Music Association holds AGM in Rocky Harbour
11/24/2003 12:11:04 PM
November 24, 2003 - The Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MIANL) held its AGM Conference and Awards Show during the November 7-9 weekend. For the first time in the 11-year history of the awards, the event was held in Rocky Harbour on the west coast of the island.
The weekend was a great success, says MIANL Executive Director Denis Parker, and included an encouraging address from government at the association’s traditional industry luncheon.
“A major highlight was the passionate keynote address from the Honourable Minister of State for ACOA, Gerry Byrne,” says Parker.
“He not only recognized the growth of the music industry in the province but pledged continued support and indicated a willingness to establish the Music Development Corporation.”
Byrne also announced that ACOA will provide the MIANL with $150,000 of funding over the next three years.
College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Music Industry and Performance (MIP) and Recording Arts (RA) programs are closely linked with the MIANL, and up to 60 students from these programs attend the event each year. The college sponsors the industry luncheon as part of its partnership with the association, and contributes greatly, says Parker.
“The partnership between CNA and the MIANL is an important building block for the future of Newfoundland & Labrador’s music industry."
Cyril Organ is Associate District Administrator for Bay St. George campus. He attended the conference and was thrilled that CNA could be involved in such a vital event again this year.
“There were several highlights from the college’s point of view,” says Organ.
“Our students had a great time and learned a lot from networking at the conference; we had our second instructor named Music Educator of the Year in as many years (Neil Bishop, Recording Arts instructor, won this year and Wade Pinhorn, Music Industry and Performance instructor, was last year’s recipient); and when our MIP instructor Wade Pinhorn won a guitar at this year’s event, he donated it to Gros Morne Academy – a real class act.”
In addition to that, says Organ, a student from each of the RA and MIP programs won a Steel Communications scholarship (administered through the MIANL) for $1,000 each.
“Danielle Boone, second-year Music Industry and Performance student, and Jeremy Strickland, second-year Recording Arts student, each received the award for attaining the highest academic standard in their respective programs.”
The location for next year’s AGM has not yet been chosen, but it is already a source of excitement, says Organ.
“College of the North Atlantic will continue to be a strong supporter of the MIANL and we look forward to next year!”
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