A class of Oneonta Middle School students had the opportunity to explore careers in the music industry this month thanks to an innovative program at the State University College at Oneonta.
Three honors students in the college's music industry program worked on the program with their professor, Janet Nepkie, and middle school vocal-music director Megan Dyer.
The 12 middle school students in the OMS exploratory music program came to the college for three 45-minute sessions this month at the Fine Art Building, Dyer said.
They heard details on topics such as copyright law, music publishing and record-company personnel during presentations by college students Emily Legault, a junior from Lake Luzerne; Anna Gallen, a senior from Bel Air, Md.; and Michelle Fecio, a junior from Buffalo.
The final session took place Tuesday, with students testing their skills in a game similar to "Jeopardy" and experiencing a recording-studio session with junior Kory Mathis.
Dyer said it was "a sound educational experience" that grew from conversations she had with Nepkie earlier this year.
The seventh-graders said the sessions were worthwhile and, for some, the experience influenced their potential career paths.
"It was really fun," Ben Gault-Burgess said.
"We learned a lot about music and production." As a result, he said he would like to work in the music industry and go to concerts.
Dan Haile said he learned a lot of things during the courses. Because of this, he is thinking of being a performer or songwriter, he said.
Dan Lutz said he was planning on being an architect "" and that hasn't changed. But "I learned a lot of stuff," he said.
The presenters also found the program to be a valuable experience.
"I wish someone came into my middle school class to talk about the opportunities," Legault said. She said she hopes to find a career in music promotion or supervision.
"I thought it was a great idea," Fecio said, who hopes to get involved with music production.
"These kids got so excited learning about careers," Gallen said. "It was really cool." She said she's interested in pursuing a career discovering musical talent.
"I'm pleased with the results," Nepkie said. This outreach is an example of the "educational pipeline" being discussed as part of SUNY's new strategic plan to "increase educational access, help students get ready for college and prepare them for the working world," she said. "We would love to do it again."
