Day 1 9.30am-4.30pm
Session 1 (Music Network & Venue Staff): Behind the Scenes - An introduction to how a venue operates. During this session you will meet various venue staff and learn about their roles, as well as having a tour of the venue.
Session 2 (Mairéad O’Reilly & Venue Staff): Taking to the Stage - This session will focus on preparing a stage plan and tech spec for your performance, and provide tips for effective sound checking. Participants will receive templates and checklists to assist them in staging their performances.
Session 3 (Music Network & Venue Staff): Prepping your Marketing & Press Kit - Tips for showcasing your work when approaching venues and providing venues with high-quality materials to promote your performance. This session will include an overview of the contents of a press kit and an introduction to creating and contributing to press releases.
Session 4 (Photographer): Photography - A photo session for each participant is included in the course fee. One slot per participant within this session or tomorrow morning’s session, to be advised in advance.
Day 2 9.30am-5.30pm
Session 5 (Photographer): Photography - A photo session for each participant is included in the course fee. One slot per participant within this session or yesterday afternoon’s session, to be advised in advance.
Session 6 (Orla Flanagan): Partnerships and Paperwork - An overview of deals and agreements between artists and venues (including invoicing and insurance), tips on planning tours and building strong partnerships with venues.
Session 7 (Liz Powell): Bio Clinic - How to write convincingly about yourself and your work. The session will include group work and discussion, and participants will receive examples and templates. Participants are invited to share examples of their own bios in advance and receive personalised feedback at the session.
Session 8 (Jess Harkin): Creating Digital Content - A guide to creating the type of digital content that will help venues promote your concert. This session will include tips for creating engaging social media posts, taking interesting photos that illustrate what you do, and a basic guide to smart phone videography and editing tools.