School of Thought
Legendary hip-hop artist Black Thought leads a four-day workshop for emerging and young professional MCs (ages 18–35) that culminates in a showcase by the invited participants. Over the course of the workshop, participants will explore the history of hip-hop and examine the technical skills employed by the genre. Invited MCs should come prepared to workshop their music, focusing on lyricism, flow, style, and delivery. Black Thought will equip participants with tangible exercises to improve their overall artistry. This exploration will give participants the opportunity to hone their technical abilities and continue to craft their individual sounds. The workshop will also provide participants with invaluable insight into Black Thought’s outstanding career of more than two decades as well as opportunities to reflect on how one can achieve and sustain artistic excellence.
Timeline
- Application Open: August 9, 2021
- Application Deadline: September 14, 2021
- Invited Participants Notified: September 30, 2021
- Program Duration: This event has been postponed to a later date.
Application Requirements
All materials should be submitted electronically through Acceptd, a digital audition platform for performing arts schools and programs.
- Biography (100–150 words)
- Current Headshot
- Audition Videos
- Please download the beat in the application and upload a freestyle no longer than one and a half minutes with your completed application.
- In a video of two minutes or less, tell us how you want to improve your artistry and what you hope to get out of the Black Thought Master Class.
- In a video of two minutes or less, share some of your aspirations and long-term goals as an artist.
Eligibility
The Black Thought Master Class is open to emerging and young professional MCs (ages 18–35) who are fulltime US residents.
When it reopens in October 2021, Carnegie Hall is committed to having a fully vaccinated building, including within our concert venues, Resnick Education Wing, offices, and all other spaces on our premises. This policy will enable our programs to operate at full capacity while looking after everyone’s health and safety. Therefore, all applicants selected for the School of Thought Master Class will need to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 using a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to enter the building. We will be sending detailed guidelines once artists are accepted to the program. In the meanwhile, we are happy to answer any questions that you may have now about these new protocols.
Practical Information
There is no fee to apply. Invited participants are expected to arrive in New York City the day before the workshop begins and depart the day after it concludes. Shared hotel accommodations are provided, if needed. Carnegie Hall can defray the cost of round-trip travel to New York City for those beyond a 50-miles radius. For select itineraries, flights may be arranged by Carnegie Hall, or if arranged by participants, will be eligible for reimbursement of up to $500.
Accessibility
Carnegie Hall and the Black Thought Master Class are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities. The Black Thought Master Class welcomes qualified applicants with disabilities, whether or not they need reasonable accommodations. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs reasonable accommodations to complete this application, or if you have questions regarding reasonable accommodations, please contact workshops@carnegiehall.org.
Applications are now closed.
For application and program questions, email workshops@carnegiehall.org.
For Additional Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn About the 2020 Black Thought Master Class