Schedule

Friday June 20th

10:15 - 10:30
Opening Remarks - Welcome to the IMC! - Noel Ramos, Executive Director

10:30 - 11:45
Media Challenge - PANEL

12:00 - 1:00
Basic Steps of Music Publishing for the Independent Songwriter - Rob Case

Role Call - The Key Hats to Wear for Success in the Music Business - Bill Pere

12:00 - 1:30
But it Sounded So Much Better at Home - Vocal Technique & Conscious and Unconscious Aspects of Singing - Steven Memel

2:00 - 3:00
Entertainment Psychology - Jamie Ballard, PhD

Music Biz 101 - Brad Bradley

2:00 - 3:30
Myspace & Promoting - Jim Fetzer

3:00 - 4:00
Fan Relationship Management - Creating Your Brand and Selling Directly to your Fans - Jason O'Brien

Arts Management - Maurice Henderson

3:00 - 4:30
The Performing Songwriter's Paint Box - Vocal Workshop - Kay Pere

4:30 - 5:45
Indie Booking and Full Spectrum Touring - PANEL

6:00 - 7:00
DISCourse - CLOSED PANEL

Saturday, June 21st

10:30 - 11:45
Publishing, Fact and Fiction - PANEL

12:00 - 1:00
Copyright and Business Basics for Songwriters - L. Kevin Levine

Your Creative Compass: How to Achieve Sustainable Creativity in a Busy Life - Kay Pere

12:00 - 1:30
What To Do With Your Hands, Legs, Eyes, Hips, Spleen and the Rest of Your Body - A Vocal Performance Workshop - Steven Memel

2:00 - 3:00
Tripling Your Audience with Targeted Songwriting - Bill Pere

Guerrilla Street Team Marketing 101: A Brief Introduction - Brad Lovejoy

3:00 - 4:00
Professionalism - Cynthia K. Wunsch

How to Become a Spoken Word Artist or Recording Artist of Rap, Gospel or Urban Contemporary Music - Maurice Henderson

Looking for Press in All the RIGHT Places - Noel Ramos

3:00 - 4:30
Risky Business - The Performer as Risk Taker - Steven Memel

4:30 - 5:45
Street Teaming, Buzz Building, Merch, Expanding Your Revenue Streams - PANEL

6:00 - 7:00
DISCourse - OPEN PANEL

Sunday, June 22nd

10:00 - 4:00
IMC All-Day Singer/Songwriter Seminar

About The Panels

Meet the Producers PANEL
A group of well-known producers in one room! This panel needs no further explanation.

Publishing, Fact and Fiction PANEL
The complex business of publishing will be discussed including: role of the publisher, benefit of their expertise to the songwriter, writer's share, publisher's share, statutory rates, the functions of the PROs, sync licensing, master use licensing, artist royalties (related but often confused with publishing), as well as which royalties are paid by radio. The myths that you should never assign or *give up" your publishing interests, and that artists should co-publish their songs or "retain 25% for nothing" will also be discussed.

What's My Line? Job Descriptions PANEL
Producers, managers, booking agents, engineers, and others will describe their jobs and who does what. It can be a bit confusing when you are considering bringing a new team member aboard, especially if it's a manager or a lawyer. It can also be very helpful to know more about what you should and shouldn't expect from an engineer in the studio, booking agent, or publicity person. This panel will help you determine what to look for in your business relationships.

Live Performance Critique
Artists and bands perform live for industry and peers. Get immediate feedback.

Technology PANEL
A general overview discussion of the independent music industry. They said it couldn't be done, but here we are, many thousands of indie musicians using the new technologies to advance a career outside of the traditional market.

Digital Delivery PANEL
Digital delivery is a reality. Now we are seeing how it is affecting the market. Even in the short time that we have been utilizing this new distribution method, it has already morphed considerably. Podcasting, ring-tones, digi-singles, sound tracks, and other digital marketplaces have already expanded this brand new opportunity. This panel will be a cutting edge discussion of these critical developments. Topics will include protection of intellectual property rights, digital distro deals, and the state of the emerging digital delivery market.

DISCourse CLOSED PANEL
Panelists will review submissions in a closed session (panelists only), in order to provide more effective and practical feedback on Saturday afternoon during the open DISCourse panel presentation.

Media Challenge PANEL
In the face of corporate consolidation, rapid changes and dizzying technological advances, what's an indie to do? How important is airplay these days, and how do you get some? What are the best ways to get press and media coverage? What are the best ways to promote via the media?

DISCourse OPEN PANEL
A unique listening and discussion group where artists can get real world feedback on their CDs. Panelists will review submissions in a closed session (panelists only), in order to provide more effective and practical feedback during the DISCourse panel presentation. CDs and press kits MUST be submitted for review no later than Friday, June 20th at 5:00 at the registration table.

Street Teaming, Buzz Building, Merch, Expanding Your Revenue Streams PANEL
Members of the promotional side of the market will discuss the importance of incorporating a serious street teaming effort into your overall indie business efforts. Methods for attracting street teamers, rewarding them, managing the program and brainstorming other new promotional ideas will be highlights. This brainstorming session will include ideas for increasing CD sales, creating alternate revenue streams, and expanding overall sales and income efforts. Diversifying your revenue streams gives you much more security than if all your income is based on only one or two sources. Seek opportunities that can lead to supplemental income and round out an indie career.

Indie Booking and Full Spectrum Touring PANEL
Many Indies realize the importance of watching their budget and utilizing DIY methodology for their booking and touring efforts. But what's the point of touring? This panel takes it to the next level. Maximize your effectiveness: gig-swapping, interviews, airplay, promotion, retail. Time is precious and touring is a massive undertaking; learn to tie in all the critical elements. These experienced road warriors will help you make the most of your efforts.

All-Day Songwriter Critique/Collaboration Session
Sponsored by CSA (Connecticut Songwriter's Association)
A day-long, high powered, focused songwriting/performance workshop and seminar where songwriters, composers and performers can gain valuable feedback on their music, and collaborate in co-writing with other writers under the guidance of special industry mentors.

Other details:
The session runs 10:00-4:00pm. The morning session will consist of an overview from session leader Bill Pere, followed by in-depth song critiques. Songs may be presented on CD or performed live. PLEASE BRING MULTIPLE COPIES OF TYPED LYRIC SHEET! This is a must for getting the best feedback. After a lunch break, we will discuss the process of collaboration, break into groups, and do some hands-on collaborative writing. The results of the collaborations will then be performed for the full group and all IMC attendees at the end of the day. To participate, sign up in advance for this workshop during the conference at the IMC Registration table. This process has yielded some quality songs which have gone on to be fully produced.

About The Presenters

Brad Bradley
Music Biz 101
This is a brief introduction into the music business for all those who are new to the business. From performing to teaching to writing and recording, this workshop brings to light some of the pitfalls associated with the business of music.

Rob Case
Basic Steps of Music Publishing for the Independent Songwriter
The New A&R Scouts of the music industry. Learn the basic steps of the music publishing business including a detailed outline that every songwriter, composer, producer should know: Agreements, Studios, Budgets, and Copyrights.

Jim Fetzer
Myspace & Promoting
In this very competative time a band needs to do things right. i.e., Proven ways of working smarter & harder.

Maurice Henderson
How to Become a Spoken Word Artist or Recording Artist of Rap, Gospel or Urban Contemporary Music
Participants will learn the basics for the preparation of their talent development.

Arts Management
Participants will acquire ability to distinguish their Skills Inventory Deployment for a Self Actualization of marketing their Individual Talent or developing, operating and managing a Performance Group, Visual Arts Facility (Gallery or Museum), Cultural Organization, Educational Arts Institution and Musical Ensembles.

L. Kevin Levine
Copyright and Business Basics for Songwriters
I will cover the basics of copyright protection and attempt to dispel some of the myths surrounding copyright. I will also cover some of the practical business aspects of songwriting, including the use of split letters and musician releases.

Steven Memel
But it Sounded So Much Better at Home - Vocal Technique & Conscious and Unconscious Aspects of Singing
If you ever feel like "sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't", this class is for you. Singing is about communicating. It's story telling with music. The last thing you want to be thinking about when you're performing is whether or not you can depend on your voice being there. Steven Memel will help you understand technically, on both the conscious and unconscious levels, what causes inconsistency and what you can do to change it. He will work with participants and have a Q & A. Feeling secure about your voice is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

What To Do With Your Hands, Legs, Eyes, Hips, Spleen and the Rest of Your Body - A Vocal Performance Workshop
If you've ever asked yourself these questions this workshop is with you... even if you've never asked the one about your spleen. Most performers feel at a loss to some degree for how to deal with their bodies on stage - especially when they feel stuck behind a piano, guitar or mic. Vocal technique and performance coach Steven Memel will give you concrete solutions to these questions and many other in this exciting and entertaining interactive workshop.

Risky Business - The Performer as Risk Taker
What does "going the extra mile" really mean? Is playing it safe really safe? What do the great performers and artists all do? In this unique workshop, explore with singing and performance coach Steven Memel what risk taking is all about. Look at what risk takers think and do. Volunteers will engage in performance exercises, vocal exercises and some written and group exercises... but only if they want to risk it! OhÉ and just watching is permitted too.

Jason O'Brien
Fan Relationship Management - Creating Your Brand and Selling Directly to your Fans
The music business continues to evolve. Artists are becoming more responsible for their own marketing and branding. Technology is driving the way audiences are consuming music and technology needs to be a core part of artists marketing and communication strategy.

Bill Pere
Role Call - The Key Hats to Wear for Success in the Music Business
Being an Indie Artist requires that you recognize all the roles that must be filled, the skills required, and how to find the right heads to wear those hats. . Music is first and foremost a people-driven business. Understanding the factors that determine how people (band-mates, booking agents, DJ's managers, record producers, partners,and fans) prefer to give and receive information can give you powerful leverage in navigating the maze of human dynamics and assure that you get the right people in the right roles. Bill's work and publications in this area, based on the widely used MBTI, have been called "groundbreaking" by Ian Bessler, Editor, Songwriter's Market. The information presented here can change your life. For additional info and pre-registration, visit - http://www.ctsongwriting.com

Tripling Your Audience with Targeted Songwriting
Are you reaching only 30% of your potential audience? The other untapped 70% is only a few key words away. You do not have to sacrifice artisitic integrity to reach a wider fan base. You just need to know some of the central factors in effective lyrical communication, and then decide how you want to apply them. The difference between songs that are liked and remembered by broad and diverse audiences as opposed to those that have a narrow following lies in a few easily applied techniques and an understanding of how people prefer to give and receive information. This workshop provides practical application of the information presented in the companion workshop "Role Call-The Key Hats to Wear for Success in the Music Business."

Kay Pere
Your Creative Compass: How to Achieve Sustainable Creativity in a Busy Life
We often focus on learning the business of music and craft of songwriting, but it is important not to overlook the wellspring from which it all comes -- our creativity and inspiration. Sometimes it seems difficult to find inspiration, to try something new, or to just have the time to create amidst the demands of a busy schedule. This workshop will address these issues and provide practical tools and strategies for insuring that your creative self never disappears under a heap of day to day demands on your time.

The Performing Songwriter's Paint Box - Vocal Workshop
Unlock all the colors of your voice. Techniques to release the unique expressive palate of each song. Tools to create a vivid experience for your audience no matter what your style. Learn specific vocal and songwriting techniques which will bring you attention as a Performing Artist. Producers and vocal coaches working to encourage vocal artistry on stage and in the studio will also find value in the distinctive approach offered by this workshop. Kay Pere is a multi-dimensional music educator, performing songwriter, visual artist and activist, whose creative work embodies a message of hope, healing and humanity.

Noel Ramos
Looking for Press in ALL the Right Places
Noel has published a music magazine for 20 years. He'll relate his experiences and results of surveys he's conducted with media peers. What grabs their attention? What convinces them to print one band's story over another? What do booking agents like to see? What else should you keep in mind? Has the advent of EPKs changed things? These answers and more from the perspective of those you want to target. Examples of press kits will be shown, and a free hand-out of Noel's 7-page "Press Kit Primer" will also be available for all workshop attendees.

Cynthia K. Wunsch
Vocal Health
Master class showing how to produce healthy sound while singing, also taking care of the voice.

Professionalism
How to conduct business in a professional manner so that people will want to invite you back to perform again and again!