On October 23, entertainment attorney and bass player, Bernie Resnick, visited the Mix Room at Montco to present his Sound Recording & Music Technology (SRT) Master Class on music business and law. Resnick has worked in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. His clients have included recording artists, songwriters, record producers and other in music, film and entertainment.

There more members to an artist’s team than the musicians, Resnick said. Artists need managers, attorneys, insurance advisors, music publishers and many others to support their careers. Resnick stressed the importance of making connections as the students build their teams throughout their careers.

“The people you meet now will become your network,” he said. “I still reach out to people I have worked with in the past, so keep your friends.”

Resnick walked the audience through the various categories through which artists make income: live concerts, sales and streaming, merchandising, publishing and smaller categories like neighboring rights and money overseas.

SRT major, John Coleman, is working on a project where he is releasing free music, and was recommended by a teacher to attend the Master Class to learn about copyrights. Resnick advised him to create his music so that he could protect it.

“In the U.S., you can’t protect an idea,” he said. “Rights relate to when you first wrote the work. Create a tangible product, and once you establish that you own it, it allows you to have rights and remedies.”

Hosted by the Sound Recording and Music Technology Program, Master Classes are free, open resource for Montco students and community members to meet with and learn from professionals in the music industry.