Music Victoria opens applications for live music professionals to build their skills for free

Music Victoria has opened applications for its free Live Music Professionals professional and business development program for independent promoters, venue owners, venue managers and band bookers.

Successful applicants will be matched with skilled and experienced coaches.

Last year they included publicist and manager Carolyn Logan, The Tote and Bar Open owner Jon Perring, Groovin The Moo festival booker Richard Moffat, manager and co-producer of the Hills Are Alive Festival Aidan McLaren, and Alex Zaccaria of digital marketing agency Bolster.

The scheme, to strengthen Victoria’s live music sector by fostering successful music businesses, will run from July – November.

Applications are open until April 3 here.

“Live Music Professionals was a very valuable experience for me personally and also for my business,” says Jeremy Furze, a participant last year, who runs the venues Some Velvet Morning n Clifton Hill and The Bridge in Castlemaine.

“As a result of the program we have implemented a new marketing plan for Some Velvet Morning which has helped considerably, not only in growing sales but also in professional headspace as we take on a second venue.

“I also had great fun in the process and was reminded that others often make mistakes like we do!”

Sally Mather of The Corner Group, who served as a coach last year opines, “Live Music Professionals was a great way to connect with people in different facets of the industry and it was really exciting to see the enthusiasm everyone had to learn, share and really make the most of the program.”