A group of Hartt students had an opportunity to explore all facets of the music business in a recent trip to Nashville. Many of the students are music and performing arts management majors. The trip “Discover Music City Nashville’ was organized by Mehmet Dede, associate professor of music and performing arts management.
The three-day experience provided the students with the opportunity to explore Nashville’s rich music history, and experience the sights and sounds of the city. Additionally, relationships with key industry leaders were also forged, as students met with music business managers, talked with songwriters, and even attended a Hartt alumni gathering at Sterling Sound Studios.
In addition to meeting alumni, the students visited Battery Lane Studios, Third Man Records, Country Music Association, Big Machine Records, and the William Morris Agency. They also toured venues such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Studio B, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Ryman Auditorium, as well as an opportunity to attend a concert at the Grand Ole Opry.
As many music aficionados know, Nashville is a major hub for the music business, boasting a high concentration of musicians, recording studios, and industry talents, as well as serving as a prominent hub for live performances. While it is known for country music, there are many genres celebrated in the city, from bluegrass, rock, blues, to indie, and more, giving it a rich music landscape. This opportunity for Hartt students to explore the city—many of them juniors and seniors—provided both a preview of what they might expect in their future professions, and serving as a source of inspiration and connection with industry leaders and change makers.