November found the Texas Music Office continuing the office's community outreach and economic development efforts.
On November 18, TMO Director Brendon Anthony met with members of the City of Arlington, Hear Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Chamber's Economic Development Division, discussing ways agencies can work together on shared economic development goals.
After Dallas and Arlington economic development meetings, Anthony attended Dallas Women In Music's #BeatsByHer, a showcase featuring up and coming Dallas area artists.
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Meanwhile TMO Music Program Manager Stephen Ray presented the Tejano Music Awards with a proclamation from Governor Greg Abbott celebrating their 36th annual awards ceremony, during the live broadcast of their awards in San Antonio.
November also found TMO speaking with Texas middle school and high school students about potential careers in the music industry in both Dallas, and in East Austin, fostering the next generation of Texas music industry professionals.
On Thursday, Nov. 17, Anthony attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts' Career Days. On the previous day, Wed Nov 16, TMO Marketing Coordinator Marc Fort spoke about careers in the music industry at ReRoute Production's 4th annual Saul Paul's Career Expo.
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Fort also joined Austin Mayor Steve Adler on Nov. 17, speaking as a part of a panel discussion on economic development opportunities for musicians and event promoters - and the economic power of international collaboration - during a Swedish/American co-produced event named The Great Listening. |
 US State Dept Seeks Artists for International Touring
"We are excited to announce that applications are now online for the 2017-2018 American Music Abroad (AMA) Tour Season, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Association of American Voices," writes Executive Director of American Voices, John Ferguson.
"The AMA program is designed to foster communication and people-to-people connection around the world through month-long tours by American bands in countries with little or no access to live American musical performances and expertise," said Ferguson.
AMA is seeking outstanding ensembles of 3-5 members that demonstrate musical talent, in addition to strong community outreach, educational programming and cultural diplomacy skills that can be scaled and tailored to fit any type of international audience. "We welcome any traditionally American musical genre; hip hop, rock & roll, indie, Latin, R&B, jazz, blues, country, Broadway, gospel, Native American, soul and more," Ferguson continued.
Additional criteria and a helpful FAQ can be found below:
Application - http://amvoices.org/ama/apply/application/
Criteria - http://amvoices.org/ama/apply/criteria/
FAQ - http://amvoices.org/ama/apply/faqs/
 Each selected ensemble member receives an honorarium for the month-long tour, as well as all lodging, transportation and per diem expenses.
Applications for the 2017 - 2018 tour season close on January 27, 2017, and ten bands will be selected to go on month long tours between September 2017 and May 2018.
American Music Abroad alumni join a diverse and talented group of cultural ambassadors dating back to the program's origins in the 1950s which includes Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Texas Music's own Gina Chavez, and many more! Alumni are also routinely featured in news outlets worldwide and have the opportunity to connect with new fans around the globe.
Questions about the program or the application process? Visit americanvoices.org to learn more, and/or email American Voices at ama@americanvoices.org should you have any questions.
Applications must be received by January 27, 2017!
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TEXAS MUSIC License Plates Promotion Retains Artists Star Power
With the help of many different Texas artists, celebrities, music businesses, and TMO friends and community partners like yourself, sales for the revamped specialty license plate program - benefiting grants for Texas school children and community music programs - continue to grow since the new plate's release.
$22 out of the $30 fee goes directly toward grants for traditionally underserved Texas school children to receive music lessons, music instruments, and toward community music programs sponsored by 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.
You can purchase a license plate from the Texas DMV here: goo.gl/pLpwgV.
And nonprofit organizations may apply for a license plate grant to fund the purchase of music lessons and/or music instruments via the Office of the Governor's eGrants online application. Grant applications may only be completed online via eGrants.
Texas artists from a variety of genres continue to help us spread the word about the TEXAS MUSIC license plate grant program:
 Day For Night Returns, December 16-18
Houston's cutting edge music fest moves to the old Barbara Jordan Post Office for its sophomore session, featuring more than 40 Texas Music artists, bands, & DJs.
Started in 2015, Day For Night is a visually immersive art and music festival that explores light, space, and sound, transforming the festival landscape by combining new media art and tons of Texas musicians to create new sensory experiences. Day For Night will take place at the historic Barbara Jordan Post Office (401 Franklin Street), a 1.5 million square foot indoor-outdoor space.
The 2016 Day For Night music line-up includes headliners Aphex Twin, Ariel Pink, Banks, Blood Orange, Texas punk/art rock legends Butthole Surfers, Little Dragon, Jesus and Mary Chain, Squarepusher, Thundercat, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Mykki Blanco, and SOPHIE.
In addition to the Surfers, Texas Music artists performing at Day For Night include SURVIVE, Blood Orange, Z-Ro, Lil' Flip, Slim Thug, Bun B, Mike Jones, Devin the Dude, Paul Wall, Lil' Keke, Yungta, Big T, E.S.G., J Dawg, Lil' O, Swisha House Click, DJ DMD, DJ Michael Watts, Light Wheel, Fat Tony, Futurelix, From Beyond, Josh Dupont, Division, Kult Dizney, Splendid Emblem, Pfaff, Maramuresh, MNYNMS, Tee Vee, -Us., Limb + Eric Todd, Night Drive, Vacation Eyes, Buoyant, Spirit, Christine Renee, Daed, Wild Moccasins, and more!
Curated by Day For Night co-founder Alex Czetwertynski, the Day For Night visual art exhibition program is a unique platform for artists to push the boundaries of their practice and create new sensory experiences for festival goers.
“Our intention is to bring together talents that fearlessly cross over multiple fields and blur the lines between media. From our more established artists, such as UVA and Bjork digital, who are both presenting works never seen before in the US, to our youngest artist, the twenty-year-old Ezra Miller, we want our audience to experience art at a scale that is almost impossible to see elsewhere, and in a grouping that would be hard to pull off in more traditional environments,” Czetwertynsk said.
Tickets available here.
Saturday, December 17, 2016 – 2PM to 2AM
Sunday, December 18, 2016 – 2PM to 2AM
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