Here’s the latest video from MRC member Hunter Bruton’s group, Dark Matter!

For this weeks Monday May Music Madness Update we want to remind you about our Battle of the Bands on May 19th. Get your band together, and make sure to register with the form here and drop it off at the MRC with a demo by April 28th! The winner of this contest will get an opening gig at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion during Fridays after Five – so sign up and get practicing! This opportunity is just too good to pass up.

Also, as a reminder, join our Facebook event for more updates and invite your friends!

To keep up with our Monday updates for May Music Madness, we’re sending a reminder today on the hip-hop and dance night on May 13th at the Tom Tom Festival Community Day. If you’re a hip-hop artist (group or solo), or if you perform any kind of dance (including step) – sign up. We want you and your talent to be there!

Please fill out this form and bring it in to the MRC by April 28th to get in on this night of madness.

Also, to help promote our May events, join the Facebook event here and invite your friends!

We have the winners from our first ever “Design Our CD Cover” contest! The contest was open only to members of local after-school programs with both the winner and runner-up coming from the Computers4Kids program.  Entries were judged by design experts at Journey Group.  So without further ado, winners are:

First Place and winner of $200 is Tyberious Conn:

The judges comments: I like the cut and paste motif. This has a mixed-media feel. Nice layering. Interesting, yet simple, typography. Unfortunately, some of these images are low resolution, though I think it adds to the overall low-fi effect.

Second Place and winner of iTunes gift cards is Romel Jones:

The judges comments: I like the simple layout. Well balanced. Clever use of the MRC logo.

Congratulations to Tyberious and Romel! Make sure to come see the design in person at our 2012 CD release party on May 24th!

As a reminder for each of our exciting musical events during the month of May Music Madness, we will be posting each Monday about the individual performances and what you can do now to register. Remember, you can find the entry form here.

Our first event on Friday May 4th is all Jazz and Acoustic. If you’re a singer songwriter, if you consider your music to be jazz, or really just anything other than rock or hip-hop, then sign up! This is probably our most broad category, and we want to see your talent. Remember, you don’t have to be an MRC member to perform.

Make sure to sign up by April 21st – the line up will be announced the 25th.

Join the event on facebook and help spread the word!

During the month of May, the MRC is bringing four weekends of music, music and more music. And we’re looking for members (and non-members, as long as you’re in 7th – 12th grade!) with talent to perform during this month of madness at one of our diversely themed nights.

The first weekend of May Music Madness is a Jazz and Acoustic night on Friday May 4th. If you play jazz or if you’re a singer/songwriter and consider your music to be acoustic, then sign up!

The next weekend, on May 13th, is our hip hop and dance showcase. Any dance or step teams as well as hip hop artists are encouraged to fill out our entry form. We want to see you there!

The third weekend, on May 19th, is our Battle of the Bands competition. Get the band together and fill out our form, because the first prize for the competition will be an opening gig at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion during Fridays After Five – you really don’t want to miss this chance to get your band’s music out there!

Finally, on May 24th, the MRC will be having our annual CD Release Party – we want all members on our CD to be there to celebrate another incredible album. Bring friends!

The MMM Entry Form can be found here- it can be used for any of the three themed nights of performance. Fill it out soon and drop it off at the MRC to get involved in this month of pure madness.

Help us spread the madness and join our event on Facebook. Can’t wait to see you there!

Our interview with Elie marks the first in a series of interviews with our Fame Track I members. Through these interviews, we hope to bring to light the stories and hard work behind our members’ music.
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Elie Butoyi is a first generation immigrant from Tanzania, Africa. He first became involved with the Music Resource Center approximately three years ago, and when he first arrived he spoke almost no English. He had limited exposure to American music in Africa but was familiar with many of the popular artists from Radio One broadcasts in his native country. During his years working with the staff of MRC, Elie honed his skills in beat production and used rapping as a way to increase his fluency in English. Elie was selected as the 2011 MRC Member Of The Year due to his relentless dedication to becoming a better musician, his always courteous and positive demeanor with other MRC members, and his willingness to be an ambassador to our program by introducing other teenagers to the MRC. We sat down with Elie to talk about his love of music, what inspires him and what his future goals are.

Read the full Interview with Elie

We will be closed Monday, February 20th for Presidents Day. Have a great holiday!

Make plans to join us for an awesome evening of music on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 5-7 pm for the MRC’s End-of-the-Year Jamboree! The event is FREE and open to the public. Come hear some of the best rising talents in Charlottesville— our members— perform. The studio will be open for people who are interested in becoming members to tour. We’ll also be serving up snacks and hot apple cider.

If you are an MRC member and want to perform at the Jamboree, sign up in person at the MRC or e-mail us. Performance spots are limited! Thanks to MRC member, Olivia Langan, for making the event poster for us.