Introduction
Showcase Series, funded by the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business in Nashville, TN, is designed to give students real-world training in all aspects of concert production, to showcase Belmont University student talent, and to build a sense of community between Belmont students and the music industry.
Each school year, student leaders are responsible for planning, organizing, and running five arena showcases, one outdoor festival-style concert, and four writers' nights in a professional manner that highlights the musical and technical talents Belmont students have to offer. Students gain experience in the areas of team leadership, stage design, lighting design, artist management, production management, video production, live sound, publicity, promotion, art/brand design, performance, and more.
History
For decades, Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business has been developing talent on stage and behind-the-scenes through the Showcase Series. Through the years, our showcases have been performed outside on the campus grounds, in the historic Neely Dining Hall, Massey Performing Arts Center, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Curb Event Center. Student leadership positions have grown from a few logistics positions (coordinating schedules and artists) to over 100 students involved in the show productions. Current students are on stage performing, mixing audio, programming lights, switching/shooting video, and directing the vision of the show.
Over the years, Showcase Series has had the privilege of partnering with some of the best people and companies in the industry in order to make sure students are learning throughout the process and putting on world-class events. In the realm of production, our program has been strongly supported by Bandit Lites, Clair Global, Media Visions, Spectrum Sound, Morris, Sound Image, Chris Lisle Lighting Design, Accurate Staging, Moo Creative, Elite Multimedia, IMAG, Blackhawk Audio, Orange Thread, Gary Musick Productions, and many more. As a learning process for our performers throughout each showcase application process, we've also had the privilege of bringing in industry judges from throughout the entertainment industry including professionals from CAA, ASCAP, BMI, WME, Big Machine Label Group, Creative Nation, Sony Nashville, Atlantic Records, and The Voice just to name a few.
Lastly, we've had the pleasure of watching young showcase performers go on to successful careers. A few of our artist "showcase alums" are Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Judah & the Lion, COIN, Kopecky, Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line), Clare Dunn, Steve Moakler, Greg Bates, Wilder, Rayvon Owen, and Nicolle Galyon. Some of our showcase students behind-the-scenes have gone on to tour professionally, working for extremely gifted talent like Miranda Lambert, Maroon 5, Tom Petty, Vince Gill, One Republic, U2, Sting, Oprah, Sara Bareilles, Lady Antebellum, The Civil Wars, Nicki Minaj, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Jeremy Camp, Little Big Town, Paul McCartney, and many many more.