New Music Seminar
The New Music Seminar is a music-oriented conference and festival that originated in New York City. The event took place annually from 1980 to 1995 and then relaunched in 2009. The event's aim was to highlight up-and-coming artists, as well as to educate artists and businesses in the music industry at large. The event featured various musical performances, artist showcases, and panel discussions.
In 2012, NMS hosted the first New York Music Festival in collaboration with the New York City Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment declaration of the city's first New York Music Week. The festival took place in 17 venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
History
1980–1995
In June 1980, Tom Silverman, Mark Josephson, Joel Webber, Danny Heaps, and Scott Anderson brought 220 people together at a New York City rehearsal studio to discuss challenges in the music business. The New Music Seminar added music showcases and a festival, initially called "New York Nights" and later called "New Music Nights". These were held in various New York City clubs. The event grew in subsequent years, and the first series attracted more than 8,000 participants from 35 countries.On August 6, 1984, singer Madonna participated in the seminar.
Haoui Montaug was the panel director of the NMS at the time of his 1991 death. Following his death, the NMS inaugurated the Haoui Montag New Music Awards in his honor.
2009
In 2009, the New Music Seminar was relaunched by Tom Silverman and former New Music Seminar staffer Dave Lory.The New Music Seminar returned as a one-day event to New York City on July 21, 2009. It was held at the New York University Steinhardt's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The program consisted of a keynote address, four educational sessions, and an artists' showcase.
The New Music Seminar went to Chicago for on October 6, 2009 at the Park West. The event featured a keynote address by Michael Spiegelman of Yahoo Music and four panel discussions.
2010
New Music Seminar went to The Fonda Theater in Los Angeles on February 2, 2010. Speakers included the CMO of Pepsi, Kevin Lyman of Warp Tour, Alexandra Patsavas, Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons, Derek Sivers, and Jason Bentley.In July, the New Music Seminar was held in New York City. The event included panel discussions, presentations, mentoring sessions, and musical performances.
2011–2015
The New Music Seminar took place in Los Angeles from February 14–16, 2011, and in New York City from June 17–19, 2012. The 2012 event featured keynote speakers Bob Pittman and Sean Parker.In 2013, the event was held at the New Yorker Hotel. Music showcases from France, Spain, and Sweden were included. An A&R listening room was added.