Music Matters (education, arts & entertainment)

REVIEWED BY: Marguerite Zelle

MY RECOMMENDATION: YES

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Music Matters, by Natalie Wickham

WEB ADDRESS: http://musicmattersblog.com/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: games, worksheets, practice incentives, group class ideas, and more to help you run your music studio more creatively and efficiently

MY REVIEW: One thing I've always regretted as a kid was not making more of an effort to learn music - how to read music and how to play some kind of instrument. Too late now. But, if you're looking for ways to interest your kids in music, or just want to know what music teachers do, this blog is pretty intereseting.

Sample post

New (School) Year Resolutions
by David Cutler
Believe it or not, it’s back to school time again! Before things get too hectic, here’s a question for music students (and professors, and the rest of us): What specific actions will you take this academic year to advance your career? Sure, you’ll improve playing and other artistic specialties. But from a professional point of view, how will you be closer to life goals next May than now?

Take a moment to ponder resolutions, and WRITE THEM DOWN. Notated aspirations are significantly more likely to be realized than those that aren’t. Here are 10 possibilities:

Project. Bring a sellable passion project to fruition: recording, book, concert program, teaching studio, etc.
Branding. Build your brand so others immediately identify you with a unique and compelling artistic disposition.
Internet presence. Create a website, start a blog, boost social media efforts and web footprint.
Portfolio. Compile a professional portfolio consisting of bio, photo, musical samples, testimonials, programs, brochures, and other materials.
Internship. Obtain an internship within an entrepreneurial environment.
Mentor. Engage a career mentor (in addition to your musical mentor) who can help you focus priorities and move towards success.
Network. Meet and build strategic relationships with 5-20 new people who have the potential to be pivotal in your career.
Contact list. Build your contact list of people who care about what you do to at least 300-500 people (either through a site like Facebook or–better yet–your own newsletter mailing list).
Books. Read at least 5 books focusing on business, marketing, and career issues.
Blogs. Regularly follow at least 3 blogs that focus on career and industry related issues.

I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired just reading the above list! I’ve printed it out and am hoping to spend some time in the next few weeks jotting down my specific goals and ideas. Maybe I’ll even post some of the things I come up with here on the blog! How about you? Are you working toward any specific goals this year? Maybe we can inspire and encourage each other in our endeavors!

Also, remember to enter the drawing to win a free autographed copy of The Savvy Musician!

RECENT POSTS:
--CD Recording Made Easy
--Free Piano Scale Fingering Diagrams
--Get Your Own Studio Website
--Key Signature Chart
--Make Your Own Scale Blocks
--Practice Incentives Overview
--Record Audio CDs in Your Studio
--Student Interviews
---Year-End Evaluations


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