BayFest’s Music Industry Education Program Set for September
May 26th, 2011
BayFest will bring music industry standouts to the state September 24, 2011 as part of BayFest’s Music Industry Education Program, a one-day immersion session that allows area high school students to learn from entertainers and executives. The program is scheduled from 1 pm to 6 pm at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. BayFest will continue to incorporate a scholarship competition as part of the program, and award $1,000 to ten deserving students, totaling $10,000. To date, BayFest has awarded $35,000 in scholarship funds to students who show promise in the field of music.
The BayFest Music Industry Education Program was created in 2008 by a group of BayFest volunteers, including BayFest performer and national recording artist Dennis “Finger Roll” Nelson. The program’s mission is to inspire students interested in music and encourage those who may not otherwise receive music education. “We created the music education program and scholarship opportunity as a way to give back to the community,” said Bobby Bostwick, president and founder of BayFest. “We’re fostering local talent and teaching students what it takes to be successful in the music industry. They can’t find this kind of information or instruction in one place anywhere else.”
Workshops include sessions on copyright law, contract negotiations, stage management, college scholarship opportunities and other music industry issues. But most inspiring, is the opportunity to take the stage and play with national recording artists in a jam session. The program is free, but registration is required. Each student who participates will be eligible to win an autographed guitar and other door prizes from festival sponsors.
Mobile and Baldwin County public and private high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for BayFest scholarships, with the opportunity to earn $1,000 each for music education. High school students must submit a completed application and a video audition in order to qualify. Applications must be received by Friday, September 9, 2011. Applications are available at bayfest.com and at area high schools. Winners will be announced on a BayFest stage during the 2011 festival, which takes place October 7-9 in downtown Mobile. Scholarship winners will also benefit from a mentoring program made up of music industry professionals. For more information on the BayFest Music Industry Education Program and BayFest scholarships, email Shana Jordan at sjordan@bayfest.com.
The BayFest Music Industry Education Program is funded in part by the BayFest 5K & Fun Run, scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2011. BayFest will make a donation to the area high school with the most participants. For more information on how to register for the BayFest 5K, visit bayfest.com.