ISU Music Practicum Students

This just in from Pam Swick, who was Jessica Freeman's internship mentor: On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 9:28 AM, Pam Swick wrote: > It was truly our pleasure! Our entire staff enjoys and takes seriously the > mentoring process. Please do not hesitate to recommend us to students for > possible internship opportunties in the future. They can apply on line > and/or contact me directly. www.searscentre.com So for those of you looking for internships maybe this is an option! -Rose (thanks, Jessica, for finding this opportunity!)

Hey Everyone, You may remember that I posted blog just before the summer about my internship at Noble Fool Theatricals in St. Charles, IL. It was a great experience; my mentor Audra Sybert was a fantastic educator. She had mapped out an itinerary for me that included various projects for me execute throughout the summer. I wrote several press releases, articles, created advertisements, posters, invites, etc. I was able to refine my writing skills, while tapping into my creative side. However, before I started my internship there, I started a different internship that I was given just after finals week. When I wasn't at Pheasant Run Resort this summer, I spent my time at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. I worked in the administrative offices with the marketing team, and I also shadowed the Events Coordinaters. I was the very first intern they have had, so I was kind of a guinea pig for them. I was only given a couple of tasks to do independentally, so it was mainly observ...

As of last week, I just finished my internship with Brower Entertainment Booking Agency, an Ohio based company that books talent across the US. My internship was based solely over the internet and phone training sessions. I began by being assigned a band that I would train with. My band was Losanti, a Cincinnati based reggae, rock, funk band who will be playing a show booked by me at the Medici in Normal on Aug. 30th from 9-midnight. Sorry for the shameless plug. Anyway, I learned the process of contacting venues through a website called onlinegigs.com, which lists every available venue in a state. I began with Ohio where I had to contact each venue either by phone or e-mail to secure a booking for my band. Coincidentally, as I began my booking internship, the restaurant that I work for (the Medici) was looking to hire a booking agent. I ended up signing a contract with the restaurant and am now their full time booking agent. As I learned more about booking for a venue, I began reviewi...

Hey all, So I'm just about done with my internship with Carl Thacker, the ISU School of Music instrument repairman. I ended up snagging the internship because I know the last 3 people that he has offered the summer work to, so I talked to him about it all and he said that I got it. It took a bit of jumping through hoops to get it off the ground. Dr. Parsons is obviously new to this whole thing, and he didn't realize that the people Carl hires actually get paid by the School of Music. It took some constant reminders and pushing but it all went through. So all summer I've worked full time with Carl cleaning all the brass instruments that the school has. It's a bit tedious at times but it's definitely a lot of fun. Every horn was different and it was a little adventure to see just how dirty each horn would end up being. Carl's a lot of fun to work for, we constantly crack jokes with each other and all that good stuff. I've learned how to take apart and clean ...

At the end of July I finished my internship with Lily's Talent Agency, Inc., one of the largest talent agencies here in Chicago. Like O'Connor Casting, Lily's is cross corner from Harpo Studios, the only difference is Lily's was on the 4 th floor, and O'Connor is on the 2 nd . I worked there for 2 months and it was a great experience. The internship started very fast-paced! We learned how to answer and use the phone system, as well as the server for all computer documents. We also learned how to format headshots for all on-film and voice-over talent, as well as all comp cards for all print talent. Comp cards is short for compilation cards. These are cards that have several looks a talent can use as well as all of their measurements so casting agencies know if they match all of the criteria they are looking for. The training session wasn't long, so you had to learn quickly or else!! Luckily enough because I was hired mainly for the music division, I on...

In July I finished my internship at O'Connor Casting Company. It was SUCH a good experience, and I really enjoyed my time there. I worked three days a week for two months in the West Loop of Chicago, right across from Harpo Studios. The staff at O'Connor, while incredibly nice and helpful, did not have time to spoon feed information and directions. In my first ten minutes on my first day, a veteran intern taught me how the front desk is run, checking in actors, calling agents, organizing and stapling headshots, etc. After she explained, I was expected to run the front desk on my own, while there were two auditions going on: one a print ad for Babybel cheese, and another commercial for Sprint. After spending a couple days at the front desk, the casting associates felt I was ready go sit in an audition session. While in session, it was my responsibility to collect actors headshots, number and organize them, and document their photos that were taken during their slate. I als...