University of Miami School of Music

Media Contact: Annette Herrera

305.284.5500

March 3, 2005

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES EDUCATORS TO HOLD CONFERENCE IN MIAMI

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HOSTS 2005 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

CORAL GABLES, FL – For the music and entertainment industries, business is anything but usual. The dynamics of electronic media, to name one of the industries’ most pressing issues, require rapid and constant adaptation. Traditional models for retail and distribution are making way for e-commerce and self-distribution. Educators in these fields must always stay a step or two ahead of rest as they teach tomorrow’s music and entertainment leaders.

The Music and Entertainment Industries Educators Association (MEIEA) was organized in 1979 and currently has more than 300 members. MEIEA’s goal is to bring together educators and the leaders of the music and entertainment industries by providing a marketplace for ideas, strategies, and original concepts in education to meet the professional challenges for the music industry of the 21st century. An annual two-day conference in the spring brings together MEIEA institutions and industry leaders for panel discussions, lectures, and paper presentations about the music/entertainment industry, recording technology, pedagogy, entertainment law, and other topics.

This year from April 1-2, 2005, the 2005 MEIEA Conference will be hosted by the Frost School of Music at University of Miami. Panels, workshops and guest speakers will discuss topics ranging from new business models for the industry; the international music business; the recording industry, present and future; Indie labels; music entrepreneurship; women in the industry; the touring business; radio and the music business; and many more. Companies represented at the Conference will include ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, EMG, Sony, BMG, EMI, Universal, WEA, Peer, MTV, Clear Channel, and Billboard, among others.

“The music business as a whole is here to stay, but how we conduct that business is changing. What we teach today must anticipate these changes in order to produce future music businessmen and women who can be competitive and successful in this ever-evolving business climate,” notes Jim Progris, a founder and past-president of MEIEA and Professor and Chair of the Frost Music School’s department of Music Media and Industry, and program Director, Music Business and Entertainment Industries. The Frost School of Music’s program in Music Business and Entertainment Industries was established by Progris and maintains an average enrollment of 100 undergraduate students and 25 graduate students, with approximately 25 annual slots for entering freshman.

The conference will be held at the Miami Dadeland Marriott. Registration is $80 (after March 1 $100) for MEIEA faculty and industry; and $65 ($80 after March 1) for MEISA students. Guests can register for $130 as faculty/industry (includes MEIEA membership; and $80 for students (includes MEISA membership.) Several events at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall located at 1314 Miller Drive on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus are free and open to the public.

Friday night will feature a South Beach Bash, with complimentary transportation to and from South Beach provided to conference attendees who wish to explore "Sobe's" world famous restaurants, clubs and night life.

Coordinating the conference for the Frost Music School is Rey Sanchez, associate professor in the Music and Entertainment Industries program. Sanchez is an industry veteran with extensive experience in music publishing, record production, as well as being the musical director for Latin pop star, Chayanne. For more information on the 2005 MEIEA Conference registration and public events, please call 305.284.6252 or visit the conference website at www.meiea.org.

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