During the last three years I have worked with student high school concert journalists. Several amazing students have contributed articles, photos, and blog posts. At two national conventions, students have co-presented to enthusiastic audiences. It seems that high school students enjoy music.
These screaming Mayday Parade fans at the 2012 Vans Warped Tour could provide insight for increasing online student journalism participation.
Eventually, we want to connect our national network into a magazine or some other format so that our national strength is represented. Concert publicists must publicize their event or artist. A student who represents a single student publication is not as impressive a student who represents thousands of schools and millions of potential viewers. JEA already connects thousands of schools, but we do not have traditional circulation numbers.
Students seem to understand social networks better than educators. JEA appears small. JEA does not seem social. We are not perceived as a network. Outsiders cannot see our listserv. We do not have live web links for our national conventions. How do we create an online presence when our work exists in real life?
Must our membership scream louder?
For those of you interested in music journalism, what do you want to learn? Why do you want to be closer to the music?
I have included a link to a recent Vans Warped Tour show. Even after the show, there is a great deal to see.
Written By: Bryan Farley
