Practical knowledge and conversations with professionals on how to develop, present and connect one’s music work with the wider scene.
The World Music Association of Serbia (WMAS), a representative association in culture and a member of the NGO Forum at UNESCO, invites young and emerging musicians, as well as young representatives of the music industry – producers, sound engineers, organisers, promoters, emerging managers and other actors of the music scene up to the age of 30 – to apply for the free capacity-building training “Find Your Way in the Music Industry.” The training is organised in cooperation with the Serbian Music Authors’ Organisation – SOKOJ.
The training will be held as part of the project “Play It! – Strengthening Cooperation in the Music Industry,” launched by WMAS with the support of the UNESCO IFCD programme. The project was developed in response to the need for better networking among actors of the music scene in Serbia and is aimed at strengthening cooperation between musicians, producers, organisers, media, institutions and other professionals in the field of music.
In addition to research activities and the development of an online platform, the project includes educational programmes and workshops intended to professionally empower music industry actors, with a special focus on young participants. The training is intended for those who wish to better understand how the contemporary music sector functions, whom to approach at different stages of professional development, and how to present their work, performances, releases and ideas more clearly.
The training will bring together 10 to 12 young and emerging musicians and young representatives of the music sector, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experience and strengthening cooperation.
Date and venue:
Sunday, 31 May, Josip Slavenski Legacy, Belgrade, Trg Nikole Pašića 1, 5th floor.
Due to the limited number of places, prior registration is required. Applications should be sent by email to: mics.rs.office@gmail.com, no later than 29 May.
The application should include: full name, year of birth, city, brief information about musical or professional experience, and contact phone number.
Training Programme
10:00–10:10
Presentation of the Play It project
Maša Vukanović (WMAS)
10:10–10:35
Who is Who in the Functioning of the Music Industry?
Branka Glavonjić (BUNT)
This presentation will introduce participants to the key actors and relationships in the contemporary music industry, from authors, performers and managers to organisers, media, publishers, institutions and platforms. Special emphasis will be placed on how young musicians can understand the “map” of the music sector, whom to approach at different stages of their career, and how to identify opportunities for cooperation, promotion and professional development.
10:35–11:35
How Much Does One Stream Cost?
Srećko Barbarić (SOKOJ)
The lecture and discussion will provide participants with a clear insight into how payments from digital platforms, streaming services and new media work, as well as how authors’ royalties are generated and distributed in the contemporary digital environment. Participants will have the opportunity to learn first-hand which legal and operational mechanisms affect the position of authors and musicians today.
11:35–12:00
Coffee break
12:00–12:45
Fair Practices and Contractual Relations in the Music Industry
Bojan Đorđević (Ring Ring)
This presentation will introduce participants to the basic principles of fair and professional relations in the music industry, with particular focus on agreements between musicians, organisers, managers, producers and other actors of the scene. Through practical examples, the session will address what needs to be clearly defined before a performance, collaboration or release, how to set realistic expectations, and why transparency, respect for agreements and a basic understanding of contractual relations are important for long-term professional development.
12:45–13:35
Lunch break
13:35–14:15
From Rehearsal to Performance to Release — and Back Again
Jovan Matić (Del Arno Band)
Drawing on the practical experience of a musician and many years of work on the scene, this presentation will follow the journey of a band or performer, from the first rehearsals and developing a repertoire, through preparing performances and communicating with organisers, to recording, releasing and promoting music. The topic is conceived as a conversation about the real steps, challenges and decisions that accompany the development of a music project, with useful advice for young musicians on how to build their work in a sustainable and professional way.
14:15–14:35
Music Journalism and Visibility on the Scene
Marija Vitas (MICS)
This presentation will address the role of music journalism, media and the professional public in presenting artists and their work. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how visibility on the scene is built, what makes a good announcement, interview or media story, and how young musicians can communicate their identity, repertoire, performances and releases more clearly to the media, audiences and the professional community.
14:35–15:00
Coffee break
15:00–16:00
Practical Workshop – How to Create an Effective Band Presentation
16:00–16:30
Final discussion, participants’ questions and summary of impressions
The lectures will be recorded and made available on the project website. The training is an opportunity for young musicians and young music industry actors to gain practical knowledge, ask questions to professionals from different fields, and better understand how to present and develop their work and connect it with the wider music scene.
