Music Sector Innovation

Status: Identifying the most promising strategies and opportunities for developing Detroit's music sector

This group convened in May 2008 as a result of a Music Scan of Detroit and other key music cities, conducted by Innovation Network for Communities, Inc. The Scan concluded that there is a rich but underdeveloped music sector in Detroit, that much of the public and philanthropic funding supports established institutions, and music performances and programs but not entrepreneurial development; and there are oppportunities for economic and social innovation in the sector. The Music Ssector Group members have worked over a series of three large group meetings and a dozen smaller group sessions to build upon the scan, develop a vision and a robust network, and propose several very promising opportunities to build a stronger music industry in Detroit.

The Process

The group of 20-plus people and organizations will accomplish its purpose by

• Building relationships and transactions among its members
• Building upon the scan that was completed
• Developing and implementing a city-wide strategy that will integrate development of the music sector with economic opportunity for Detroit

The Vision

The people of Detroit will recognize, value, and promote Detroit's rich music sector. Increased public and private investment in the sector will pay big dividends for the children, families, and communities in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Goal 1: Grow Music Businesses

We have identified a short-term project and a longer term strategy. The short-term project is the creation of a Music Leadership Conference. The longer-term strategy is the development of youth music in Detroit.

Conference Project

A Strategy Team will be formed from our group with the task of organizing the conference. This will be a working conference, held over 2-3 days in Detroit, bringing together local performers and engineering/production professionals for workshops, networking events and showcases. The organizers will work to attract a broad range of agents, representatives, recording labels, and dealmakers from around the country and the world for an annual event. The focus is on preparing local music professionals to better understand the business and business climate of the music industry, to connect these professionals to world-class business taken in Detroit and to build deal-flow around the conference and beyond.

Develop Youth Music

The strategy includes:

• Increasing youth participation in music performance and production
• Connecting youth to the music industry career opportunities (publishing, performing, teaching, production)
• Conducting a weekend music boot camp for high school and college age youth

Goal 2: Market the Music Sector

Nearly all the world knows the Detroit music brand better than Detroiters do. Retail music stores in Europe have entire bins labeled "Detroit". More can be done in the greater Detroit region to increase awareness of Detroit's diverse music culture as an economic driver. A longer range strategy is to create a Music Scene and Experience that could include performance venus, rehearsal/choreographcy space, recording studio, business services and even low-income housing.

To become involved in any of these groups, contact our Network Manager, John Heiss

Participants

• Tabitha Goodner, Second Ebenezer Church
• Erek Walter House4House
• Cornelius Harris, Submerged Productions and Alter Ego Management
• Augustus Hill, Brazile Dennard Chorale
• Jonas Berzanskis, Silver Tortoise Sound Lab
• Denise Davis, Detroit School of Arts
• Njia Kai, Detroit Festival of the Arts
• Deborah Smith Polard, Gospel Festival and University of Michigan
• Rhonda Buckley, Michigan State University
• Pamela Wise, Youthville
• Howard Hertz, Hertz and Schram
• S. Gary Spicer, Counselor
• Donna Harris, Grammy's in Schools and Agent
• Vince Paul, Music Hall and Jazz Cafe
• Maureen Kearns, Roaring Mouse Productions
• Lawrence Jackson, NFF
• John Van Camp, Southwest Solutions
• Ismael Duran, COMPAS School
• Rick Sperling, Mosaic Youth Theater
• Charlene Turner Johnson
• John Heiss