Following the \'graduation\' of their first-ever intern, Western Illinois University Music Business major Tony Lapsansky, Tycoon Percussion establish a series of four-month intern positions beginning in January, 2010. With the intern program Tycoon intends to provide advanced college students with hands-on experience in the business side of music.
\"I would not be where I am today if I had not had been given the opportunity to do an internship at Percussive Arts Society (PAS) in 1993. Working as an intern allowed me to develop a network of contacts and gave me a variety of career choices within the percussion industry.”
Like David Kelley, many of today’s leading drum industry executives began their careers as musicians and entrepreneurs and most had to make the transition without a business background or formal education in the field. As the drum business has expanded in size and sophistication over the last few decades, the growing availability of college degrees in Music Business has given music students a higher level of training and a wider range of career options.
Internship positions have also improved the talent pool by bridging the gap between classroom training and on-the-job training in real-world situations with experienced mentors and advisors. Tony Lapsansky comments:
\"During these challenging economic times many companies unfortunately cut back on these kinds of programs. Tycoon Percussion views these internship opportunities as a smart and important investment towards creating well-rounded, better-trained business people for the percussion industry. From an intern’s perspective, I can say that the position provided an experience that definitely helped me develop my skills and refine my goals.”
Tycoon Percussion is currently accepting applications for its 2010 intern positions. The program is open to upper-level undergrads and post-graduate students. Interested applicants are invited to send their resumés along with a letter listing their background, qualifications and career goals to internship@tycoonpercussion.com.
Perspective interns will be contacted and interviewed by phone or in person at the PAS International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana from November 11-14, 2009.
New National Sales Manager
In related news: Tycoon Percussion USA has appointed John Cathell as National Sales Manager. This newly-created position, which reflects the significant growth that Tycoon Percussion has experienced in the United States over the past few years, will allow John Cathell to focus on continuing the development of Tycoon’s independent dealer network while managing key regional and national accounts. In addition, he will oversee Tycoon’s in-house sales team and outside sales representatives—working directly with vice-president David Kelley.
John Cathell brings a wealth of experience to Tycoon having been involved in the music industry for fifteen years as an independent musician, a sound engineer, department manager at Guitar Center, and most recently as the inside sales manager for Hohner, Inc. An avid hand percussionist, John Cathell sees his position with Tycoon as both a culmination of his career in the business and a return to his roots:
\"Hand drums are my first love. Being able to pursue my passion by working with one of the world’s fastest growing, most progressive hand drum companies brings me full circle.”
