What’s the reason for this broad approach to musical training? In a word, change. Minneapolis has always established itself as a microcosm of the larger music industry although it is music-intensive. There was a time when jobs related to the industry were very specialized – sound engineering, advertising, show management, to name a few. But this set-up took a beating with the revolution of online media which resulted from the onslaught of pirated music and digital downloading. Thus, jobs today are no longer that diverse.

That being said, it can be noted that many music artists at present need to fulfill these different roles themselves. For instance, a singer needs to know the fundamentals in advertising, sound engineering, business management and troubleshooting as well. There’s always the necessity to wear different hats even if the artist has a contract with a specific label. Currently, many music businesses prefer a smaller group of people with a wider range of talents as compared to a gigantic group with special skills. This means that even if you are not a performer, you will still probably need to have quite a few tricks stored up your sleeves.

Fortunately, Minneapolis music schools have compensated, and other schools are beginning to follow their lead. Such is most evident in what’s now known as the Musicians Technical Training Center, formerly called McNally Smith. Programs from Music Tech include classes on performance, recording and the business side of the industry – emphasizing on how these music skills can be applied. The MacPhail Center for Music is known for its more classic approach and works with kids and adults to develop musical talent, teach music therapy, and hold ensembles. Of course, there is the IPR that teaches a combination of musical theory, music tech, and multimedia production – its emphasis is on the entertainment and production side of the music industry.

Don’t forget that there are also larger institutions, like the University of Minnesota, which offers several different degrees in music, including coaching, electronic music, and conducting. Keep in mind, Minneapolis music schools hold enough choices that you can still have options even in today’s competitive market. Minneapolis Music Schools from the Recording Connection offer one-on-one music recording and producing training in real recording studios.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Music Schools – Exploring Musical Training and Education Opportunities in the Twin Cities Area

If you really want to get an audio engineering or related degree, Minneapolis can offer you several college options. Among the most prominent –for radio engineering, at least–is Brown College, which boasts a radio engineering degree focused specifically on the sound systems used to broadcast radio waves.

The Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) is yet another choice for you particularly if you want to broaden your options. The IPR offers two different associate degrees, one in music and entertainment and another in audio production and engineering, and both offer a broad look at various types of media and how they work in today’s industries. Similarly, the Minneapolis Media Institute offers a program in recording and music technology which leads to an applied science degree. The classes are unique because they also include subjects on the music business, post production process and even free personal time in the studio.

For a more musically concentrated audio focus, the Mcnally Smith College of Music offers an audio engineering music as well. Although Mcnally Smith is concentrated on music performance and talent, their engineering programs are highly acclaimed, and the college sees a high volume of traffic through its recording and production studios Among the things that can be learned in the program are the use of Digidesign and ProTools; some training in several MIDI components is also obtained.

You could also try attending the Globe University, Minnesota School of Business if you’re more interested in acquiring the business acumen of audio engineering. They specialize in training for audio and MIDI production, from a business-oriented angle.

Of course, use the internet as well; look up for online classes. For instance, you can visit recordingschool.com if you want to be acquainted with the latest in local news, education opportunities as well as career info. Be sure to refer to audio engineering organizations, too, such as the Audio Engineering Society and related institutions designed to keep interested parties up on the latest news. You see, there’s definitely a lot of Minneapolis audio engineering school options out there; with this, you’ll certainly find something that fits your needs. Minneapolis Audio Engineering School from the Recording Connection offer one-on-one music recording and producing training in real recording studios.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Your Different Audio Engineering School Options

With luminaries past and present on the Guthrie Theatre stage that include Jessica Tandy (Fried Green Tomatoes, Driving Miss Daisy), her husband Hume Cronyn (Cocoon) whom she met at the Guthrie and T.R. Knight (George on Grey’s Anatomy) it’s not hard to understand the culture that is Minneapolis. Wherever there’s a heathy arts community it seems like a thriving GLBT community is only a heartbeat away.

Open minded, vibrant, friendly, safe and forward thinking. However you describe Minneapolis it is an exciting new destination for the gay tourist. With the largest percentage of GLBT population of any city in the United States outside of San Francisco it’s not surprising that a gay-friendly welcome is guaranteed in this mid-western metropolis.

The Minneapolis cultural landscape is currently experiencing an arts explosion with almost a half billion dollars being spent recently on new and upgraded infrastructure. With the new Public Library building, the stunning new Guthrie Theater, a new expansion to the Walker Art Center and a new wing at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and more to come in the next few years, this city is a rare treat for cultural aficionados or anyone with curiosity.

Three openly gay men who sit on the City Council and an openly gay Senator have enabled the existence of some of the most progressive same-sex legislation anywhere to be found in Bush country. Although there is no actual gay village it is abundantly clear that the local GLBT community is fully integrated in this cosmopolitan gem of the American mid-west.

Anything and everything you might be searching for on your gay vacation is available in Minneapolis. A vibrant GLBT community, fabulous food, great accommodations, lively nightlife and culture beyond imagination are waiting for you to experience and enjoy.

With the new trend around the world toward boutique hotels not surprisingly Minneapolis is ready and able to offer this type of lodging for the ultimate holiday experience.

The new Chambers Hotel opened in September of this year to great anticipation as a boutique design hotel featuring a multi-million dollar contemporary and edgy art collection of original works from around the world. An intimate, deluxe service, high design, luxury complex with sixty rooms, an open-air courtyard, lobby bar, rooftop lounge and Chambers Kitchen restaurant, this can only be described as an incomparable experience. For art lovers who’ve ever felt they didn’t want to leave a gallery when the doors closed, then the Chambers is like sleeping overnight in that gallery. Whether or not you consider yourself an art lover, the stunning design will leave you breathless. Be sure to check out the fire escape mural-a unique work of art unto itself. Add to this experience the luxurious rooms and friendly, efficient staff and this will prove to be a holiday or honeymoon experience to remember.

The larger twenty-one story Graves 601 Hotel launched in August of this year adding another new landmark to the hotel scene in Minneapolis. Featuring an environment rich in design, modern art and state-of-the-art technology it is located in the centre of town close to shopping, businesses and the Guthrie Theatre. Each room includes a wall mounted fourty-two inch plasma screen televison, two ambient light moods, a wireless digital keyboard for internet access, an edge-lit etched glass headboard depicting one of four Minneapolis scenes, a vast library of movie and music selections for download digitally and a top of the line mattress for a decadent night’s sleep. In addition you will experience incomparable bathroom elegance which is out of this world for a truly pampered stay in this new brand of hotel.

For a more traditional hotel experience the Marriott City Center offers full amenities in the heart of downtown just a short walk to all that Minneapolis has to offer. Connected to all of downtown by the enclosed Skyways and near the theatres and nightlife this is a location worthy of consideration for your stay. A Sunday breakfast in bed with champagne and orange juice in the newly renovated rooms will help your recovery from the previous night’s frivolity and set the tone to explore all that is offered in the heart of this city.

Sparkling lakes, inviting trails and green spaces beautify this landscape where every resident lives within six blocks of a park or open space. It’s possible to bike, hike, pedal or paddle all within the limits of downtown.

The mighty Mississippi river courses through the heart of Minneapolis providing spectacular river-walks and skyline views of this urban playground. The city’s history revolves around this river and today the local residents and visitors enjoy the historic landmarks along the river banks.

The historic Mississippi Riverfront district has transitioned from industrial to recreational land delighting outdoor enthusiasts with parks, picnic areas, walking trails, landmarks such as the Pillsbury Bakery and the only stone railroad bridge to cross the Mississippi. This history-rich neighborhood is a perfect afternoon retreat with restaurants, patios and shops for a complete escape from the nearby city across the river. You can experience a Segway magical history tour which is as close to a magic carpet ride as you are ever likely to get. If you’ve never ridden a Segway then you are in for a unique experience and full training is provided before you head out to glide along the riverside trails and pathways.

Returning to the downtown side of the river bank you can visit the Mill City Museum which is the latest addition to Minnesota’s statewide network of historic sites. From 1880 to 1930 Minneapolis was considered the “Flour Milling Capital of the World” and this museum rises eight stories from the ground in the original ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark. The elevator ride to the rooftop observation deck culminates in a spectacular view of the Mississippi River valley and downtown Minneapolis. In the museum’s theatre a twenty minute video provides an excellent fast-paced history of the region which will make you feel like an expert local historian. If that’s not enough for a trip back in time then the aroma of freshly baked bread will transport you to the past.

When the past comes together with the present and looks to the future there can be no better example than the historic Guthrie Theater. Back in 1960 an eager invitation from Minneapolis community leaders brought internationally acclaimed director Sir Tyrone Guthrie to the city to consider it as a possible home for his new theatre. In 1963 the original Guthrie Theater debuted with a modern-dress production of Hamlet on a unique thrust stage. Over forty years later the spectacular new multi-million dollar Guthrie Theater complex opened in June of this year. This new performing arts centre with three stages remains true to the original concept with another thrust stage in an 1100 seat auditorium and the additions of a 700 seat proscenium and a 250 seat studio theatre. However, French architect Jean Nouvel has created an entire entertainment structure with restaurants, bars, a view of the Mississippi and an awe inspiring atmosphere worthy of some of the finest performances by actors today and tomorrow. This bold venture is certain to ensure that the prolific Minneapolis theatre community, which is also the soul of this city, will continue to aspire to greater heights now and in the future as this theatre’s tradition deserves. A visit to this performing arts centre and a night at the theater will be the highlight of your visit to Minneapolis-guaranteed.

Dining in Minneapolis will be an adventure and will involve some very tough decisions. Wolfgang Puck’s 20.21 at the Walker Art Center versus Cue at the Guthrie Theater? No choice you have to try them both! A really special place for breakfast is Hell’s Kitchen, so that’s an easy decision and a truly unique experience. Even if you’re not staying at the Chambers Hotel you’ll want to experience a multi-course dinner created by Chef Jean-Gorges at the Chambers Kitchen. An old police station is the setting for a dinner perfectly prepared by chef and owner Stewart Woodman at Five Restaurant and Lounge. Wait for the surprise of a “Boys in Blue” special dessert and when you go to the washroom be sure they don’t throw away the “jail” key . At Wild Roast Café you can expect a warm welcome from owners and partners Dean and Tom at their coffee-house where the 1903 fireplace is the centerpiece and their great light fare is a true culinary delight to complement the relaxing at-home atmosphere. And of course there’s always dinner on a Mississippi paddle boat night tour for a truly unique dining experience with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Halfway between New York and Los Angeles but all the way out of the closet Minneapolis offers unparalleled nightlife for the energetic gay traveler. After everything this cultural city has to offer during the daylight and twilight hours those with incredible stamina can party into the wee small hours at approximately fifteen gay or gay-friendly bars, clubs and pubs. There’s somewhere to drink and dance every night of the week and it’s no wonder the locals are always out and about.

For those who enjoy shopping there are several neighbourhoods close to downtown with boutiques and community style shops. For a retail adventure The Mall of America is a must with over 520 stores, an amusement park and aquarium. With no sales tax on clothes this a perfect time to expand your wardrobe.

One of the best and most practical amenities of this city is Metro Transit which includes light rail transit and buses. For just two dollars and fifty cents you can ride in comfort from your airport terminal to the heart of downtown and many places in between. You can save that expensive airport transfer money common to most cities and spend it on fun.

The enthralling culture and soul of this city is only due to the incredible people that call Minneapolis home. The city’s biggest asset is the warmth of its citizens. Everyone from bell-hops to waiters, the directors of museums and galleries, actors and people on the street give forth a gay-friendly greeting. It’s easy to understand the pride in their city, the pride for their community but their welcome goes beyond that of any other equally proud cosmopolitan city.

Look out Big Apple and Broadway there’s a new Mary throwing her hat into the ring!

By Roy Heale
Article Source: Minneapolis – Northern Mississippi Soul

See more travel stories by Roy Heale at http://www.royheale.blogspot.com.

It is no surprise that a city so focused on industry should have been so fast to leap on radio technology and use it to its fullest extent. The initial official, commercial radio station was constructed by the Cutting and Washington Radio Corporation in 1922 and was rated at 500 watts. On Labor Day, broadcasts begun under the moniker WLAG, and by year end, nine radio stations were now sending broadcasts: WBAD of the Minneapolis Journal, WAAL of the Minneapolis Morning Tribune, and WBAH from the Dayton Company. Eventually WCCO became one of the most important stations in the area and by 1929 it was made a clear channel station and raised in power.

Today, Minneapolis is much more than a flour and timber industry town, and its radio stations have went through constant development to become what they are now. The city has an attraction to a broad range of entrepreneurs and adventurers alike, and the narrow channels have now been replaced by such a energetic environment of different stations, from sports to music to news. This is a promising place for radio DJs and technicians as there is truly something for everyone when it comes to radios that are in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis radio schools range from the common to the extraordinary, and a you can profit from the experience of one or all of them, depending on where your interests are. After all, there are a lot of different jobs in the radio industry now. Not everyone has to be a DJ–there are radio engineers, production developers, and many other openings that help make radio be employed. Especially for the technical jobs, a lot of these openings do much better with college courses and training. In Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota has a Mass Communications degree that was designed to offer the framework necessary so one can be employed in the radio industry. One of the more important parts of the music scene is the Radio K program from the university, which was intended to promote music developed independently, and has proven to be one of the most prosperous projects of the university. Radio K is student led and features both in-studio performances from local bands and innovative music from groups like the Arctic Monkeys and Vampire Weekend.

Brown College also has degrees in Radio Broadcasting, and they have a extensive reach of classes on many technical aspects of this particular field. But if you want to be able to pick the brains of radio newscasters, DJs, or sports announcers, then it’s best to get a person-to-person experience. Several Minneapolis radio schools and similar programs match students in radio with the mentors for continued learning. Minneapolis Radio School provides one-on-one private instruction from local broadcast professionals. Learn from an on-air radio professional at the Radio Connection in your home town.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Minneapolis Radio School – Finding a Modern Place in a Rich History of Minneapolis Broadcasting