Building the Band: Music Industry Veteran Victor C. McKertich Leads Artist Development Workshop at The Music School Bangalore

There is a hard truth every working musician eventually learns, talent alone is not enough. Building a sustainable career in music takes branding, professionalism, planning, and a real understanding of the business that surrounds the art. It was exactly this gap, between musical ability and career success, that Victor C. McKertich set out to address when he brought his artist development workshop, "Building the Band," to The Music School Bangalore on 25th July 2026. For students at TMSB, it was a rare opportunity to learn directly from someone who has spent over two decades working within India's independent music industry.

Learning From Industry Experience

Victor C. McKertich is the Founder and CEO of GIGMELIVE Events, and brings more than 25 years of experience across the music industry as a musician, music educator, live sound engineer, event producer, and artist development mentor. His work centres on a clear mission, to strengthen India's independent music ecosystem and equip artists with the practical tools they need to build lasting careers. It is a philosophy that aligns closely with the approach at The Music School Bangalore, that musicians deserve not only opportunities to perform, but also the knowledge, structure, and professional support to turn their talent into a sustainable profession.

Inside the "Building the Band"

Workshop Held on The TMSB Stage, "Building the Band" was designed to bridge the gap between musical talent and career success, focusing on the practical realities of the music business that are often left out of a traditional music education. Across the session, students were guided through the essential building blocks of a professional music career, including branding and artist identity, band dynamics, live performance preparation, professional documentation, networking, career planning, and long-term artist development. These are the skills that distinguish musicians who dream of a career from those who build one, and hearing them from an experienced industry professional made the lessons especially valuable. For students preparing to step into the professional music world, the workshop offered a practical roadmap for what it takes to succeed beyond the rehearsal room.

Why Industry Workshops Matter at TMSB

At The Music School Bangalore, we believe a complete music education extends far beyond technique. Alongside our structured, internationally recognised qualifications, we are committed to connecting students with the working professionals, mentors, and industry figures who shape the real world of music. Workshops like "Building the Band" give students something a curriculum alone cannot, direct access to real industry experience and the practical knowledge of those who have navigated the music business first-hand. It is one of the many ways TMSB works to develop not just skilled musicians, but complete, career-ready artists. This is the same philosophy behind our weekly Friday Live Drive performances on The TMSB Stage, and our monthly TMSB Open Stage, a free platform for independent musicians across Bangalore. We believe musicians grow through real experience, on stage, in the studio, and in conversation with the people building the industry around them.