Music education can be found across the country, but Senn High School on the North Side of Chicago provides a variety of special opportunities for its students. From talented student performance groups and a music technology program, to leadership by GRAMMY Music Educator Award finalist Trevor Nicholas, SHS stands out.

In celebration of Music In Our Schools Month, the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter Board made a special visit to Senn High on March 2. During their visit, Board members provided industry insight and guidance to "Mr. Nick's" students, and even learned a thing or two themselves. 

Throughout the whole month of March, the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum are honoring music education and educators through programs like GRAMMY In The Schools Fest. Whether you're in Chicago or reading from elsewhere,  these takeaways are relevant to music educators and students everywhere. 

A Thriving Environment From Rehearsal To Performance 

Board members caught the end of the SHS' choir rehearsal, led by Nicholas. The educator emphasized the importance of enjoying the art of performing and maintaining high energy — a lesson the enthusiastic choir had obviously taken to heart. 

For the choir students' performance later that day, Nicholas orchestrated moments in the show where students could demonstrate both strong unified moments and complex, layered sections involving intricate lyrics and overlapping melodies. He also had one of his students conduct a piece, providing an opportunity to have a student get out of their comfort zone in a rewarding environment.

While it is important to play the notes on the page, Nicholas said he strives to provide an environment where his students can also have fun and feel inspired to grow and improve in their craft, whether in the classroom or on stage.

Embrace Your Self-Worth 

After the performance from Mr. Nick’s choir, members of the Chicago Board shared wisdom from their experiences in the music industry and beyond. The professionals included touring Broadway bassist Stacy McMichael to six-time Apollo-winner Tarrey Torae, to GRAMMY-winning poet J. Ivy. 

A common message of the day was empowering the students to embrace themselves and their self-worth. GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, violinist and composer Susan Voelz emphasized the importance of music as a language, with everyone having their own unique voice. "No one is going to sound like you, and that’s what people want to hear." 

Drummer Tammy Hurt, who serves as the Chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees, gave a similar message about individualism. She told students to use their voices to create change, and to not "let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do."

Experimentation Can Happen Anywhere 

Following the end of the panel, students and the Chicago Board members made their way to Mr. Nick’s classroom for a Q&A in small groups. There, the Board members were able to talk more personally about their experiences and provide career advice specific to the interests of SHS’ music students. 

The students learned the importance of experimentation from Matt Hennessy, a local producer and owner of VSOP Studios. Hennessy shared how, in his experience, the barrier to entry for audio production is minimal — all you need is a recording device and your instrument. 

He encouraged students to experiment by placing the recording device at various points in the room, moving between rooms, or even just putting different items in a space. Trying different placements allows you to explore how acoustics work and create a unique sound. 

If You Have Ideas, Get Them Out There 

When it comes to creating or remixing, GRAMMY-winning DJ and producer Terry Hunter has a deep knowledge base. He also knows what it's like to sit on ideas.

Hunter emphasized how important it is to "make your folders empty" — that is, don’t let a project or a fully produced song sit on your computer forever. Get your work into the world and, once it's released, take any criticisms in your stride and use those to make improvements to your work.  

Hunter added  that the more you improve, and the more authentic you are in your music, the more likely you are to garner fans and attention. It’s more important to build a small, dedicated fanbase of 1,000 than to try and go viral. From then on, the fans will follow you and any crazy, new ideas you have. 

Reflecting on his experience in the more  analog age in music, where DJs often carried heavy stacks of records everywhere, Hunter praised the opportunities technology can bring. Between the accessibility to produce anything for cheap, and how much easier it is to popularize subgenres online, the possibilities are endless. 

Music Technology Can Inspire Student Artists 

Senn High School has a one-of-a-kind music technology program that gives the students the freedom to experiment and explore endless possibilities Through their brand-new "electroacoustic” program, students are given the access to experiment soundboards, electric guitars and MIDI keyboards; digital audio workstations (DAWs) enable students to tinker with sound and let their creativity shine in a classroom setting. 

The program also has a strong emphasis on collaboration. The students are put into bands where they collaborate on projects. One week they could be taking riffs from existing songs and creatively manipulating them in "riff puzzles," the next they could be working on an original work from scratch. Using cloud-based free DAWs, the students can collaborate on a track online, in real time. 

While this program is in its first year at Senn High School, the impact has already been instant and immense. Students can pursue their interests in music production, while also learning the importance of collaboration in the music industry. Many students have continued to work with their bands on other projects outside of the curriculum. 

Invite Students To Share Their Knowledge

Senn High School students shared their experiences with MIDI keyboards, and the way that they can manipulate sounds in ways some Chicago Chapter Board members hadn’t seen before. The students also discussed their creative endeavors, from learning new instruments in their own time, to what kind of poetry and lyrics they were writing on the train. This showcases the students’ inventiveness and drive to learn, even outside the classroom. 

The students were also some of the most supportive groups of creatives out there. As they engaged with the Board members, there was passion and inspiration in their eyes. Beyond that, there was a mutual understanding of each other and their own creative endeavors. They never let their peers understate the importance or greatness of what they are accomplishing. With this group of high schoolers at the front, the future of music is bright. 

5 Can't-Miss Panels At GRAMMY In The Schools Fest 2023

On Oct. 24, the world' s leading society of music people laid some precious knowledge on students. At a career day held in partnership with The Hartt School of Music, Dance & Theater at the University of Hartford, Connecticut, young professionals attended an array of topical sessions featuring movers and shakers from across the music industry.

By the end of the day, they had learned how they can put roots down in a complicated, ever-shifting industry landscape — and not only grow, but flourish.

After welcome remarks by Nick Cucci, Sr. Executive Director of the Recording Academy' s New York Chapter, Cucci sat down with Dani Friedman, the hospitality coordinator for seven-time GRAMMY winners and 34-time nominees Coldplay.

Therein, Friedmani discussed how she got her start in the industry, as a former GRAMMY U Rep and an intern at "Saturday Night Live." She elaborated on how all of those experiences set her up for success as she embarked on her career.

Friedman also discussed the importance of establishing and maintaining connections within the industry as a person just getting their start. She also discussed how to position internship connections to make the most out of those relationships after they graduate.

"As someone who came into this world without any connections or guidance on how to get started, I think programs such as GRAMMY Career Day are invaluable to both high school and college students alike," Friedman says. "It' s so important to share resources available to them and I am so happy to be able to give back already at such an early point in my career."

Afterward, schools attended two out of three topical sessions:

The first was titled "Navigating the Music Industry: Recording Contracts, Publishing & Royalties." This session featured Lee Dannay, Head of A&R at Thirty Tigers and Michael Goldstone, owner of Mom + Pop Music. Students heard from Dannay and Goldstone about how important contracts are in the musical cog.

"We too, started out as high school students with a passion for music and dreams of working in the industry," Dannay said after the event, adding that the career day session "instilled a level of enthusiasm and confidence in the students that will be invaluable to them going forward."

During their panel session, the pair discussed what it means to be paid royalties for the music one creates. They also gave students a bird' s eye view of major and indie label experiences, touching on the differing structure in each environment. Their key advice? Beware of the words "in perpetuity" — and balance your job with hobbies and passions outside of work.

The second was dubbed "Empowering Artists: Artist Representation and the Live Music Experience." This discussion featured GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer/songwriter Nicole Zuraitis; and Kristina Latino, Owner, Cornerscape Artist Management.

During this session, students learned all the nuances of representing artists — how to shop them, prepare  to leverage their brand, and navigate the industry independently or with the partnership of a major label.

They also conversed about going to college versus jumping right into music, as well as the value of education and the unique opportunity that exists in the music industry to explore both paths concurrently. For example, as they posited, an English class will teach you the power of words — and those words can change the way you write a song. 

The third session was "The Musical Landscape: Digital Marketing & The Power of Social Media," which featured the participation of Jeanine McLean, President of MBK Entertainment, Inc. and Tone Stith, Artist/Songwriter (Chris Brown, H.E.R., Quavo, Ty Dolla $ign).

McLean and Stith spoke with students about digital marketing, the power of social media, and how those tools are used to create and leverage a creative' s brand identity.

As a singer/songwriter himself, Stith spoke to students about how he has used TikTok campaigns to showcase songs, engaging his fan base through social media. From the business side, McLean discussed utilizing new media as a branding tool. She explained how her team works with artists like Tone to leverage platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to build a brand.  

"Speaking with the students in an intimate setting was very effective because it allowed our time together to be very conversational," Stith says. "I was able to share my journey of being a signed artist and singer/songwriter, they were able to ask me questions and I was able to ask them questions about their career goals and dreams. We talked, laughed and it was awesome because there was a lot of talent in the room, so I took out my guitar and we had a mini jam session!"

The day ended with a group session called "Internships: What are they and why are they important? with Marcus X. Thomas, Esq, Chair, Music and Performing Arts Management, The Hartt School, University of Hartford — as well as Chadae Bowler, Marketing Professional at TIDAL.

Thomas and Bowler spoke to students about the aspects of an internship and the opportunities that an internship can provide for college students. As Chadae said, internships are the "entry point to learning about the system." Students were able to ask questions and get a feel for how they can use internships to explore any industry.  

All in all, the day was a smashing success — and these participants offered testimonials.

Said Thomas: "It' s incredibly significant for the Recording Academy to bring GRAMMY Career Day to the city of Hartford. Although New York is just two hours away, it can be challenging for many young people who aspire to have a music career to make it to the city and connect with the industry. By coming to Connecticut, the Recording Academy is making the business more accessible to eager students. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that this has the potential to be life changing.

"The University of Hartford is excited to partner with the Recording Academy on GRAMMY Career Day," he continued. "This is one of several innovative initiatives we' re working on at The Hartt School to foster stronger relationships with area high schools for the benefit of the students we all serve. I hope we inspire students to learn more about rewarding careers in the music business, whether they come to the University of Hartford, go to another school, or go directly into the industry. As an educator, I want to equip students to become lifelong learners wherever their 'classroom' may be."

Added Dannay: "Programs like Grammy Career Day bring tremendous value to high school students, not only shedding light on behind the scenes jobs, internships and future career opportunities, and ways to attain those opportunities, but perhaps equally important:-the personal insight and encouragement shared by the panelists today, showed the students that their dreams and aspirations are attainable."

Zuraitis chimed in as well: "The music industry is multifaceted with a vast amount of opportunities for people to work within it, not just on stage! Showcasing and empowering students to pursue internships and look outside the box for career opportunities within the music business is exciting. Sharing my personal story about working from the ground up for many years helps redefine what success looks like on every level, not just at the tippy top. Personal stories motivate students to pursue a difficult but ultimately rewarding career by seeing that dreams are attainable with tenacity, networking and kindness."

The Recording Academy commends all who made GRAMMY Career Day possible — and urges you to keep checking RecordingAcademy.com for more news on events like it!

2024 GRAMMYs: Hear Kristin Chenoweth, Christopher Tin, Mama Jan Smith & More Music Industry Leaders Discuss The Importance Of GRAMMY Voting

Supporting music education is a cornerstone of the Recording Academy, and as Music In Our Schools Month approaches in March, the GRAMMY Museum announced initiatives to continue uplifting students and encouraging music career exploration.

The GRAMMY Museum launches its 3rd Annual GRAMMY In The Schools Fest from March 6-10, 2023, marking the first time the event will take place in-person in Los Angeles. The free festival will feature everything from artist performances and educational panels, to workshops featuring artists and industry professionals. Registered students can access free lesson plans and study guides, and the festival will also be streamed online for free on COLLECTION:live, the GRAMMY Museum's streaming platform. Students can register for the festival here.

Starting Feb. 27, a new online resource called The Learning Hub will become available on COLLECTION:live for free. As the GRAMMY Museum's premiere platform for music education, The Learning Hub will feature videos from former GRAMMY In The Schools Fests, Careers Through Music, and so many more sessions that will be added regularly. View the collection here.

The GRAMMY Museum will begin hosting the six-week Industry SESH program on March 13, 2023, which aims to educate adults and students about the music industry. The program will offer sessions on music production, music business, artist development, and songwriting.

Every Thursday of March 2023, the GRAMMY Museum will also host weekly workshops through a partnership with the Musician's Institute. View the schedule, which features workshops such as "Creating Ableton Live Loops and The Drum Set," "World Beat Rhythms," and "A Pop Lyric Writing Workshop."

During Music In Our Schools Month, high schoolers interested in music careers can apply for GRAMMY Camp. Held July 16-22, 2023, GRAMMY Camp allows students to apply for one of eight offered career tracks taught by music professionals. This is the first year the camp expands to seven days. Students can apply to attend GRAMMY Camp through March 31, 2023.

Applications for the Music Education Award are also open during Music In Our Schools Month. The Music Education Award honors one music teacher annually for their impact on students' lives; the recipient receives a $10,000 honorarium for themselves as well as a matching grant for their school. The deadline to nominate a teacher for next year is March 15, 2023, though teachers do not need to be nominated in order to apply. Teachers can apply for the award here before March 31, 2023. 

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