Music Students Explore Chicago Venues

10/16/2013 4:33 PM

By Lindsey Overby ‘14

Over fall break, the students involved in Musicians In Business (MIB) were busy networking with music industry professionals located in downtown Chicago. Musicians In Business is a student-run organization designed to assist students who are interested in the music world stay current with trends and issues in music.  A variety of opportunities from special events to round table discussions, events and guest speakers are offered through the MIB organization.

Senior Music Business major and President of MIB, Lindsey Overby, first organized the Chicago trip last year in hopes that students in MIB would be exposed to the various paths in the entertainment industry and gain essential contacts that are so crucial in the music business. This year, the students visited companies such as Leo Burnett, 97.1FM The Drive, Metro (a well-known music venue), The Old Town School of Folk Music, See Music, and Chicago Recording Company. 

Meetings with industry professionals allowed the students to acquire professional and industry-based knowledge. Often students were presented suggestions in how to improve their success in their future career endeavors. With a wide range of different jobs presented in radio, advertising, publishing, venue/production of live shows, and recording, students were exposed to different fields in the music business profession.

Senior Music Business major Amy Thomason really enjoyed this aspect of the Chicago Trip. “This trip was not only a fun way to spend my fall break, but it showed examples of many avenues that you can take in the music industry. I got to meet with companies that I wouldn’t have been able to without this trip. It really helped with networking and narrowing down my interests in the industry.”

The MIB Chicago Trip is one of the many valuable opportunities available through the Music Business Program at Bradley.