- Name:
- Alecia Rider
- Major:
- Music
- Minor:
- Business
- Year:
- Senior
- Home:
- Prairie du Chien, WI
UWP is one of only two public colleges in Wisconsin with a music business program. The music program in general is outstanding with great staff. Personally, G. Dan Fairchild, Dave Cooper, John Marco and Matt Gregg have been the greatest influences on me and my musical development. The staff has enormous patience and immense style.
I did an internship this past summer in Nashville as a tour press publicist for a public relations company. Since Nashville is where I hope to continue my career as an artist manager, this was extremely important to me. I was able to work with national and internationally acclaimed musicians, such as country artists Aaron Tippin, Little Texas, and The Kentucky Headhunters.
For the past three years, I have been the Acoustic Wednesdays program assistant and event/artist coordinator. This has given me the chance to form great relationships and contacts with many artists. I was the talent coordinator for the Badger Camp Telethon this year. I also freelance as a music business consultant, publicist and manager.
I get a good laugh when I think of all the time I have spent in the practice rooms. I think I know every crack in those rooms! The marching band is personally significant to me, as I was a section leader for two years and watching my own leadership development has been a huge asset. We have performed at Lambeau Field for a Packers’ game and Miller Park for a Brewers’ game. I wouldn’t have had those experiences if I wasn’t at UWP. Marching band and my development as a trumpet player has allowed me awesome opportunities even off campus. Because of my musical experiences at UWP, I was a member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, where I toured 26 states to perform. That has been the most unbelievable experience for me. Also, Pioneer Brass is an ensemble that I started three years ago with some fellow students. It just shows that the only boundaries are the ones you put on yourself.