Midwest Rhythm Summit is back at Terra State
The Midwest Rhythm Summit is returning to Terra State Community College, April 8 – 9. The two-day event is the creation of Terra State’s Director of Music Mike Czeczele and Bass Gear Magazine’s Editor in Chief Tom Bowlus. The Summit will feature two full days of master classes given by some of the top educators in the country and will also include two evening concerts. Centered on today’s music industry, the Summit incorporates business, technology, performance and other pertinent topics into an education-based musical experience.
“The Midwest Rhythm Summit is an incredible opportunity to meet the people shaping the music industry today,” says Czeczele. “This Summit was created to offer great learning opportunities and experiences to anyone with an interest in music. This year, I am excited we are continuing to support the education needs of our community by providing free clinics upon registration for both high school and college students. Our Saturday concert will be headlined by former American Idol runner-up contestant Crystal Bowersox, Dig Infinity and Stranger Than Fiction. You cannot miss it!”
Some of the presenting clinicians include:
- Justine Blazer is a producer, singer, songwriter, composer and recording artist. Blazer has earned seven number-one singles on various independent charts.
- Crystal Bowersox is a singer, songwriter and actress who was the runner-up on the ninth season of American Idol.
- Rick Dejonge is a composer and conductor for film music has worked on several films and with great composers such as Christopher Young, David Spear, Jack Smalley and Pete Anthon. As an orchestrator, Dejonge worked with composers on television promos, including shows like “Beautiful People,” “Lost,” “The West Wing” and “CSI Miami.” He is also a conductor for his own scores at Paramount Studios, Fox Studios and Firehouse Studios in Pasadena, California.
- JB Eckl is a musician, composer, vocalist and producer who has worked alongside War, Santana and Ozomatli. Eckl is also a member of Dig Infinity.
- Sean Fairchild, a 6-string bassist wielding singer/songwriter, Bass Gear Magazine staff reviewer and session collaborator. Fairchild is an Emmy Awarded artist.
- Paul Gonzalez is a musician, studio musician and composer. He has performed, toured or recorded with artists including The Rembrandts, Chaka Khan, Nelly Furtado, Sheila E, Wynonna Judd and Gloria Estefan. Paul has also composed many TV commercials and show cues, including working for Univision, CSI and CSI Miami.
- Doug Johns is a bassist, composer, performer, staff writer and adventurer.
- Tom Lees is an attorney who practices patent, trademark and copyright law. He has represented clients from entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies.
- Chanda Lynn launched her music career as an artist by putting her poems to music while tallying tens of millions of streams from her music and videos across all social media platforms.
- John Montalbano is a songwriter, tv/film composer and a frontman-bass player for My World. He has played and/or recorded with legends such as Public Enemy, DMC, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Gene Cornish.
- Allen Salmon is a professional songwriter and music producer. Salmon’s music has been a part of TV shows, commercials and movies. As a producer, Allen has worked on major label releases with Warner Brothers, EMI and Universal.
- Sunni Brandon is a songwriter, composer and live musician in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated from Terra State with a degree in Music Technology and Recording Arts.
- Pancho Tomaselli is a musician, songwriter and bassist. He has worked alongside War, Tower of Power, Rex Brown, Eric Burdon, Dos Lobos, Tricky and Nelly Furtado.
- Jerimae Yoder is a music manager currently employed by RSK Management in Nashville, Tennessee. Spending his early years in the music industry as a touring artist resulted in a record deal; his experiences manifested into a passion for developing new talent.
The nightly concerts scheduled are:
Friday, April 8
My World
The Together Band
Saturday, April 9
Crystal Bowersox
Dig Infinity
Fremont’s own Stranger Than Fiction
Admission to the Midwest Rhythm Summit is very affordable. Prices are:
Clinics
Non-students – Pre-sale $15/day or $30 for both days; Day of event $20/day or $40
for both day
High School and college students admitted free with valid ID, registration required
Concerts
Friday night concert admission for students and non-students – Pre-sale $15; Day of
event $20
Saturday night concert admission for students and non-students – Pre-sale $20; Day
of event $25
Summit Package (Best Value) for non-students
All concerts and clinics – Pre-sale only $50
Sponsorships
There are still sponsorship slots available for the Summit. Sponsorships include having your company’s name and logo appear in printed material and on-stage banners. To make a donation or be a sponsor, please visit the Midwest Rhythm Summit website at www.midwestrhythmsummit.com and follow the sponsor link. For questions, please contact Mike Czeczele at 419.559.2153 or email mczeczele01@terra.edu.
To register, purchase tickets or learn more, visit the Midwest Rhythm Summit website at www.midwestrhythmsummit.com.
“The Summit is an opportunity for attendees to meet and talk with performing artists, music educators, sound technicians and recording producers. The goal is to provide amazing educational experiences to anyone interested in a career in music,” said Czeczele.