Love of music launches artist to California

It’s an enormous product show that takes up the entire Anaheim Convention Center, all 1.6 million square feet. Last year 95,000 people attended, and it wasn’t even open to the public. Inside the convention there are entire floors devoted to pianos, and through this sea of pianos wade musical merchants, picking out the best product for next year. In the world of musical business, the National Association of Music Merchants (or NAMM) show is a big as it gets. A global force in strengthening the music business, NAMM brings together the world’s instruments, performers, and merchandisers for an incomparable exchange of musical goods. Twice a year, summer and winter, the California-based organization hires an intern, one intern, to help.

This season, NAMM chose CSC’s own Alex Keller, a senior music business major, to help. Keller applied for the internship after Sandy Schaefer, professor of music, suggested it. Every year Schaefer takes a group of students to Anaheim, and one trip included a freshman Keller.

“My first NAMM show blew my mind” Keller said, “you couldn’t turn a corner without hitting someone who loves music.”

Keller applied for the position, attended the winter NAMM show, and finally interviewed twice before being accepted. The internship lasts six months and is paid via stipend. Keller will assist each of NAMM’s ten branches, culminating in the summer show.

Keller said, “When I realized NAMM was responsible for the show, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”

Keller has lived in Chadron since age five, and his mother sang for CSC. His father also sings, and Keller enjoys playing the saxophone, drums, and bass guitar.

“I used to go to the Old Main and watch my mom sing in the Jazz Birds,” Keller said. His upbringing spurred him to pursue a musical occupation, but he didn’t want to enter the high-competition field of performance. Music business encompasses the versatile fields of recording, music, light, and sound equipment. Compared to larger industries, the entire music merchandise world is relatively insular. It’s mass value, according to Schaefer, falls just under Sara Lee Bread.

However Keller is confident that even if he isn’t offered a position in NAMM he’ll continue with music business.

“You learn there are so many aspects in the degree; you could be doing a job you never expected.”

Schaefer, who is actually Keller’s god-father, has had one previous student intern at NAMM.

“Alex has the same personality traits as many successful people I’ve known. He isn’t snide, and he’s willing to work with everyone. I think he’ll do great.”

Keller plans to leave for Carlsbad, Calif., in mid-january. The internship runs from February first to August first. At its close, Keller hopes to be offered a job.

“I’ve always wanted to work in California,” said Keller. “My goal is to not come back.”