On Wed., March 16, Nashville Symphony employees Katie Conwell and Kelley Bell spoke with Belmont students regarding internships for academic credit. Conwell and Bell discussed the ways students could be involved with various projects put on by the Nashville Symphony.
Conwell began the presentation by stressing the idea that all actions come back to the company’s mission statement: “The Nashville Symphony inspires, entertains and educates through excellence in musical performance.” The Nashville Symphony focuses heavily on providing an internship experience that consists of projects catered to student interests and develops the skills and work ethic necessary for being a part of the workforce post-graduation. Conwell explained, “[as an intern] you’re never coming in and sitting at a desk with nothing to do.” Bell continued by explaining the various programs that interns would be participating in if working in the Education and Community Engagement department.
Internship opportunities can be found in the areas of Education and Community Engagement, Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Philanthropy Research (Development) and Operations. Internships through the Nashville Symphony require a minimum of 135 hours completed, the availability to work some evenings and select weekends during the season, and a detail-oriented work ethic. Various positions are available year round, with certain departments looking for interns in the fall versus the summer.
Conwell and Bell finished their presentation by informing students of part-time career opportunities with the Nashville Symphony. Career opportunities include ticket service specialists, stagehands and stewards.
In addition, the Nashville Symphony will be hosting a music business course (MBU 2895) specifically for Belmont students. The course available will be offered as a one-credit course outside of an internship in which students would be focusing on building a database to be used to make the contracting and licensing process easier. This class is scheduled to take place during Belmont’s first Summer Session.
