Track 1: On Location: A Technical Training on Remote Live Music Production
Remote production for live performance demands a unique blend of technical knowledge and on-the-ground problem solving. This preconvention session will give students a comprehensive, practical foundation, starting with what to pack (and what to leave behind), then moving into the documents that make or break a smooth show, stage plot and input lists. From there, we cover microphone selection and placement for live performance, the principles of live mixing, and multitrack recording so nothing is lost once the curtain falls. We’ll close with an accessible overview of the mastering stage, connecting the live recording to a polished final product. Students will build confidence and troubleshooting skills in managing a remote production from load-in to load-out.
Track 2 (Part one): Deal Done: The Art and Business of Booking Talent
Every great performance starts with a conversation, and knowing how to have it. This session is a deep dive into the world of music and artist relations from the booker’s seat: approaching talent, negotiating logistics, navigating rider and backline requests, and getting a contract across the finish line without burning a relationship. We’ll cover how to build and maintain artist and management connections, what to expect when things go sideways, and how to protect your organization while keeping talent happy to come back. Whether you’re booking a campus showcase or working toward a career in live events, you’ll leave with the language, the leverage, and the playbook to make deals happen.
Track 2 (Part two): So You Want a Concert on Campus: Making It Happen from Idea to Encore
A campus concert sounds simple until you’re the one responsible for it. With a plethora of roadblocks that span from noise restrictions during classes, to limited spaces, and the politics of navigating the obstacle course that getting student life, SGA, and other orgs support, this session pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to produce a live concert in a university setting, while navigating budgets, coordinating with facilities, managing campus community stakeholders, and making sure the show goes on. From soup to nuts, this session will get you from pre-production, to promotions, from event management to post production. Led by a faculty with deep professional concert production experience and a brand-new industry professional who landed a campus rec center role just 30 days after completing her Concert Production course, this is as real as it gets. You’ll hear from people at every stage of the journey, from veteran to very first gig and walk away with a concrete road-tested approach to producing concerts that serve your campus community and build your resume at the same time.
Both tracks will come together from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for a live performance.
