Students in the Music Industry Studies (MIS) program in the University of South Carolina’s
School of Music believe in giving back to the program that supports them so much.
Collectively they used their growing knowledge of the music industry to rock and roll a benefit concert to raise funds for their program. The event, called Bass n’ Bells, was held at New Brookland Tavern and raised more than $3,000 dollars with all proceeds reinvested directly back into the program.
The fundraiser was entirely created and designed by MIS students, negotiating and booking the venue and artists, creating merchandise and marketing the event. As well as performances by bands Hey Johnny Park: A Foo Fighters Tribute Band, The Third Floor, Manning Feldner and CME Redtails, the evening included a silent auction. Additionally, funds were raised through ticket and merchandise sales, as well as cash donations.
Left to Right: Hallie Tam, Lyrical Tolbert, Hope Wilberger, Jeremy Polley, David Abdulrahman and Harry Milvid.
Program coordinator and instructor Jeremy Polley said the fundraising from the event helps offset the cost of future student experiences, guest speakers and clinicians, including off-site experiential learning like the program's recent experience with Danny Wimmer Presents.
Last September, 20 students in the MIS program were selected to travel to Louisville, Kentucky to take part in two popular musical festivals, Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life. The money raised from Bass n’ Bells will help ensure future programs like this for students.
These speakers and events help shape students' interests, provide real-world learning, feedback and provide excellent chances at networking towards future careers.
- Jeremy Polley, Program Coordinator and Instructor
“Offsetting even a portion of the costs connected with these events will go a long way to help ensure that all students have access to these world-class learning experiences regardless of their financial situation," said Polley.
The mission of the Music Industry Studies program is for students to gain transferrable job skills for both music and music-adjacent careers after graduation. The experiential learning opportunities allow students to have an advantage of a deeper understating of the industry before the graduate.
Sophomore MIS student Megan Gallagher said these opportunities are invaluable for her education and future career.
The hands-on experiences that I have had thus far have taught me more than any class and allowed me to make relationships with established professionals who will hopefully have a role in my future career.
- Megan Gallagher
“There is only so much you can learn in a classroom. The rest comes from getting out there and getting your hands dirty by having firsthand experience working in the music industry and meeting people who have succeeded where I hope to," said Gallagher.
Support Music Industry Studies
Music Industry Studies provide students with skills to achieve a career in the music industry through experiential learning opportunities, enhanced classroom learning as well as providing real-world knowledge of music venues, artists, recording studios and music businesses of all types. Support the next generation of students by a direct gift to the Music Industry Studies Scholarship Fund or the Music Industry Studies Enrichment Fund.
Topics: School of Music, Music Industry Studies,