Keith Anderson Interns at Jupiter Band Instrument in Nashville

09/28/2010 6:56 PM

 By: Melissa McGuire

As a student at Bradley, Keith Anderson has learned about music history and music theory in the classroom. Now he is taking a break from his studies to get some real-world experience as an intern for the Jupiter Band Instrument Company in Nashville, Tennessee.

Anderson, a senior at Bradley, has played the trumpet since he was in sixth grade. He didn’t intend to make music his career until he saw Buddy Guy in concert in Cincinnati. That was the moment he knew what music meant to him.

Currently, Anderson is working at Jupiter Band Instrument Company. During his internship, he has completed a variety of tasks from marketing to sales. He has also gained a wide range of music product experience because the parent company of Jupiter Band Instrument Company, KHS America, also makes MAPEX drum sets.  Anderson explained some of his duties at the company.

“A few of my responsibilities have been writing artist bios for the Mapex website, setting up mock booths for music educator shows, assisting in planning for music educator shows, developing a marketing program for new products, assisting with grand opening ceremonies, assisting with instrument quality control, and assisting with inventory control,” said Anderson.

Anderson will spend the remainder of the fall semester working at the company’s headquarters in Nashville. He will return to Bradley in December and plans to graduate in May of 2011.

The semester away from Bradley has proven to be a learning experience full of memories.

“Though I am not even halfway through with my experience here in Nashville, I have already absorbed so much knowledge and perspective of the music products industry,” said Anderson. “This internship has given me a very well rounded perspective on the music products industry. I can only hope that this experience will give me an edge when I seek employment after graduation. 

Graduation is quickly approaching, and Anderson is pondering what he wants to do with his life.

“Ideally, I would like to get a job at a music instrument manufacturer like Jupiter Band Instrument INC.,” said Anderson.  “After living in Nashville and experiencing the city’s vast live music scene, I would love to live here, as well, to fully experience the music industry.”