Hannah Jones/Winonan

Midwest Music Fest, or MWMF, an annual celebration of local music and community, is about to hit Winona from April 18-20, and Steve Higgins, for one, is excited.

“When you bring everyone together with music,” he said, looking at this year’s lineup of acts and venues around town, “things can happen. It’s really cool.”

Higgins is a current Winona State student, but in the future, he hopes to be a composer for independent documentary films.

However, he knows how difficult it can be to simply get a job in the music industry.

“You don’t just get a band and get an agent—it’s more complicated than that,”
So, besides studying music, Higgins is making sure he has a good understanding of business as well.

The music business program at Winona State is relatively small—about 12 to 15 students total.

However, this close-knit group of students is doing some very real and practical things with music administration right here in Winona.

Higgins himself had a big role in planning an upcoming event to take place in Acoustic Cafe starting Friday, April 19 at noon.
To complement the musical concerts and festivities of MWMF, students and committee members organized the MWMF Summit, a panel presentation from various professionals in the music industry.

Anyone and everyone is invited—whether you’re a music fan, or a business student, or just curious, the panel will have something to offer.

“It’s for anybody who wants to know anything about how things work,” Higgins said.

Best of all, it’s completely free.

The panel will feature presentations from four players in the music industry, each from a completely different side of the business.

Positions working with business and music are as varied as music itself, as represented by the scope of panelists come to present.

For those interested in music administration, Craig Grossman and David Priebe of Green Room Music Source will host a talk on the logistics of the booking, touring, artist management and more that goes into concert events like the ones festival-goers will see in town.

For those more into the craftsman scene, John Reed, a Winona State University graduate, will be giving a presentation on his own business, building and repairing string instruments.

On the subject of crafting songs rather than instruments, Tony Mendoza, an entertainment attorney, and Gary Hunter, the system director for intellectual property at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, are giving a presentation on copyright.

Finally, Jim Trouten will present on his expert advice for onstage acoustics.

Behind every kicking concert, behind every experience of being lost in music, behind every good car jam and every local music festival, there is a music business professional doing his or her job.

“Music is everywhere,” Higgins said, trying to explain. “It’s… everybody.”

Higgins recommended that absolutely everyone come and check out the panel this weekend.

Contact Hannah at [email protected]