Webster University Collaborates with the INTERSESSIONS Artist Development and Thought Leadership Conference
August 18, 2022
Music at the Intersection is revealing the details of its inaugural INTERSESSIONS
micro-conference on Sept. 8-9, which is immediately ahead of its two-day outdoor music
festival. Taking place at .ZACK (3224 Locust St.) and presented in collaboration with
The Recording Academy and Webster University School of Communications, INTERSESSIONS
will focus on the nexus of art, music, technology and entrepreneurship.
Attending the conference is free. However, there will be a small ticket processing fee at sign-up.
On Thursday, Sept. 8 from noon-4 p.m., Webster University School of Communications will host a series of artist development workshops specifically targeted toward emerging musicians and those pursuing (or interested in pursuing) a career in the music industry.
On Friday, Sept. 9 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., creatives and entrepreneurs of all stripes (music, art, tech) are encouraged to attend the professional development portion of INTERSESSIONS, which will feature a heavy-hitting roster of influencers from the worlds of music, art, technology and business participating in a highly-curated schedule of panel discussions and presentations.
Those interested can RSVP on the event website or call 314-534-1111. There will be individual tickets for each workshop/panel. Attending the conference is free. However, there will be a small ticket processing fee at sign-up.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
On Thursday, Sept. 8, discussions will be led by faculty, friends and alumni of Webster University School of Communications, including Carl Nappa, chair of the Audio Aesthetics & Technology Department and Grammy-nominated music producer.
The workshops (approximately 45 minutes each) will cover the topics of:
- Recording Studio Session Prep
How should musicians prepare for a recording session? What’s the difference between mixing and mastering? What goes into choosing a recording studio and engineer, creating a workflow and deciding on a producer? - Music Publishing 101
Volunteer lawyers and accountants for the arts will be on hand to discuss the world of music publishing and licensing. Do artists need to copyright music and what should they look for in a performing rights organization? - Online Sales and Merchandise
With record sales down, merchandise and online sales have become a critical income stream for artists. How can musicians provide fans with a safe and easy way to purchase merchandise? What other tools are available for entrepreneurs? - YouTube Maximization
YouTube is the largest provider of music. How can artists engage and build YouTube audiences to maximize their exposure?
“These workshops are based around all the different types of courses we currently teach at Webster University School of Communications,” said Nappa. “We have an incredible network of faculty, friends and alumni with a wealth of real-world audio and video experience.
"In partnership with Music at the Intersection, we’re sharing that industry knowledge with anyone who wants it. This is all about sharing resources, capacity building for the St. Louis music scene, and giving young, emerging artists a leg up.”
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ST. LOUIS’ MUSIC ECONOMY
On Friday, Sept. 9, INTERSESSIONS will feature a special presentation titled Music's Impact on the St. Louis Economy, unveiling the results of a three-year St. Louis “music audit.” Conducted in partnership with Sound Diplomacy, an international organization specializing in understanding a city’s unique music economy, the audit results will give St. Louisans a clear picture of the role the music industry plays in the city (economic output, job creation, tourism interest) as well as ways to grow and protect it.
“St. Louis is a true music city, with an incredibly rich history that’s undeniably left an imprint on the American songbook,” said Chris Hansen, executive director of Kranzberg Arts Foundation. “However, if not nurtured, that musical prominence can fade. We partnered with Sound Diplomacy in 2019 in order to understand St. Louis’ current music economy as well as receive guidance on steps that can be taken to nurture and grow it.
"This goes beyond just retaining and attracting musical talent. We want to embed music and art into economic development, infrastructure, education, tourism and overall quality of life.”
In addition, via a series of bite-size (approximately 75 minutes each) panels, INTERSESSIONS attendees will also hear from a variety of national and St. Louis-based industry leaders on the topics of:
- Music, Art, Commerce in the Metaverse
What is the crossroads between tech, art and commerce, and how do artists start playing in this new world? - Art, Tech and Activism
How can art propel activism, and how can artists use their platforms to be impactful with a message? - The Future of Live Music
How are touring musicians making money through live performance, and what are the future, changing trends? - Your Career in the Recording Industry
Curated by The Recording Academy, this will focus on independent artists. What is your definition of success? What role do you want music to play in your life, and how do you build your career (and your team) to achieve it?
INTERSESSIONS panelists are heavy-hitters from the music, art, technology and business worlds, including:
- Jason Hall, Greater STL, Inc., civic growth and entrepreneurship
- Carol Chainon, JYC Technology, metaverse expert
- Matt Gardner, St. Louis Blues, metaverse expert
- Juan William Chavez, artist/activist
- Brock Seals, artist/activist
- Gina Grafos, artist/activist
- Peregrine Honig, artist/activist
- Joe Litvag, The Just Listen Company, live music expert
- Dan Merker, The Factory STL, live music expert
- Mike Judy, Mike Judy Presents, independent music promoter
- Jon Phillips, Silverback, concert promoter/artist management
- Reid Wick, The Recording Academy, The Grammys
- Tony Alexander, Made In Memphis Entertainment
- Meg Tarquinio, Nettwerk Music Group
- Alyssa Mark, A2IM (American Association for Independent Music)
- Love Graham, Q&Q Management
- Chris Hansen, Kranzberg Arts Foundation
- John Launius, Vidzu Media/Geniecast
- Sam Foxman, Evntiv
- Adrienne Davis, Washington University in St. Louis
- Others to be announced
“We are living through one of the biggest explosions of entrepreneurship,” said Sam Foxman, president of Evntiv. “Young people want to own their path, create their product and offer it to the world in both digital and real-world models. We want to give these makers and entrepreneurs an experience to hear top industry leaders discuss their craft and the art, technology and creativity that propels them.”
“With the decentralization of the music industry, St. Louis and its musical talent have a real opportunity to grow,” said Reid Wick, New Orleans-based senior membership and industry relations manager for The Recording Academy. “We’re excited by INTERSESSIONS, Music at the Intersection and the efforts being made to rekindle the city’s music economy. St. Louis is an important market to The Recording Academy and one we’re eager to invest our time in.”
INTERSESSIONS is sponsored by Kranzberg Arts Foundation, The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis and Eventiv, with support from The Recording Academy and Webster University School of Communications.
AFTER INTERSESSIONS
More About The Festival Weekend
Music at the Intersection (Sept. 10-11) will feature more than 50 national, regional and local acts across four stages throughout Grand Center Arts District’s outdoor festival footprint, a mix of urban streets and green spaces, stretching across Washington Ave., just east of Grand Blvd. Festival grounds open at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and performances will take place until well after sunset.
Headliners include R&B icon Erykah Badu, blues rocker Gary Clark Jr., international indie soul group Hiatus Kaiyote, blues guitarist Buddy Guy, jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, soul-rock band JJ Grey & Mofro, and St. Louis-bred alternative rock group The Urge, among others.
Music at the Intersection will also feature tributes to St. Louis legends Tina Turner, Albert King, and Henry Townsend, as well as a special celebration of Montez Coleman.
Tickets are currently on sale at www.musicattheintersection.org/tickets or directly at www.MetroTix.com or by phone at 314-534-1111. Prices start at $149 for all-weekend access or $79 for a day pass. Limited GA+ and VIP tickets are also available. GA+ ($325 weekend or $175 single day) includes private bar access, dedicated indoor restrooms and access to exclusive programming in Sophie’s Artist Lounge. VIP ($650 weekend or $350 single day) includes all the GA+ perks as well as access to a VIP Village, dedicated VIP viewing area at all stages and a commemorative festival poster.
In addition to music for 2022, Music at the Intersection will also put special emphasis on art and culture. Central to the festival’s footprint, Mural Market will be home to local artisan vendors, as well as live street art activations, artist talks, large format mural walls and high-definition projection mapping/immersive video art.
Leaning into the theme of Kranzberg Arts Foundation’s The Big Top (a flexible 1200-2500 person circus tent-style arts facility serving as one of the stages), the festival will also feature a variety of carnival-inspired amusements and activities for attendees - including pop-up circus performances, workshops, dunk booths and a flying trapeze that festival goers will have the opportunity to ride.
Throughout the weekend, Grand Center’s world-class partner venues – including Sheldon Concert Hall, The Grandel Theater and Jazz St Louis – will also open their doors for official festival pre and after party concerts. Lineups and ticketing details for those events are available (or will be shared) at www.musicattheintersection.org.
Music at the Intersection is presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis.
ABOUT MUSIC AT THE INTERSECTION
Music at the Intersection is a civic-led effort presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis. First held in 2021, the festival tells the story of St. Louis’ musical, cultural and artistic heritage.
It celebrates the city’s imprint on the American songbook, the relationship St. Louis has with its Mississippi River sister cities and the musical genres that have been birthed and fostered locally. Music at the Intersection gives a spotlight to national acts as well as St. Louis-based musicians across blues, jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop, and rock and roll.
For updates and additional information, visit the Music at the Intersection website or follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.