The best way to get ready for work in the music industry? Learn from leading musicians.
University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music students had the chance to take a masterclass with leading industry musicians instructing them how to best use industry-standard music production software Ableton.
Associate Lecturer in Music Technology Damien Goundrie organised for the University to get Ableton certification, giving the electronic music producers and performers of tomorrow the right practical experience today.
Damien said it was important for students to have the right training to enter the music industry successfully.
People tend to think about conservatorium education as being primarily focused on Classical or Jazz musicianship; electronic music and music production are growth areas of the music industry and our curriculum reflects that.
The masterclass was led by veteran DJ Mike Callander and there was also a performance and demonstration by electronic musician Alice Ivy, both Ableton users.
Student Frances Cameron, 30, is in her first year of the Songwriting and Commercial Music Creation dual stream. A qualified pharmacist, she’s also been performing music since she was in high school.
“Ableton has been highly recommended, so it was great to get some more information about it. I write a lot of soundscape, background tracks, which is why I’m doing Commercial Music Creation.
I lived in Melbourne for a few years, but the course down here actually looked better for what I was after.
“I’m really enjoying the course and the staff are very engaged and helpful.”
Mike Callander has been a DJ and producer for almost 20 years, working with acts like The Avalanches and The Presets. A long-time user of the software, Mike brought his considerable expertise to the Conservatorium, leading students in a practical Live workshop.
“if you have any aspiration whatsoever to perform on stage, you will end up using Ableton Live. If you’ve got a mind for music performance, you really need to consider Live,” he said.
Mike is Melbourne-based but he’s keen on Tassie’s burgeoning creative scene.
I’ve been to Tassie many times. I’ve played here at Dark Mofo and it was a fantastic experience. My colleagues are performing more and more in Hobart.
Mike Callander, DJ, producer and academic.