or video) works may not be entered.
• Time limit for each category is 6–12 minutes. Total duration of piece should be stated on manuscript.
• Compositions must be original (no transcriptions or arrangements).
• The difficulty of the composition is left to the discretion of the composer; however, high artistic goals should be coupled with realistic demands to allow for performance at the university level.
• Instrument demands should also be limited to those commonly found at the university level.
 
Procedures:
1. Submit six complete copies of the score. If scores are not computer generated, neat manuscript is required. Composer’s name should not appear on any of the score pages.
2. Six unmarked and individually protected CD recordings may be submitted, but are not required.
3. Submitted scores and recordings will be numbered at the PAS offices to ensure anonymity.
4. All complete applications will be evaluated by a panel of judges.
5. Contest results will be announced in June, 2010.
6. All entry materials become property of PAS.
 
Deadline:
All materials (application fee, application form and manuscripts) must be postmarked by April 15, 2010.

For more information, please contact us at:

Percussive Arts Society
110 W. Washington Street, Suite A
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 974-4488
Fax: (317) 974-4499
Email: percarts@pas.org

Link to the 2010 application web page: http://www.pas.org/experience/contests/compositioncontest.aspx
Link to previous winners: http://www.pas.org/experience/contests/compositioncontest.aspx

The top 50 bands with the most video views by February 9, 2010 will not only win a jam-packed prize package from all the sponsors, but they’ll also move on to the semi-finals! In the semi-final round, bands will be judged for the chance to perform at the 3rd Annual, world-famous AustinRox showcase in March 2010. Judges will include representatives from D’Addario, Evans, Planet Waves, The Roxy, Swing House Studios, partner companies, and even select celebrity musicians. The winning band will receive the following incredible prize package worth more than $20,000 including a trip to perform at the showcase!

Enter now at www.rocktheroxy.com.

Submission deadline is February 9, 2010 at 3pm.

December 2, 2009 • The Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles Street

www.thebostonmusicawards.com

Submit your version of the Foxwoods theme song “The Wonder of it All” and you could win a grand prize worth $25,000 including a shopping spree for new equipment, studio time, an advertising package, and of course be featured in Foxwoods commercials for the next year. Entering is easy, simply record your version of “The Wonder of it All,” and submit the mp3 at www.bethewonder.com. All instructions and sheet music is right on the website.

Whether you’re a rock band or a rapper, we want to hear your version!

For all rules and information visit www.bethewonder.com

Submission deadline is February 1, 2010 at midnight.

Boston Music Conference • September 24-25, 2009

“Where Preparation Meets Opportunity”

www.bostonmusicconference.com

The BMC is a two-day conference that offers various educational forums, networking opportunities, and exclusive music industry events to educate and empower aspiring talent and entrepreneurs by providing them with the information and tools necessary to pursue a career in music and entertainment.

It brings together 1500+ participants from around the country, including artists, entrepreneurs, entertainment personalities, students, major music industry labels and corporate representatives, as well as publicists and marketers. The schedule includes workshops, panel discussions and Q&A with top industry executives, social and networking events, showcase performances, and an all-star concert bash. Featured representatives include Sony, EMI, Universal, Motown, iZotope, Harmonix, Sonicbids, Open Labs, BMI, and The Recording Academy.

The overarching theme of the conference this year is the impact of digital technology on the music industry. Subcategories include: how new digital distribution platforms are creating opportunities, new channels of digital revenue, and some of the innovations that are fueling growth. Topics to be covered include: “Brands, Bands and Fans”, “Deals and Distribution”, “Breaking into Crossover Markets and International Deals”, “The Digital Age of Music”, “Getting Your Music in Games”, “Audio Engineering”, “Songwriting” and more.

Workshops will be held on Thursday, September 24 from 12-5pm and showcases will be held in the evening from 7-10pm. Artists who would like to participate in the showcase performances are encouraged to submit their music. There will be major label A&R’s present as well as top music industry executives. This is an opportunity to showcase your work in front of people who can change your career, as well as a receiving positive and constructive feedback. Performances will be judged and the winner will receive recognition as well as prizes. Submit your music at: http://www.sonicbids.com/BostonMusicConference or pay for spot by visiting the BMC website for details.

Panels will be held all day on Friday, September 25 from 11:30am-7pm with a Finale Party to follow. Please check the BMC website for detailed information and as well as all updates.

Register now! Tickets are $99 in advance and $150 at the door. Students can receive a 50% discount by emailing (info@bostonmusicconference.com) from their school email address and receiving a discount code.

_______________________________

Erin Lyder and Amberlynn Johnson represented Merch Music at the event:

Exclusive: Soundscan Officially Counting T-Shirt Albums…

New Mos Def album to be embedded in T-shirt

Mos Def’s new album ‘The Ecstatic’ is set to be released via T-shirt.

The album will be embedded in the shirt, and follows The Original Music Tee- a ‘mix tape’ shirt containing album art on the front and a play list on the back.

Each shirt has a hang-tag printed with a URL and a unique code allowing the purchaser to download the music from the album.

The shirt is produced by clothing label LnA, Downtown Music and Invisble DJ and will release on July 7 priced at $39.

‘The Ecstatic’ will be released on August 24 in the UK, and is the first from Mos Def since 2006’s ‘True Magic’.

–NME New York staff.

You can do this too – buy codes at Merch Music!