The Racquette

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: College Life

Media Credit: Ben O'Brien Smith

Fifteen students from the Crane Institute for Music Business spent a week during January in Anaheim, California, interning with various companies at the 2010 Winter NAMM music products trade show. The group, under the guide of Music Business Institute Executive Director Kickie Britt and David Britt, spent several months leading up to the trip researching the history and product lines of the company they had been assigned to. The companies included Samson Technologies, Korg/Marshall/Vox, Sabian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, SKB Cases, D'Addario and Alfred Publishing. The Crane Institute for Music Business was the only program that provided students with internship opportunities at the NAMM trade show.

The students worked with their respective companies in preparation for the show by assisting in the booth setup and various logistical tasks. During the four day trade show, students held a variety of responsibilities ranging from providing product assistance to security during artist signings to assisting in meeting preparations.

"It was eye-opening to see the real interaction between the different players in the business and to see them all come together," recalled junior music business major Stephen Mucciolo. "I particularly enjoyed meeting people from all different walks of life, and different parts of the world," commented senior music business and performance double major Nikki Langhorne. "It helped to give me a greater understanding of how big the music product industry truly is."

In addition to the NAMM related experiences, students had the opportunity to tour the Tower Records facilities in Los Angeles during a day off from their internship work. The tour included a walkthrough of the recording studios and a trip up to the roof to take in the spectacular panoramic view of LA and Hollywood. A tour was also taken of Alfred Publishing in Van Nuys later during the week.

On the third day of the trade show, Kickie Britt moderated the third ever music business roundtable in memory of the late Sandy Feldstein. The roundtable panel was comprised of six prominent members of the music products industry including Joe Lamond, President and CEO of NAMM. The roundtable discussion focused on the relationship between music education and the music products industry.

At the end of the fourth and final day of the show, the companies began to break down their booths. The students worked with their companies into the evening to pack everything up and avoid the need to work during the following day. Though everyone was exhausted from an amazing week, it was agreed that the experience would never be forgotten.

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