Flat Hat Productions presents Youth Music Industry Workshops featuring the Rafael Tranquilino Band, 2014 Washington Blues Society International Blues Challenge Finals winner, and Jim McLaughlin, award-winning harmonica plaeer on Oct. 11 at Meadowdale High School.

The workshops will be from noon-4 p.m. and are open to youth ages 14-19. Participants should bring their instruments. Piano/keyboard, cables, and amplifiers will be provided.

The purpose of these workshops is to show young musicians (including vocalists) how to use the knowledge that they already have, and give them practical application tools to be successful in the real world music industry.

Following the workshops will be an evening concert The evening concert held in two parts. The first half will be a youth jam run by The Rafael Tranquilino Band. If you purchase a ticket to the Industry workshops it qualifies you to participate in the youth jam. Come and show your parents, friends and family what you have learned. Play a real stage with a real audience.

After a brief intermission, the workshop instructors, ‘The Rafael Tranquilino Band’ will perform. The evening concert begins at 6 p.m. in the Meadowdale High School Great Hall. Tickets ($5 student, $10 adult, $20 family) will be sold at the door.

The workshops topics are:

1. The Business: Music Industry 101, Professionalism

How to navigate the world of the giant music industry machine and make good decisions from the beginning of your career.

– Presentation by Leah Tussing,Co-Owner of Flat Hat Productions, Rafael Tranquilino Band Manager, professional vocalist performance and studio

2. The Studio: Studio Etiquette and Recording

What to expect in your first studio experience. Tips and tricks to feel confident working with other more experienced industry professionals. How to be successful in a very high pressure environment.

– Presentation by Chris Tussing, Co-Owner of Flat Hat Productions, Producer, professional percussionist/drummer

3. Knowing Your Job: Individual Purpose Instruction on stage and real world application
– Split into groups by jobs

Understanding what your real job on stage is and show you how to excel in that role. Understanding the responsibilities and expectations of your job will allow you to take your instrument (including voice) and plug it into any situation comfortably. The students will be divided into these four groups:

Lead: Taught by Rafael Tranquilino
Vocal: Taught by Leah Tussing
Bass: Taught by Farko Dosumov
Percussion/Drums: Taught by Ivan Gunderson

Specifics are left up to the discretion of the individuals teaching. Each player has a unique background and valuable experience to draw from.

4. The Stage: Understanding how your job fits into the context of the whole. Jam etiquette, leading, following, communication

With instruments in hand you will get the opportunity to try everything you have learned throughout the day. Practicing all the tools you have been given with the instructors and the other students. There willl be backline (basic stag- drums, amps, mics) set up so that your ‘on stage’ practice will feel authentic. You will learn how to communicate with the other players – each taking turns calling the shots and then following. You will also learn how a jam is run and how to participate in one

Tickets are $30 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/844430