Information will include:
• Important upcoming dates & deadlines
• Explanation of eligibility for submitted product
• How to submit product for GRAMMY consideration
• Step-by-step narrative of what each submission goes through once it has been submitted into the awards process
• What’s new for the 54th Awards

This presentation is brought to you by The Recording Academy, which is the organization that puts on the Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy is a membership organization – most of their events are free for members and charge a fee for non-members to attend. Non-members may attend this event for FREE!

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Thursday, April 7, 2011
4:30-6:30pm
The Recording Academy
3030 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404

RSVP: http://www.losangeleschapterrsvp.info

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Monday, April 11, 2011
6-9:30pm
NYIT Auditorium on Broadway
1871 Broadway @ 61st Street
New York, NY 10023

RSVP: https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dE90Vkw4OGRQY2NkUzc2TEVsRXdEekE6MQ

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Tuesday, April 12, 2011
7-9pm
Gershman Hall, Levitt Auditorium
401 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

RSVP to: RSVP_Philadelphia@grammy.com

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Friday, April 15, 2011
12-2pm
The National Press Club
529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Bloomberg Room
Washington, DC 20045

RSVP: http://recordingacademy101.eventbrite.com

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Monday, April 18, 2011
3-5pm
Hutton Hotel
1808 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203

RSVP to: RSVP_Nashville@grammy.com

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011
7:30-10pm
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
1601 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139

RSVP to: florida@grammy.com

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
4-6pm
Glenn Schick Mastering
1314 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30318

RSVP to: atlanta@grammy.com

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Thursday, April 28, 2011
6-8pm
Gibson Guitar Showroom
13601 S. Congress Ave, G400
Austin, TX 78704

RSVP: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDhsOUpGc3hWVHRXN0ZVUEwtZEQtc1E6MQ

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Tuesday, May 3, 2011
5-7pm
Memphis Music Foundation
431 South Main St., Suite 201
Memphis, TN 38103

RSVP to: memphis@grammy.com

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Thursday, May 5, 2011
12-2pm
The Recording Academy
303 W. Erie Street, Suite 210
Chicago, IL 60654

RSVP: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDFOVC1ySWtRUlhCLW5VdUpXNDlpN1E6MQ

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Monday, May 9, 2011
6-8pm
Gibson Guitar Showroom
87 Wall Street
Seattle, WA 98121

RSVP: http://grammyawards101.eventbrite.com

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
5:30-7:30pm
The Premier Theatre at ILM
1 Letterman Drive
San Francisco, CA 94129

RSVP: http://grammy101sf.eventbrite.com

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[Visit grammy365.com/events for more details & events]

Digital Music Blogs Bring Music to the Masses

December 24, 2010

Digital music has become mainstream – even The Beatles finally joined the party and agreed to make their music available through Apple’s iTunes store.

It has been more than seven years since Apple launched iTunes, forever changing how we get our music. Digital music is the norm for the vast majority of listeners, replacing CDs and other, even older, distribution methods.

“For consumers, digital music has become a quicker way to get introduced to and obtain new music,” says Allan Kraut, Audio Production instructor at the New England Institute of Art. “You can now have your entire collection wherever you go. It’s transportable, easily accessible, and you can search for specific songs that you want to hear.”

Kraut founded Merch Music, which allows musicians to upload their music and then print out a unique code which they can then sell to fans. The fans then come to the site and upon entering the code, can access the music they purchased. Musicians have the freedom to upload one song or a whole album per unique code. The code prints as a sticker allowing them to package the music with merchandise by sticking the code on clothing labels and other spots. Musicians pay $9.95 for 120 codes and keep any profits made after selling them to listeners.

“It gives bands an affordable way to distribute their music and make money from it at the same time,” Kraut says.

Another way fans are getting their digital music fix is through MP3 blogs, also called musicblogs and audioblogs. They do exactly what it sounds like they do – the blog creator offers music as downloads through the site. Peel is a combination of MP3 blog reader and player, allowing subscribers to stream music almost immediately after it becomes available. Founder Hjalti Jakobsson says that he started Peel as a way to automate the process of downloading digital music for himself.

“I still think it’s a niche – that is it’s mostly for people that really like to be up to date on what is happening in music,” he says. “A lot of my customers are musicians, music promoters, DJs, or people that work in the industry. However, I think that for every music fan there’s a lot of new music that goes unnoticed and the music blogs along with Peel really help discover otherwise overlooked talent.”

Music blogs are also a huge benefit to musicians, Jakobsson says.

“For musicians, getting their music out to the people is mandatory and music blogs really come into play there,” he adds. “A lot of music blogs feature music that is mainly unknown so reaching a broader audience is really important for them.”

But there can be some disadvantages to receiving and keeping music in a digital format. The most common complaint is that there is no physical keepsake when purchasing and using a piece of digital music.

“Some people still think there is value to a physical object that has music permanently embedded on it,” Kraut says. “Digital can feel temporary, like a ghost in a machine that can decide not to let you hear your music anymore, your hard drive might crash.”

Kraut adds that tangible formats of music, like records and CDs, can also give a musician more of a sense of accomplishment.

“Albums also maintain the performer’s intention for the order in which songs should be heard,” he says.

Jakobsson says that there are more positives than negatives to using digital music formats, although he does miss the experience that buying a CD or record provided.

“Personally, I think it’s not as exciting purchasing new music today,” he says. “Before I used to run to the store the day a new album by my favorite artist was released.”

Regardless of benefits and disadvantages of digital music, it does mean that more people can make music, giving the public more options than ever before.

“With digital distribution, there is less friction from maker to user and therefore tons more music available,” Kraut says. “Years ago, if you wanted to record, you needed a studio and thousands of dollars to print records. Now you can do the entire prcess out of your bedroom.”

But just because it might be easier for anyone to create digital music, it doesn’t mean they should.

“Just because you have a pen doesn’t mean you can write Harry Potter,” Kraut says.

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.

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

American Songwriter Contests

Billboard World Song Contest

Cooch Music’s Amateur Songwriting Contest

Durango Songwriters Expo – “Write With A Hit-Maker” Contest

Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition

Great American Song Contest

Hit Street Records – Talent Search

Independent Music Awards

Independent Music World Series (IMWS)

International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA)

International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

John Lennon Songwriting Contest

King Cat Christian Music (KCCM) – Song of the Year Conest

MerleFest Contests

The Next Holiday Classic – Song Contest

Nashville Songwriters Association International & Country Music Television (NSAI/CMT) – Song Contest

Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) – Awards/Competitions

OriginalSessions – National Band Search

Peacedriven – Songwriting Award

Portland Songwriters Association (PSA) – Annual Song Contest

Relix – Contests/Giveaways – Jam Off! (JamOff Sonicbids page)

Savannah Music Festival - American Traditions Competition

Songwriters’ Association of Washington (SAW) – Mid-Atlantic Song Contest

SingerUniverse - “Best Vocalist of the Month” Contest

Song & Lyric Contest

SongwriterUniverse – “Best Song of the Month” Contest

South Florida Folk Festival – Songwriter Competition

Universong - Canary Islands International Song Contest

USA Songwriting Competition

We Are Listening – Songwriting Contests

West Coast Songwriters – International Song Contest