BMI has a long tradition of honoring and supporting the creators of all genres of music, and those who bring that music to the public. Support for future generations of musical creators has been a special focus at BMI. Following is a partial list of organizations and activities that receive significant professional or financial support from BMI.
BMI INITIATIVES
BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Offers jazz composers an environment to explore new creative avenues while honing and solidifying their skills. The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra is an outgrowth of the workshop.
BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop Allows students of musical theatre to work in a professional environment, often pairing composers and lyricists. Tony Award winners Alan Menken and Maury Yeston are workshop alumni.
BMI Student Composer Awards Aids and encourages young composers of classical music, several of whom have gone on to win the Pulitzer Prize and other prestigious awards.
BMI Film Conducting Workshop A two-week course taught by conductor/composer Lucas Richman. Designed for composers who wish to refine their conducting skills, the free annual workshop is limited to eight BMI-affiliated professional film and television composers.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
International Association of Jazz Educators Supports professional jazz educators.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications Visit their web site for bios, audio clips, and interactive games celebrating the men and women who have helped create American radio.
Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) Membership includes faculty and students drawn from national academic programs in music business & technology.
National Association of Popular Music (NAPM) Holds workshops, showcases; awards scholarships for musical composition.
Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Organization supports local songwriters and hosts annual awards ceremonies honoring best in field.
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) Parent organization of the Grammy Awards, it also works to further music education in the U.S., and hosts showcases for new talent. Chapters in New York, Nashville and Los Angeles sponsor educational programs, showcase new talent, and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the music industry.
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Parent organization of the Emmy Awards, honors the best in music composed for television.
AWARDS
Austin Music Awards Held in conjunction with the annual South By Southwest convention, honors top musical talent the Austin, TX area.
Bay Area Music Awards (Bammies) Honors top musical talent in the San Francisco area.
Blues Foundation Provides valuable historical information about the blues and its creators. Honors the greats in the field with its annual Blues Music Awards.
Rhythm & Blues Foundation Supports the creators of rhythm & blues, and honors the seminal artists in the field with its Pioneer Awards.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Honors the all-time greats of rock & roll.
Songwriters Hall of Fame Honors the greats of the songwriting community, past and present.
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Holds annual competition for jazz composition & performance in conjunction with BMI.
Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies) Honors top musical talent in the Washington D.C. area.
BROADCASTING AWARDS & ASSOCIATIONS
American Women in Radio & Television Supports and honors women in broadcasting.
International Radio & Television Foundation Provides scholarships and internships to college students in broadcast communications.
Museum of Broadcasting (Chicago) Honors radio broadcast personalities with its Hall of Fame.
The Paley Center for Media (New York & Los Angeles) BMI supports seminars on composing television music; a database of programs with music contributed by BMI composers.
National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) Organization supporting African-American ownership of broadcast outlets.
National Association of College Broadcasters (NACB) Association of college-based radio and television stations.
Peabody Awards Honors the best in television, radio and cablecasting.
Smithsonian Institute Music division mounts exhibition on American music, for example, “Rock & Soul,” an exhibition-in-progress at the Museum of American History, devoted to the history of musical culture in Memphis.
Women In Music Supports and honors women in the music business.
MISCELLANEOUS
ARChive of Contemporary Music Preserves and protects copies of all recordings released since the advent of the long-playing record.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Provides ongoing programming from the classical jazz repertoire.
Young Musicians Foundation Provides encouragement and recognition to gifted young musicians through financial assistance and performance opportunities.
THE BMI FOUNDATION
The BMI Foundation, a separate, non-profit corporation, also supports a wide variety of organizations in a variety of musical genres. Detailed information about the Foundation’s activities is available on the BMI Foundation website.