The Ronan Fund and Q Division Studios have joined forces to support emerging sound engineers, producers and musicians in Boston’s music scene. Together, we have developed a custom-made apprenticeship program at the studio for those who want to learn the art of recording on-the-job rather than attending college.
With The Ronan Fund’s backing, Q Division will select one aspiring sound engineer, producer or musician for an apprenticeship. The recipient will earn a paycheck while participating in the day-to-day operations of a professional recording studio – learning how to run sessions, operate equipment and communicate with other artists and producers in a creative and productive environment. In keeping with Q tradition, the apprentice will also manage the burrito orders and coffee runs. (How do you apply and what’s required? Click here!)
The goal is for each apprentice to emerge from the opportunity with hands-on experience, a broader industry network, and an understanding of the kind of work and effort it takes to succeed in the field.
The collaboration between The Ronan Fund and Q Division represents more than a partnership; it’s a community rallying around the music-makers of tomorrow. Together, we uphold the legacy of Ronan Jeannotte, a talented musician and producer who invested countless hours at Q Division and in his own studio to chase his passion. We honor Ronan by providing aspiring artists with the tools, support and guidance they require to succeed in today’s competitive recording industry.
The Ronan Fund is a non-profit organization that supports those who seek viable careers without a college degree. We help aspiring tradespeople who keep the lights on, artists who keep the music playing, and born leaders who keep our communities safe.
There are millions of college scholarships out there. The Ronan Fund is not one of them. Since our start in 2022, we have sponsored certifications, training, gear and gigs to help our recipients get down to business. And we’re changing the conversation about success, encouraging people to define it on their own terms while urging others to support them.
We are a volunteer organization that operates from a birthplace of big ideas – Ronan’s basement music studio in Maynard, Massachusetts. We’ve quickly grown into a community that encourages dreams that follow a different path. To support the Ronan Fund please visit this page.
ABOUT Q DIVISION STUDIOS:
Q Division has been an integral part of the Boston music world since the mid 80’s, providing spaces where outstanding music is produced and meaningful connections are made. Partnering with The Ronan Fund allows Q Division to do something unusual: provide a paid opportunity to learn in the same way countless engineers and producers have learned the craft, starting as a runner and learning from the bottom up.
Bandcamp page of the music Ronan recorded at Q Division: https://ronanjeannotte.bandcamp.com/
What are the requirements, and how to apply?
About the Apprenticeship:
Q Division’s and The Ronan Fund’s apprenticeship program is intense, comprehensive, and ultimately, very rewarding. Apprentices see how a professional studio is operated and learn how to run sessions smoothly – in addition to learning how to operate a vast array of equipment. Possibly the most important experience is learning how to interact with artists, producers, engineers in a creative and productive environment.
Things to know:
- An apprenticeship at Q Division is a ONE full day (10-12 hours or so) a week. It’ll take place on the same day of the week every week.
- There will also be a weekly 2 hour block for one on one educational work, providing both theoretical and hands on experience.
- Your time at the studio will be paid (minimum wage).
- The length of the program is similar to a college semester – roughly 20 weeks or so.
What does a day at the studio look like?
The day can include anything from helping set up for a session, plugging in microphones, to taking notes, to helping artists organize charts, to ordering and running for food or coffee, to helping edit drums, to painting. Every day at Q Division is totally different – so it’s hard to predict what you’ll do on any given day. Days start around 10am and are roughly 8-12 hours long.
What will you be qualified to do at the end of the apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship is not long enough to completely master all the skills involved in production – in fact, it takes a lifetime to master those skills. We think of it as an opportunity to move from nowhere on the career path to the very beginning of the career path. The hope is that it would give the opportunity to understand more about what the job looks like and what it would take to be good at it. In addition, spending time at Q Division gives the apprentice an opportunity to network and meet peers who are on different stages on this path – some connections made can lead to lifelong friendships and working partnerships.
The apprentice should be:
- Enthusiastic, responsible, humble, punctual, clean, alert, pleasant, curious, and an outgoing individual.
- A love for music and people who make music is a must! We’re looking for budding engineers, producers, and musicians – a love and patience for similar people is essential!
- The candidate should be a high school graduate, or have an equivalent certificate (GED, etc).
- The candidate should be someone who’s not planning on attending a four year college.
- The ability to follow complicated directions is very helpful!
- The ability to complete tasks on your own is also very helpful
- The ability to lift heavy equipment (30 pounds) is helpful, but not necessary.
Dates: Applications are accepted until July 12, and a decision will be made by the end July, with apprenticeships starting in August.
Please email Matt Tahaney and tell us why you’d be a great apprentice! Tell us about what you’ve been up to and where you see yourself in a few years, and how an apprenticeship at Q Division under the auspices of The Ronan Fund would help get you there! If you’re not sure how to write a good cover letter, check this out, or search for other tips and tricks online. Extra credit for a resume or a demo reel of some kind – but that’s NOT required. We look forward to hearing from you!